(Akiit.com) Such was our founder’s belief in the preeminence of God that when the First Continental Congress convened in 1774, Massachusetts delegate Thomas Cushing suggested to the assembly that together they pray for divine guidance and protection.

The historical events that would forever change the world were preparing to unfold: war loomed on the horizon; the Declaration of Independence would be signed, and a nation “conceived in liberty” would be born. In this moment, men of varied religious beliefs — Presbyterians, Episcopalians, some Quakers, others Baptists or Congregationalists – were led in prayer by an Episcopal priest in an appeal to the almighty that was described as “extraordinary…filling the bosom of every man present.”

It would not be the last time the founders appealed to the Almighty God.

James Madison acknowledged God’s favor in our founding in Federalist 37 referring to “a finger of that almighty hand, which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution.” I dare say that men like Madison and Cushing would not recognize the America of today, filled with politicians afraid to confess their faith or educators fearful of offending the sensibilities of their students with any mention of God.

Math teacher Brad Johnson of Westview High School of the Poway School District in San Diego, California, is a case in point.

In 2007, Westview Principal Dawn Kastner ordered Johnson to remove banners hanging in his classroom because they contained the words “God” and “Creator.” According to media reports the banners, which had hung in his classroom for 25 years, measured approximately 7 feet long by 2 feet wide and carried the phrases: “In God We Trust,” “One Nation Under God,” “God Bless America,” “God Shed His Grace on Thee” and “All Men Are Created Equal, They are Endowed by Their Creator.”

Kastner objected to the banners, claiming that they promoted a Judeo-Christian viewpoint and might make some students feel uncomfortable. The school district agreed. Oddly enough neither Kastner nor school district officials were concerned with posters hanging in other classrooms containing Buddhist, Islamic, and Tibetan prayers or those containing anti-religious messages that might make Christians uncomfortable. What remains unclear is why those that preach diversity and tolerance seem incapable of practicing those same virtues when it comes to Christians and the role of Christian faith in our American history.

Kastner and Poway district officials might argue that they are simply enforcing the Constitution’s wall of separation between church and state. The U.S. Constitution, of course, recognizes no such wall. There are roughly 4,500 words in the original unamended document and not one of them was written to imply that God – specifically the God of Abraham – should be hidden from school children.
Read The Full Story…

(Akiit.com) I am among those who tremble when I hear people refer to “The Black Church.” Christians believe that there is only one church and the only proper description of the church is the Christian Church. However, ever since the beginning of the Christian movement, ethnic and doctrinal distinctions were made among the followers of Jesus. Many of the books in the New Testament are identified by the geographical location of the intended recipients. We therefore often refer to the Galatian Church or Thessalonian Church. In that sense this “black church” recognition of a significant number of Christians whose common identity is the African American experience is as valid within the Christian tradition as scholarly and historical references the “Roman Church” or the “Ethiopian Coptic Church.”

So my negative feelings about the term “the black church” is not in response to the word “black.” Rather it is in response to the word “the.” Whenever someone waxes eloquent about “the” black church I want to ask them which black church they mean. Historically, black churches have a common heritage being the only major branch of Christianity that emerged from a dispute related to justice and not doctrine.

The major schisms in Christian history in the 4th, 10th and 16th centuries were all related to differences in Christian doctrine. The 18th century movement of black Christians in North America, however, resulted from black worshippers refusing to be treated as less than human by their white Christian counterparts. This protest against Christian injustice by black Christians gave birth to what we now call “the black church” and every African American congregation has its roots in this legacy. The term “black church” summarizes the institutional response of black Christians in North America to the individual and institutional racism practiced by white Christians.
Read The Full Story…

(Akiit.com) Memphis, TN — Urban Radio Group LLC announces the launch of their new website and service Gospel Radio Spots (www.gospelradiospots.com). Gospel Radio Spots is a full-service voice-over production company dedicated to enhancing the brand image of churches and ministries through voice overs and audio production specifically targeting the Christian and Gospel Industry.

From advertisin your church or ministries special events to holy convocations, Gospel Radio Spots provides customized Christian and gospel radio commercials and television audio commercial production for church organizations.

Gospel Radio Spots has male and female voice over talents that understand the Christian and gospel industry thus creating a unique approach to church radio commercials, video and podcast ministries, and ministry promotions.

Gospel Radio Spots specializes in creative radio commercials, television commercials, and multimedia voice-over applications tailored for the gospel and Christian industry. With royalty-free music beds and extensive effects libraries, the production company works closely with its clients to achieve maximum results.

Denise Langshaw Advertising Consultant says, our production services are unique because we are able to take ministers audio clips, podcast sermons and enhance it to a better sound or incorporate it with one of our voice over talents for a complete radio, tv commercial or podcast opening , all we need is the pastors audio clips and or sermon.

The production company strives to be a media partner with its clients by providing high energy distinct radio and television voice-over production that captures the minds of their clients’ target audiences. In addition, customers have several choices of male and female voice over talents that can be utilized for audio production.
Read The Full Story…

(Akiit.com) As I write this, Obama has just signed an Executive Order lifting restrictions on Embryonic Stem Cell research, a move he said, rejects the “false choice” between science and morality. As well, it has been just 49 days since the inaguration and already there are grumblings among the voters who supported the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama. The ones which amaze me are the cathartic voices of the people of faith who are claiming betrayal, but even more, are the ones that are of the Ecclesiastical Order of the Church in America — Our beloved Clergy! One might ask, ‘why am I astonished at these disillusioned disciples of change?’ My bewilderment is due to what was obvious from the beginning: Barack Obama was never on your side! Never.

What does betrayal mean? Betrayal, is a form of deception or dismissal of prior presumptions; it is the breaking or violation of a presumptive social contract — trust and/or confidence — producing moral and psychological conflict within a relationship, amongst individuals, between organizations, or between individuals and organizations. Often betrayal is the act of supporting a rival group; or it can be a complete break from previously decided upon or presumed norms by one party from the other. Does that sound like what’s going on? Barack Obama has not betrayed his social contract with his followers, for if you think so, just ask, “Joe the Plumber” who would clearly beg to differ with you!

Obama let all of us know before November 4th, 2008 that socialism was going to be the first order of the day. The stimulus bill should not have surprised you at all. Government getting bigger and bigger is only Obama fulfilling his promise to his constituency for “Change.” A stimulus bill that specifically discriminates against schools by withholding funds, if they provide worship and religious space to groups on their campus, is reflective of a socialist agenda, for remember, it was Karl Marx, father of Maxist Socialism who penned, “Religion is the opium of the masses…” Betrayed?
Read The Full Story…

(Akiit.com) I received a rather rude email from a local minister who took umbrage with my failure to support Barack Obama for president. I was disappointed that rather than do what Jesus would have done and offer a reasoned and well-thought out rebuttal to my column, this man of the cloth simply called me a bunch of ugly names. I am certain this was just one of those moments a good man failed to put his best foot forward. Although something tells me he is even now wishing he had talked about my mamma. There is, I am sure, a great sermon somewhere in this episode just waiting to bust out one Sunday morning to thunderous applause. Maybe I’ll get an invitation.

The note did, however, bring to my mind a few questions I would like to ask my Christian readers. If you are not a Christian, please feel free to continue reading and if you are so moved to share your thoughts as well.

Note to all: If you wish to call me names afterwards, please limit your notes to 25 words or less and please use spell check.Americans are blessed to live in a society where we have the freedom to choose our political leaders. We have the freedom to debate, to question and to disagree, even to change our government because ultimately our leaders are beholden to “we the people.” This incredible blessing is more than America’s experiment with democracy; it is God’s gift to the world. As such we have a responsibility to be both politically involved as well as religiously faithful.

Politics, of course, demands compromise. However, as Christians, we are taught to be uncompromising. In all things we have, as a friend of mine put it, “an obligation to surrender our will to the will of Christ in our lives. One’s spiritual/religious beliefs should direct every decision that is made. There is no decision too small to surrender to God.” To help discern God’s will, we have help in the spirit that speaks to us through prayer, and scriptural study.

How then do we as Christians reconcile our religious beliefs with our support of political candidates that engage in immoral behavior? What of candidates that endorse policy that is in direct contradiction with our Christian teachings?

The Bible, of course, is full of great leaders that were guilty of huge moral failings. In many ways, the Bible is a commentary on man’s transgressive nature and the willingness of God to forgive us in spite of our failings. Christians learn early on that none of us is without blemish, that we are redeemed by faith and the grace of God. Judging a candidate based on his or her falling short seems, well, unchristian. The sins of a man’s past ought not disqualify him from leadership or public service.
Read The Full Story…