Because of the CHRISTmas holiday, much of the political world slowed down. We ask you that you remember Pastor Saeed who is an American Citizen held hostage in Iran on account of his Faith. This is the second Christmas that his wife and two children celebrated without him. 

We also want to report the good news that A&E has lifted their suspension of Phil Robertson.

     Once a year at Christmas time we remember the birth of Jesus. Typically Christmas involves some level of gift exchanging. People have different opinions about how much you should give. Some people spend a lot of money while others choose to keep it simple. Presents at Christmas time remind us of the greatest gift in all the world; Jesus Christ. God sent His Son to be our Savior.

     You may have heard it said that you can not love without giving. You can give and not love, but when you love someone you will want to give to them. It may be your time, your attention, a tangible gift etc. God gave us His Son because He loves us. 1 John 4:9-11 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." When I think about God's love for me, I'm overwhelmed that He would send His Son. It's such an amazing wonderful event, we should celebrate it all year!

Merry Christmas!
~Holly

This week two more states were added to the growing list that allow same-sex "marriage". Both Utah and New Mexico were force to legalize it under a decision in the Court. Utah has appealed to a higher Court hoping that their ban - passed by 64% of the people- will stand. Under Case Law and Precident Utah has a solid case, - but in recent years the Court has been ignoring precident. 

This last week A&E suspended Phil Robertson for some controversal comments. Robertson had been asked what he believed was sin, and following the Bible he included homosexuality as a sin. He also included drunkard and adulterer, openly adminting that he had been both before he became a Christian. He ended noting the hope in Christ to overcome sin. Despite the obveous reliance on the Christian view of sin, A&E and many other groups have declared Robertson to be bigoted. The truth is Robertson merely stated his agreement with the Bible. 

A&E had the Constitutional right to suspend Phil Robertson, but that does not make the suspension right. The suspension shows on the part of the TV network, a dislike for the foundational principle of America - Free Speach and Debate. This suspension is about more than freedom of speech - or about more than freedom of association. It is about whether the American People are going to accept the rights of others to believe differentally. I have been attacked for stating that this suspension is a attack on freedom of speach, but it is, for although A&E has no requirement to affirm his right, they have shown a distaste for his right.

A&E suspension will also not change the verses that Robertson quoted.

In 1848, the Communists published a manifesto detailing what they wanted to accomplish. In 1933, the Humanists also published a manifesto detailing what they wished to accomplish. It took the Communists 69 years to gain Russia; it took the Humanists 30 years to see the beginning of the implementation of their plan in America. Both groups set forth a specific offensive goal, and both made great lengths to achieve that goal in a short amount of time. As the saying goes, “the best defense is a good offense.”

Today, American Conservatives are on the defensive, and losing ground quickly. During both Democratic and Republican administrations, America has headed toward destruction. Conservatives need a written plan of what we believe, what we envision, and our goals for America. As King Solomon once said, “Without a vision the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)

A scepter of choice is haunting America- the choice between freedom and slavery. In the next few years America must decide whether to embrace the totalitarian welfare state, or the Government of traditional America. Conservatives believe four main things, although these things often come with limitations. Firstly we believe that all human life is equal in value and worthy of protection. Second that all individuals have the rights of life, liberty and property and the right to defend these things, without major government interference. Thirdly, that every man and women can achieve great things through hard work and determination. Finally, that all humans have the propensity to do wrong, and that it is this propensity that sometimes requires Government intervention.

The rational behind each of these four things can be found easily in an elementary study of philosophy. From these four things combined flow the Constitutional roles of Government. The belief in the value of humanity leads to the idea that the destruction of a human life –from conception to natural death- is wrong. If all humans are equally valuable, then all humans should be equally protected under the law. Because humans have the ability to do evil, government must set up moral boundaries, (i.e. do not steal) and reaffirm moral norms. These moral norms keep society from harming itself and protect individuals as they practice their rights to freedom of speech, press, bearing arms, or religion.  Because every person is equally valuable, each person has the right to life, liberty, and property. These rights lead naturally into the rights of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to set up a business in a competitive, capitalistic market setting. If people can achieve great things through diligence, and people have the right to property than logically it is not the government’s job to ensure that each person has food, clothing, and housing. It is the right of the individual to work towards providing for himself and also the individual’s right to help those in need.

The absence of these beliefs leads to liberalism. If humans are not equally valuable from conception to natural death, then death panels, euthanasia, and abortion should all be promoted. If human life is not valuable, it should give way for something that is – the earth. Only in a mindset that human life is not valuable do we get to a point where people advocate the harming of mankind in order to “save” the earth. If humans do not have the right to life, liberty, and property, then excessive taxation and socialism is not repulsive. Indeed, government intervention could keep “greedy” business owners from destroying the earth.  If man has no right to property than taking property away and “spreading the wealth around” is not repulsive. If people do not have the right to property nor the ability to achieve things through hard work, then the Government should see that everyone has adequate food, clothing, and shelter. If individuals do not have the ability to achieve then it must be assumed that those who are successful have become successful through theft. Thus the Government should employ high taxation in order to “spread the wealth around.” The government should supply the needs of individuals, from cradle to grave. If we take away the idea that all humans have the ability to do wrong, then we find ourselves in a world were everything is all right, as long as it does not hurt anyone else. The destruction of the traditional family, the push to legalize drugs, all arise from this ideology.

The foundational beliefs or Conservatism are under attacks in several ways. Throughout Europe socialized medicine is in full swing, in these countries the Government takes in to account the likely length of life of each person before providing medical treatment, in so doing they devalue the life of the ill. Socialized medicine is the stated goal of many of our opponents. When owners of businesses, such as Hobby Lobby, are told that they must pay for something that they believe entails murder, their freedom to religion, and ultimately everyone’s freedom, is being assaulted. When a man, such as Phil Robertson, states what he and half the population of America believes and he is put on indefinite hiatus because of that belief, it is evidence that Freedom of Speech is under attack. When business is taxed to the point where companies go under, the idea that man has the ability to earn his own living is destroyed. When College students leaving school, believe that morality is an illusion, the foundation of the final principle of Conservatism is under siege, for if there is no right and wrong, that criminal legislation and criminal prosecution is unnecessary.

The foundational beliefs of Conservatism are logical, but Conservatives need to explain, what we believe, defend what we believe, and set forth a game plan. Conservatism needs to stop being on the defense, and begin to play offensively. We need to stop, waiting for the attacks of our opponents, and begin to fight back. We are in this for the fate of America. If we are not in this to win, why are we even playing?

In the last two weeks devastating developments have happened around the country for marriage. Before this week 17 states had legalized same-sex "marriage." Three by the will of the people and four by the legislatures, and the rest by judicial fiat. This week added 2 more states - Utah and New Mexico- to the horror of many residents of these states. In both states a court ruled bans unconstitutional. In Utah the same-sex marriage ban had been passed by the people.

Mayor Mia Love expressed her horror at the overruling of the ban on same-sex marriage:
"I am disappointed in today's ruling by Judge Robert J. Shelby. Judge Shelby used his position on the federal bench to override the will of Utah's voters, who have defined marriage in our state constitution as a union between one man and one woman. Amendment 3, which Judge Shelby's ruling strikes down, passed by an overwhelming vote in Utah: 65.9% to 34.1%. I am hopeful that the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals will reverse this activist ruling by allowing states—not the federal government—to define marriage within their borders." 


Sadly there are only 31 states left that hold to the traditional, biblical view of marriage. 
"Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." - Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6


Last week a new attack on marriage arose; Utah's polygamy ban was ruled unconstitutional in Brown v. Buhman. this is the first time in American history a ban on polygamy was ruled unconstitutional. Throughout case law, polygamy is seen as vile, for in the words of the Supreme Court, "[Polygamy] degrades women." In three different Court cases the Supreme Court affirmed that polygamy is invalid; Reynolds vs. United States, Davis vs. Beason, and Murphy vs. Ramsey. Thankfully in order for Polygamy to become legal in any state these cases would have to be overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States. Despite this Brown v. Buhman makes clear a new danger for the American family.


As the Supreme Court has declared;

Moving forward, Senator Corker's opposition to the treaty will serve as a significant barrier to ratification of the CRPD in 2014 and beyond.  We applaud Senators Corker and Alexander for their position protecting the Constitution, national sovereignty, and parental rights.

Read the full statement:
Corker: Advocating for U.S. Disability Rights Abroad Should Not Come at the Expense of the Constitution

UPDATE: Thanks to the rapid response from homeschooling families across Ohio, Sen. Cafaro has requested that SB 248 be suspended and withdrawn.  Click here to read her statement.

The Home School Legal Defense Association calls it the "worst-ever homeschool law proposed in Ohio."

Senate Bill 248, introduced by State Senator Capri Cafaro, would require all homeschooling parents to undergo a investigation that would determine if the family would be allowed to homeschool.

According to HSLDA's Michael Donnelly:
"Social workers would have to interview parents and children separately, conduct background checks and determine whether homeschooling is recommended or not. If it is not recommended, parents would have to submit to an “intervention” before further consideration of their request to homeschool."

Read HSLDA's summary of the bill, as well as important background information about the tragic circumstances that led to the bill's introduction, by clicking here.

To stay updated on SB 248, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

As we approach the CHRISTmas season things begin to slow down, this last week has been no exception. 

This week a District Court judge cited homosexual marriage to rule Utah's anti-polygamy law Unconstitutional. This law has been ruled Constitutional at the Supreme Court, so this ruling will not change Utah law, but it does indicate a major shift in the thinking of Amerca. In Reynolds vs. United States and others the Supreme Court ruled laws against Polygamy constitutional. In one instance the Court stated; 
"Bigamy and polygamy are crimes by the laws of all civilized and Christian countries. They are crimes by the laws of the United States, and they are crimes by the laws of Idaho. They tend to destroy the purity of the marriage relation, to disturb the peace of families, to degrade woman, and to debase man. Few crimes are more pernicious to the best interests of society, and receive more general or more deserved punishment." -Davis vs. Beason
The decision this week of a judge to defy the rulings of the Supreme Court signals a dangerous shift for the American Family and our Republic.

The State of Michigan officially passed the Abortion Insurance opt out. This made Michigan the 24th state to enact this law, opting out of the abortion funding in Obamacare. After Governor Snyder vetoed the bill last year, Right to Life of Michigan used a process in the States Constitution to basically override the veto of the Governor. In order to do this Right to Life gathered over 300,000 signatures, and then set the bills to the state Congress, where they passed with an almost party line vote. Opponents of the bill are seeking a ballot referendum in November 2014.

This Thursday, December 12, a House Foreign Affairs joint subcommittee will hold a hearing on American Pastor Saeed Abedini. He has been wrongfully imprisoned in Iran for over a year.

TAKE ACTION now and contact President Obama to demand Pastor Abedini's release.  Secretary of State John Kerry made a deal with Iran last month but neglected to demand the release of Pastor Abedini.

As the House prepares for this hearing,  send a quick email to President Obama.

Pastor Abedini, who lives in Idaho, has been held in a horrific Iranian prison for more than a year after he was arrested there for sharing his Christian faith.  Due to brutal beatings he is in need of medical attention. 

At Thursday's hearing, testimony will be offered by Pastor Abedini's wife, Naghmeh Abedini, and Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), an organization which has been representing Pastor Abedini in this matter.  The White House will be watching this hearing and paying especially close attention to the emails and calls they receive about Pastor Abedini.


To learn more about Pastor Abedini's plight, please visit this link from the American Center for Law and Justice. 

This last week two major things happened in relation to the Court. A Catholic hospital was sued for refusing to discuss abortion and Liberty University was denied an appeal of their lawsuit to the 4th Circuit. 

The ACLU filed charges on behalf of a Michigan women against the Catholic church, because one of their hospitals complied with Catholic standards, by refusing to discuss abortion as an option for a pregnancy. Mercy Hospital was fully in their legal right to deny abortions, since Mercy being part of the Catholic church believes that abortion results in the death of an unborn child.

As ObamaCare continues to roll out Americans continue to be shocked. People, who relied on their insurance, have lost their coverage. The family of a 6 year old cancer patient was shocked to learn that their plan was among the ones that did not comply with the HHS standards. This family is not the only ones who have lost coverage, thousands of Americans have recieved such notices. Many of these Americans find that purchasing new care would increase costs, or that they cannot get plans that cover the care that they need. Many who we perfectly happy with their care are angry to see it lost.