Free Republic

(Please read before posting.) Informed people know that it is going to take more than just a team of new leaders to save the USA, if it is still possible. It is being said that repentance needs to begin with the Christians, with the Church. Of course, the importance of repentance is relevant to all people. The next purpose of this article is to encourage the American people to see the need for electing the right leaders in all levels of our American government. Responsible citizens are focused on campaigns and the pending results of this November election. When considering...

Pray to God to preserve the First Amendment. Hundreds of residents took to a high school football field Friday night to collectively bow down and pray — a massive response to atheist activists’ recent accusations that a local school district is guilty of at least two violations of the separation of church and state. But the prayer event wasn’t the only noteworthy response to secularists’ complaints, as local resident David Hoover placed three large Christian crosses on land he owns across the street from Licking Valley High School in Newark, Ohio — 10 to 13-foot symbols intended to send a...

Do Democrats know the difference between fascism and liberalism? Apparently the Mayor of Houston, Ms. Annise Parker, is incapable of separating her own sexuality – her fragile sensibilities and biased opinions – from the rights of others who disagree with homosexuality and/or gay marriage. What’s even more offensive, or better yet bewildering, is that she actually demanded local pastors turn over their sermons and personal correspondence for examination. Excuse me?!!! For examination by the gay Gestapo in this Constitutional Republic known as the United States of America?!!! Is Ms. Parker a Pontiff, a Governor of Rome, Nero? Yes, Houston’s Mayor...

I am a Muslim, but I wasn't always. I converted to Islam in November 2001, two months after 9/11. I was 21 and living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a bad time to be a Muslim. But after four years of studying, poking and prodding at world religions and their adherents, I decided to take the plunge. I am the product of a Creole Catholic and an Irish atheist. I grew up Catholic, then was agnostic, now I'm Muslim. My journey to Islam began when I was about 15 years old in Mass and had questions about my faith....

Pope Francis leads the synod of bishops in Paul VI's hall at the Vatican October 6, 2014. Pope Francis opened a global Roman Catholic assembly on Sunday showing his apparent irritation with Church leaders who have waged a sometimes bitter public battle between progressives and conservatives on family issues. A recently released midterm report from the Synod of Bishops on the family, which defended the traditional definition of marriage but used positive language towards same-sex couples in some situations, has garnered controversy among some bishops who say it does not accurately reflect the assembly's views. "In regard to homosexuality, there...

Churches have received subpoenas issued by the city of Houston demanding copies of sermons. Houston is probing opposition to a ballot referendum pertaining to an ordinance proposing a local discrimination law affecting gays. (Bryan Preston posted this summary of the lawlessness taking place in Houston.) Over 50,000 petition signatures were gathered opposing the ordinance. Now the city, run by the first openly gay mayor, Annise Parker, is retaliating and demanding that churches turn over sermons. You read that correctly. This is the sort of government behavior that used to be confined to two-bit third-world regimes. The gay rights movement was...

by Randy Alcorn In times of doubt, difficulty, and trials, our fundamental beliefs about God and our faith are revealed. So how can Christians find faith in the midst of doubt? How can they trust God’s plan when their lives seem out of His control, and prayers seem to go unanswered or, as it sometimes feels, even unheard?If you or someone you love has been there, these questions may be far more personal than theoretical. You might ask questions like these: Is God good? Is He sovereign? Does He care?When we’re assailed by trials, we need perspective for our minds and relief...

The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, punished one of its own veteran police commanders for his refusal to attend a Muslim religious service being held at a mosque he said practiced radical Islamic dogma, according to court records. He also "dared" to refuse to order his officers to visit a mosque he alleges has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Obama Nation's multicultural society has become so politically correct and otherwise obtuse that words and phrases are used in any odd ways that may be desired -- just as Humpty Dumpty did. "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." "The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master—that's all." Here are a few examples and explanations.Religion of peace. Amish? Quakers? Of course not: it's Islam. Although the Islamic State, according...

I've always felt as if I've known renowned Christian apologist Josh McDowell through his many excellent books, but I finally got to meet him in the flesh, and what a blessing it was. As I mention in my latest book, "Jesus on Trial," I read his book "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" many years ago as I was seeking God and was impressed by his comprehensive treatment of so many issues that trouble skeptics. He is nothing if not thorough; he leaves no stones unturned in his exhaustive presentation of numerous topics concerning the authenticity of Christianity's truth claims. Josh...

Catholic bishops are... saying gays have gifts to offer the church and that there are "positive" aspects of a couple living together with being married....

Religion is such an important force in the world. So how well do we really understand it? What are the major religions in the world? Where are their adherents located? Check out these 11 fascinating maps and learn something new! You can click on any map to enlarge it.

Contrary to what some would have us believe, there is an ongoing war against religion in general and Christianity in particular underway in our country. For years we have seen the surface action. Under the guise of a twisted and corrupted interpretation of the First Amendment, Christianity has gradually been forced from the public square. Christmas displays have been forced from public areas — we’ve seen the Mass of Christ reduced to “Happy Holidays. Churches have been attacked for instructing their congregations on the importance of voting their faith. Prayers at sporting events are suppressed. This strategy of attacking...

We’ve looked at religion worldwide, and we’ve looked at religion in the U.S.. This week we’re looking at religion in that former bulwark of Christendom: Europe. Where are the adherents of different religions located? Which countries are more religious, and which ones are more secular? You can click on any map to enlarge it. Enjoy!

Bill Maher is no one's idea of a disinterested scholar on religion. He's long been the loudest, most obnoxious barroom brawler for atheism. What makes his argument toxic is that it isn't an intellectual defense of atheism. It is a sophomoric, boorish attack on religion, wholly dependent on yuk-yuk lines. These attacks have drawn little attention of late, perhaps because he's so predictable, but in the last few weeks, Maher has drawn new attention for singling out Islam as the worst of all them all. He almost sounded pro-Christian (by comparison) in a surprisingly contentious PBS interview with Charlie Rose...

In my last article, I explained the Judeo-Christian understanding of the Antichrist, and that he will somehow be intertwined with Israel, and more specifically, Jerusalem.Because Islam borrowed a great deal from Judaism and Christianity, it is not surprising that they too have a figure with a messianic complex—the Mahdi, or the Guided One.Muslims see the Mahdi as a savior who will lead a global revolution and establish a worldwide Islamic empire. The Mahdi will rule the earth as the final Caliph of Islam (a caliph is both a political ruler and a spiritual representative of Allah on earth).Muslims revere Jesus...

It is both awkward and encouraging the feedback I have received over the past few years for the writing I have done during my beloved’s illness, homegoing, and absence. I especially rejoice when I hear that the things I have written have served another in a time of hardship. It remains my intention to use what I have written in a book in the future. That said, I still believe that the most vulnerable, most insightful, most helpful thing I wrote all along this journey was this brief tweet: I wish I had held her hand more — R.C. Sproul Jr....

The folks in the drama department at Cape Fear Community College are just fine with staging productions about rape and incest. But when it comes to staging a show with Christian themes – well, that’s a problem.So says Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious advocacy group that claims the school’s drama instructor ordered a student to “dumb down” the religious nature of an upcoming production because it might offend and anger people. ADF attorney Travis Barham wrote a letter to the college alleging that drama instructor Jack Landry told Justin Graves he “could not support the overtly Christian show” because the...

I would prefer to be turning my gaze to a new subject, but reality keeps yanking me back. In the last few weeks, the government of the State of California, acting through the California State University, has announced that Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and any other religious groups now have second-class status at public universities. All campus groups must permit any campus member into the leadership of their organizations. Jewish groups cannot require their leaders to be Jews. Christian groups cannot require that their leaders adhere to Christian beliefs. The Supreme Court permitted public universities to declare this...

I opened a recent TIME Magazine (9/29/14) today and saw in big bold words a quote from British Prime Minister David Cameron on ISIS: “They are not Muslims. They are murderers.” With all due respect to the Prime Minister---they are Muslims, and they are murderers. Our president said something similar after the beheading of American James Foley in August. “ISIL speaks for no religion. No just God would stand for what they did yesterday, or what they do every day. No faith teaches people to murder innocents” (presstv.com, 8/20/14). It’s news to ISIL that they have nothing to do with...