Free Republic

Texas state representative Bryan Slaton introduced a bill, on the 187th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, to allow Texans to vote on seceding from the United States. Yes, secession, as in the pre–Civil War abandonment. Slayton said in a tweet, "After decades of continuous abuse of our rights and liberties by the federal government, it is time to let the people of Texas make their voices heard." In fact, history teaches us that there are a few ways that this movement may be successful even without secession. First the history. Most Americans may believe that this war was...

A grand jury on Thursday accused the Archdiocese of Philadelphia of failing to stop the sexual abuse of children more than five years after a grand jury report documented abuse by more than 50 priests. The new report said a senior church official charged with investigating allegations of sexual abuse by priests had in fact allowed some of those accused to remain in posts that gave them continued access to children. It charged him with endangering the welfare of minors and accused three priests and a teacher of raping two boys between 1996 and 1999. “By no means do we...

NKorea threatens annihilation of USA; World anticipates missile... 'Gay Exorcism' in Church Causes Outrage... BUFFET: ECONOMY IN 'SHAMBLES'; NO SIGNS OF RECOVERY 500 Lose Jobs with new Tax on Cigars; Tampa plant closes... UPDATE: NY Senate Talks Fail Miserably, Chaos Ensues... $10 Million tax dollars to improve education in Cambodia... PAPER: Where Has VA Gov Kaine Been?... PAPER: 'Living more hours naked each day' has 'positive effect' on global warming... Escalating Violence Drains Chicago Blood Supply... Iowa High School football coach gunned down in weightroom...Killed by former player AFL-CIO HANDS OUT 'MADE IN CHINA' HARD HATS ON CAPITOL HILL... Monkey...

As the Episcopal Church agonized over the confirmation of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop — and now as his endorsement threatens to split the denomination — some have wondered why homosexuality is such a divisive issue in Christianity. Why don't all Episcopalians and other churches simply recognize that gay people are sexually active and move on? After all, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws this year and Canada plans to legalize same-sex marriages. The reason, in short, is the Bible — the word of God in the eyes of Christians. Until very...