Free Republic

Equal treatment under the law is a cornerstone of our government—but one group of humans doesn’t get the same treatment as everyone else. What does being born change about a child? Speaking strictly scientifically, nothing of consequence. A child minutes before birth is the same as a child minutes after birth: same physical capabilities, same level of development, both highly dependent on others, they even look more or less the same. Both dream, suck their thumbs, respond to mom’s voice, and feel pain. But when it comes to both federal and state law, the difference between an unborn baby and...

Tonight, CNN presented a one hour television documentary special entitled “Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery.” I thought this title was inappropriate because the entire episode was about whether or not the Shroud of Turin is the burial cloth of Jesus. Thus, the title should have had “Shroud of Turin” in it or the like. CNN did some advertising of this special, so I think they were a bit deceptive about whole thing. They interviewed some scholars, including Ben Witherington III who is a friend of mine. I am always surprised by the attention given the Shroud of Turin by many...

My Savior's Hands - Lyrics (Isa. 53, Zech. 12:10, Mark 1:41, John 9:6-7; 20:20, 1 Peter 3:18, Rev. 1:7; 16-18; 22:3-5) I waited patiently for my Lord and He heard my cry He spoke to me from His precious Word and said, I am nigh And at this time, He brought me to see, His precious hands Those hands, His precious hands, were pierced right through for all our sins And when I think, on such wondrous things, O my Savior's hands Those hands, My Savior's hands, testify of all His selfless love And EVERMORE, all shall see, His precious...

Study Affirms Earth Is Uncommon and Perhaps Even Unique Msgr. Charles Pope • July 12, 2018 • A new study has been issued from Oxford University that casts doubt on the notion that there is “intelligent” life in abundance elsewhere in the universe. More on that study in a moment.Meanwhile, I have written from time to time on the question of whether there is other intelligent life in the universe. As a Catholic, I have no need for the answer to be yes or no; the Church does not teach on this one way or another. Neither do the...

ROME, July 7, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) — The demographic collapse of the West in recent decades was planned in order to create the necessary conditions to usher in a New World Order, and the authors of this collapse are now influencing the Vatican at the highest levels, the former president of the Vatican bank has said. Speaking at the first international conference of the John Paul II academy for human life and the family, Italian economist and banker Ettore Gotti Tedeschi said efforts to decrease the world’s population by globalist elites have set in motion a series of predictable and intended...

In presenting the Vatican Conference held July 5-6 to mark the third anniversary of Laudato Si, the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development announced that it has become “plastic-free” as a way of giving good example to everyone. But is this the witness that Christ has asked for?Last week, from July 5-6, a large international conference was held at the Vatican which wanted to make a big deal about the third anniversary of the publication of the encyclical letter Laudato Si. The title of the conference was “Saving Our Common Home and the Future of Life on Earth.”...

A sermon preached at the Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles Lord’s Day Morning, June 13, 2010 “And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them” (Luke 24:41-43). Oh, I know that the subject of this sermon might disturb some preachers! But they may not have studied the subject thoroughly, may not have meditated on verses about Christ’s resurrection long enough! Preachers ought to speak loud and clear...

“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...