Free Republic

“Winston kept his back turned to the telescreen. It was safer, though, as he well knew, even a back can be revealing” (1984, George Orwell). It is no overstatement to say that we stand on the brink of a technological revolution that is going to change our world forever. This technological transformation is happening right now, and we will see significant change occur, not over the next couple of decades, but within the next couple of years. Very few people in today’s busy world are aware of just how much their lives are about to change, and how unavoidable and...

Vatican City — The Vatican's secretary of state warned July 5 that humanity is facing a "possible collapse" in the Earth's ability to sustain life, as part of a two-day conference hosted by the Catholic Church to urge global leaders to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change. In an address opening the "Saving Our Common Home" event, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said there is a "clear urgency" to the task and that people around the world, "as members of the common household, need to come together." The Vatican's Dicastery for Integral Human Development is hosting the July 5-6 event among...

July 5, 2018, (LifeSiteNews) – Vatican News, the Holy See's "information system," featured former U.S. Vice President Al Gore praising Pope Francis for his “spiritual leadership” and for being a “moral force” in combating what he called a “manmade” “climate crisis.” “In particular, his papal encyclical, Laudato si, marked a crucial step for the Catholic church in leading the world to commit to addressing the climate crisis ahead of the Paris Agreement,” said Gore. “Virtually all of my Catholic colleagues and friends are thrilled to the marrow of their bones that he is providing this kind of spiritual leadership. As...

Jeffrey Sachs - one of the world’s best-known economists - is also arguably one of the world’s biggest cheerleaders of Pope Francis and believes him to be the most important moral leader in the world today. Sachs, who is not Catholic, has advised the Vatican on papal documents for over 25 years now. Despite having notable disagreements with the Church on issues such as contraception and population control, he’s accepted the call of the last three popes for people of “goodwill” to dialogue with the Church and seek common understanding.Through his work with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Sachs was...

Hillsong Church has, over the years, hardly avoided the limelight, often finding itself at the center of hotly-contested debates. Now one of its biggest leaders is running headlong into the creation debate. Joel Houston, eldest son of the Sydney-based church’s founders, lead musician in the worship band Hillsong United, and co-pastor of Hillsong Church in New York City, tweeted Monday that “evolution is undeniable.”

Charles "Chuck" W. Missler went to be with the Lord May 1, 2018. This is the funeral service celebrating the earthly ministry of an incredible man. 00:00:15 Chuck's Body Carried In 0:01:10 ♫ Aotearoa | God Defend New Zealand 0:07:18 ♫ Amazing Grace 0:10:00 Ron Matsen's Introduction 0:11:27 Ron Introduces Hal Short 0:11:58 Hal Short's Tribute to Chuck 0:16:59 Ron Introduces Ian Worby 0:17:54 Ian Worby's Tribute to Chuck 0:28:22 Ron Introduces Graham Preston 0:29:38 Graham Preston 0:42:46 Ron introduces Kathy Packwood 0:45:21 Kathy Packwood 0:50:33 Ron Matsen's Tribute 1:17:27 Ron introduces Brian Hughes 1:17:41 Brian Hughes' Eulogy 1:43:55 Brian's...

There are so many religions, let alone Christian denominations, how can anyone know what to believe?  And even if Jesus is the truth, which denomination can honestly claim to be the "closest" to the truth?  Who are the real Christians? Everything is Counterfeit Christianity For starters, it is important to understand that Judeo-Christianity predates all modern religions, beginning in the 20th century BC when Abram heeded God's call to migrate to Canaan.  His monotheistic faith not only set the stage for the Bible to be written, but also for the coming of the Messiah (the Redeemer of mankind).  Judaism proper—adherence to the...

Over 16,000 pro-life Christians have recently signed a petition asking that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be protected from drilling. The reason we are speaking out is because we are "called by God to be a steward of America's majesty." And the Arctic Refuge is one of the most majestic places in our nation. Unfortunately, the Arctic Refuge has never been more imperiled. After four decades of attempts, last year drilling proponents succeeded in attaching an amendment allowing drilling to a must-pass spending bill. Even past staunch Republican defenders of the Arctic Refuge voted the wrong way this time. Before...

The Church of England has joined the war on plastic as vicars buy cassocks made from recycled bottles. A clerical clothing manufacturer has launched the first-ever plastic cassock in a bid to make priestly clothing more eco-friendly. Butler & Butler has begun selling a men's cassock made from 100 per cent recycled polyester made from reclaimed PET bottles. The company, which specialises in fair trade and organic clerical outfits, first began selling the clothing a fortnight ago and Mr Butler says it has been popular with ethically-minded clergy. Director of the company the Rev Simon Butler said it had come...

Proverb 11 (NKJV) The Folly of Wickedness01 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, 00 But a just weight is His delight. 02 When pride comes, then comes shame; 00 But with the humble is wisdom. 03 The integrity of the upright will guide them, 00 But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. 04 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, 00 But righteousness delivers from death. 05 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, 00 But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 06 The righteousness of the upright...

(VATICAN NEWS) Pope Francis on Saturday addressed participants at a Vatican conference dedicated to the need for a transition to clean energy. Addressing some 40 participants in a Vatican conference dedicated to “Energy Transition and Care for our Common Home”, Pope Francis said “civiliazation requires energy but energy use must not destroy civilization”. The two-day conference that wrapped up on Saturday, was promoted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in collaboration with Notre Dame University. It saw the participation of senior executives of leading oil and gas companies including ExxonMobil, Eni, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Equinor and Pemex. In his...

Pope Francis has once again denounced an “ecological crisis” sweeping the world, which is allegedly producing a “growing exodus of climate migrants and environmental refugees.” The pope’s words formed part of a message he sent to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and to the participants in an International Symposium titled “Toward a Greener Attica: Preserving the Planet and Protecting its People,” taking place in Athens, Greece this week. Although the pope does not specify what he means by “a growing exodus of climate migrants and environmental refugees,” one must infer that he believes that significant numbers of...

If You Think You’re in a Hurry, You Have No Idea How Fast You’re Really Getting There Msgr. Charles Pope • June 5, 2018 • Have you been feeling a little rushed lately? Well, you might be surprised to find out how fast you’re actually moving even when you think you’re “standing still.” Earth, at the latitude of Washington, D.C., is spinning at a rate of about 750 miles per hour [1].At the same time, the spinning Earth is rotating around the Sun at approximately 67,000 miles per hour [2].And the Sun around which we move so rapidly is...

Pope Francis is hosting a gathering next week at the Vatican with executives of major oil producers and investment firms to talk about how the companies can address climate change, according to several people familiar with the event. Why it matters: It’s one of the most significant developments showing how corporations are working with other world leaders on climate change amid President Trump’s whole-scale retreat on the issue. Situational awareness: One year ago today, Trump announced his intention to withdraw America from the Paris climate deal, which now has support from every country except the United States. Three years ago,...

Proverb 28 (NKJV) The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion 01 The wicked flee when no one pursues, 00But the righteous are bold as a lion. 02 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; 00But by a man of understanding and knowledge 00Right will be prolonged. 03 A poor man who oppresses the poor 00Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 04 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, 00But such as keep the law contend with them. 05 Evil men do not understand justice, 00But those who seek the LORD understand...

The news was good. We were right on time with our list of questions and the answers made us very happy. Today we went to my wife’s doctor to get his opinion of her situation after her needle biopsy to check for breast cancer. He is very kind and almost as soon as he walked into the examination room he said to my wife, “You do not have cancer. Say that,” He waited until she said “I don’t have cancer,” before he explained that it was unfortunate that the word “carcinoma” is in the diagnosis she was read by the...

For the past few weeks my wife and I have been dealing with the possibility that she has breast cancer. Today we got a call that says most of the problem is benign BUT there is still something that has to be addressed. We see a surgeon tomorrow and we are hoping he will say any procedure that is called for can be done in a few months as we have lots of things lined up for the summer. We have prayed together about this and are taking things one step at a time. Please pray with us that we...

Proverb 21 (NKJV) The LORD Considers the Heart 01 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, 00 Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. 02 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 00 But the LORD weighs the hearts. 03 To do righteousness and justice 00 Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 04 A haughty look, a proud heart, 00 And the plowing of the wicked are sin. 05 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, 00 But those of everyone who is hasty,...

The very first post on this blog concerned a court case I had brought against a coroner, about an inquest into a death.  Since then, there has been a long, drawn-out court case against a council that occurred because a police officer took exception to some of the earlier posts on this blog, all of which are still here.  That case is presently in Strasbourg, awaiting a decision on admissibility. It looks as though I am not going to be able to escape from my duty, which seems now to be to bring another court case before long, this time against the...

Last week I and others pondered aloud the very real probability that the British medical system, with the collusion of Britain's legal system and even the Roman Catholic hierarchy in that country, murdered Alfie Evans in cold blood.  They did the deed just before he attained his second birthday, which is today.  The timing of that is no coincidence.  They appeared in a hurry to have him die before he reached his second birthday, and there is a reason as explained here. "Oh, it's just a tin-foil-hat crank conspiracy website!", one may poo-poo.  If you believe that, did you search...