Monthly Archives: July 2017

President Trump promoted his appearanceat a "Celebrate Freedom" concert honoring veterans.

He was spending the pre-Independence Day weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., but traveled back to Washington for the event Saturday night.

The evangelical megachurch First Baptist Dallas and Salem Media Group sponsored the event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. First Baptist Pastor Robert Jeffress was a strong backer of Trump during the 2016 campaign.

Overwhelming support from evangelical voters helped propel Trump to victory in 2016. Since he took office, Christian conservatives have been overjoyed by Trump's appointment of Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and his executive order directing the IRS to ease up on a rarely enforced limit on partisan political activity by churches.

The event at times felt like one of Trump's signature campaign rallies, with the president promising an adoring crowd that America would "win again" and prompting cheers with attacks on the news media.

"The fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House, but I'm president and they're not," he said.

Besides speaking to the event's religious theme, Trump renewed his campaign promise to always take care of America's veterans.

"Not only has God bestowed on us the gift of freedom, he's also given us the gift of heroes willing to give their lives to defend that freedom," he said.

Continued here:

Everything President Trump has tweeted (and what it was about) - Los Angeles Times

President Donald Trump vowed to support and defend religious liberty, telling a gathering of evangelical Christians that the threat of terrorism is "one of the most grave and dire threats to religious freedom in the world today."

"We cannot allow this terrorism and extremism to spread in our country, or to find sanctuary on our shores or in our cities," Trump said Saturday night at a "Celebrate Freedom" concert honoring veterans. "We want to make sure that anyone who seeks to join our country shares our values and has the capacity to love our people."

The evangelical megachurch First Baptist Dallas and Salem Media Group sponsored the event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. First Baptist Pastor Robert Jeffress was a strong backer of Trump during the 2016 campaign.

The event at times felt like one of Trump's signature campaign rallies, with the president promising an adoring crowd that America would "win again" and prompting cheers with attacks on the news media.

"The fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House, but I'm president and they're not," he said.

Trump appeared on a stage decorated with a massive American flag. Choirs performed "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and other hymns and debuted a song with the lyrics "make America great again" Trump's campaign slogan.

Besides speaking to the event's religious theme, Trump renewed his campaign promise to always take care of America's veterans.

"Not only has God bestowed on us the gift of freedom, he's also given us the gift of heroes willing to give their lives to defend that freedom," he said.

Overwhelming support from evangelical voters helped propel Trump to victory in 2016. Since he took office, Christian conservatives have been overjoyed by Trump's appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and his executive order ordering the IRS to ease up on a rarely enforced limit on partisan political activity by churches.

Trump was spending the pre-Independence Day weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, but traveled back to Washington for the event.

See the article here:

Trump vows to support and defend religious freedom in US - ABC News

Steve Heap, AdobeStock

Facade of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Courts Trinity decision, in which it decided Trinity Lutheran Church in Missouri deserved equal treatment when it came to federal money for playground surfacing materials, was significant.

For one thing, it was a 7-2 decision, giving it a heft that goes beyond the courts normal 5-4 ideological shift. For another, new justice Neil Gorsuch used the words free exercise of religion in his response to the opinion, noting this as a key part of the First Amendment. It was refreshing to hear such language at a time when the establishment clause, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion, seems to take precedence over the freedom to actually act on ones beliefs.

But when it comes to expert guesses about what this portends for continuing religious-freedom decisions, such as the pending case involving a Colorado baker who refused to serve a gay couple for their wedding, one thing becomes clear: Many of these sorts of cutting-edge culture-war disputes might be more appropriately handled through legislative compromise.

Unfortunately, lawmakers in statehouses and in Washington seem skittish to even attempt such a thing. The result often is that a decision pleases only one side of the debate, leaving the other determined to continue the battle until a more sympathetic court is in place.

We often tout the so-called Utah Compromise, enacted two years ago, as the gold standard in such disputes. Thats because this remarkable effort brought together Republicans, Democrats, religious leaders and leaders of the LGBT community to find a workable balance between the need to preserve religious freedom and to protect people from discrimination. It was a significant step toward peace in the culture war.

No side in that effort got entirely what it wanted, but the agreement brought all sides together and has proved effective. As a result, Utah has largely escaped the kinds of contentious legal disputes that separate these factions elsewhere.

At the time the compromise was made law, we hoped it would serve as a template for other states to follow. Legislative compromises calm angry public rhetoric and can help keep Supreme Court justices from having to make all-or-nothing decisions or parse matters in less-than-perfect ways. Unfortunately, few states have followed this lead.

The Trinity decision weakened the so-called Blaine Amendment in Missouri. James G. Blaine was a prominent Republican lawmaker in the 19th century who tried to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of public funds for parochial schools. His efforts were seen as targeting the Catholic Church and going along with anti-Catholic sentiments of the day.

He failed in Washington, but several states included such amendments in their own constitutions. Since then, these have come to be regarded by some as emblematic of the intent of the First Amendment, which is a mistake.

The courts Trinity decision was narrowly cast, so the broader effects on prohibitions against taxpayer support for religious schools is unclear. So, too, are guesses about how the court might rule in its next session in the Colorado wedding-cake case. Conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy is seen as a swing vote there, and he authored the decision legalizing gay marriage.

So the nation watches and waits; it prognosticates and wrings its collective hands. Think how much more effective it might be for states to actively settle such issues by brokering meaningful compromises that give each side a stake in the outcome and that protect the rights for all involved.

Excerpt from:

In our opinion: Religious freedom requires both legislative and judicial solutions - Deseret News

On Tuesday, America will celebrate Independence Day.

In honor of July 4th, heres what some patriots, politicians and just plain people have to say about freedom.

The winds that blow through the wide sky in these mounts, the winds that sweep from Canada to Mexico, from the Pacific to the Atlantic - have always blown on free men. Franklin D. Roosevelt

We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. Robert J. McCracken

"The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor, and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly." John F. Kennedy

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." Malcolm X

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. Erma Bombeck

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! Thomas Jefferson

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. Abraham Lincoln

"The essence of Americathat which really unites usis not ethnicity, or nationality, or religion. It is an ideaand what an idea it is: that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn't matter where you came from, but where you are going." Condoleezza Rice

Freedom is never free. Author Unknown

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. William J. Clinton

"Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country." Calvin Coolidge

My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing, Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountainside, Let freedom ring! Samuel Francis Smith

Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15. Ronald Reagan

"So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring." Martin Luther King Jr.

"Courage, then, my countrymen, our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty." Samuel Adams

Link:

July 4, 2017: Some quotes on what freedom means - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Thomas Jefferson is largely credited with writing the Declaration of Independence, agreed upon by the colonial Congress in signature and spirit.

As the Declaration circulated through the American colonies and arrived in Great Britain, the rogue American leaders became the most wanted men in the known world. War was already afoot, but this document captured the spirit and tenacity of the American Revolution.

There was no turning back. There was no king who would ever again rule over the Americans, even upon the threat of death.

The tone of speeches and articles penned by the inspirational leaders of the Revolution captured the emotions and deep feeling of many people in the colonies. At the same time, the blunt challenges to British rule were viewed as shocking insolence across the ocean.

As the worlds super power in that, age the British were confident they could crush the insurrection. But a ragtag gathering of farmers and townsfolk had other ideas at Lexington and Concord.

The war would be long, with the cause of freedom often in doubt.

America eventually gained its independence, with timely assistance from France. George Washington, the able leader of American troops, became president.

The celebrations that followed the British surrender were spirited affairs with fireworks and feasting.

While the early years of the United States were difficult, out of the debates and arguments came the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and a foundation for personal liberty and freedom that would eventually lead the nation to stand as a union, to overthrow the institution of slavery, and finally end most discriminatory practices in government and society.

The union has never been perfect, but its widely acclaimed around the world as better than anything that exists. As Americans, we have fought each other, stood up for others around the world who were persecuted, and brought an end to many tyrannical governments that oppressed and murdered millions of people.

Our strength remains in the determination and wisdom of our Founders who recognized that the Creator made all people in equal value, and that government should be for the people and by the people.

We still find the establishment and purpose of our nation an inspiring story that continues to play out. No one person has control over the lives of Americans because our direction and existence is a collective effort of the people. Its part of what makes the United States of America great.

Today, we hope everyone has a safe and meaningful Independence Day. Our nation remains a beacon of hope for the world and thats worth remembering and celebrating every day.

Continue reading here:

OUR VIEW: A spirit for freedom, liberty - Cullman Times Online