A Czar, a Cross, and Prayer Chain for Liberals
President Obama's safe schools 'czar,' Kevin Jennings, is currently enemy number one for many conservative advocacy groups.
President Obama stands behind Jennings, but several conservative groups have called for his resignation. Both Jennings's history and current association are worrisome to the groups.
The Family Research Council (FRC) points out that, as a teacher 20 years ago, Jennings condoned a sexual relationship between a high school student and an older man, a situation he could have handled appropriately with "a basic understanding of right and wrong."
Jennings said in a statement this month that he had handled the situation poorly, but had not been trained to handle it well.
"Teachers back then had little training or guidance about this kind of thing," he said. "I would like to see the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools play a bigger role in helping to prepare teachers."
The organization that Jennings founded — the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which works to make schools accepting of different sexual orientations — is also causing concern. According to Focus on the Family Action, the group "turn students into lobbyists for its extreme left causes," and Jennings could enforce similar policies in schools nationwide.
Calls for his resignation are now coming from a broader conservative circle, including Sean Hannity and The Washington Times.
Lawmaking: More on Health Care and Homosexuals
Health care is still high on the priority list for many evangelical groups. Traditional Values Coalition's Andrea Lafferty supported Republican amendments that would "make this socialist bill less threatening to our liberties, our health care options, and our incomes."
In stark contrast, Steve Taylor, writing for Sojourners, called the current health care system "demonic," and called for Christians' repentance for their compliance with it.
"Do we need universal health care today?" he said. "No — we needed it before my parents and tens of thousands of others had lost their homes. We needed universal health care yesterday."
Pro-life organizations also weighed in on abortion and other issues. The National Right to Life Committee expressed concern about an amendment that would penalize doctors who provide expensive services.
The FRC also criticized a move to allow gays in the military, saying the move would reduce the strength of the armed forces, and an American Family Association "action alert" opposes hate crimes legislation, which may be included as part of a Defense Authorization bill.
Supreme Court: A Cross in the Desert
The U.S. Supreme Court resumed Wednesday over a religious liberty case: Should a cross in the Mojave Desert be removed?
Focus on the Family Action and Liberty Counsel took the opportunity to criticize the American Civil Liberties Union as extremists who want to remove all religious symbols from the public square, even symbols in the middle of the desert.
Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, expressed a different theological concern over defending the cross. Christians should be wary of an argument that the cross is just a symbol to honor soldiers, he said.
"Of all people, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ must be the first to insist that the cross is a symbol of Christian faith," he wrote. "The cross must not be reduced to a generic symbol of death and the memory of loved ones."
The Supreme Court also attracted attention from Americans United for Life (AUL) when it declined to hear a case on whether the State of Illinois had to provide a "Choose Life" license plate. In denying to hear the case, the Court affirmed that the state does not need to provide the plate. AUL said the decision allows the state to continue unfairly restrict its citizens' freedom of speech by not allowing them to obtain a plate with a life-affirming message.
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matt jones
the cross in the desert is not in siniliar respect to those on private singular burial plots. the cross even if it is in a remote region still implies federal suport of a religion that would represent persons of differentiating backgrounds. such a display is disrespectful and counterproductive to the understanding that other symbols in humanity's scope thus apply to sacrifice and willingness to defent those who can not defend themselves. muslims were participating in a day of religious celebration to reduce antagonism towards such individuals, while Christianity is not a politically endangered religion in terms of an international conflict. furthermore, attempting to link a country such as These United States to one denomination is absurd and morally bankrupt, given as how the people who made this Country great were of all different backgrounds, faiths and anumber of other unique characteristics.
wim,herman, bishop,lane, andy tucker jesus1
Commenter confuser and alt motive.The cross is on Federal property.That is simple.So must vote in congress. Christiantiy must be protected.About school security.Have active security at school not a sitting teacher. About Christian religion, Sin is not allowable but freedom to twist without science is not of God. About homosexuality, In levitcus males are not allowed to lay with another man is correct, but if another christian male loves each other then a could do a sexual act and best friendship but must be a christian.This is simple.The occult has shown up and twisted ideasThere is POWER in GREAT LORD JESUS.Zero attraction in sin.Neglect and demon posession happens.Cults know about neglecting.Suspected bullys are democrats and with racists.A lot of christian doctrines are wrong because of corruption. And some are not. Psa99:9-outside pray. Col 3:11.Faith in holiness. 1 corinth 14:26.KJV.Watchout for tricksters.Rev 12:9 -they fool us. Be ready. Come on sales at Value cFurn, Bill Ford
Wim,V.Jones,Lane, stephen, herman,bisho Andy t Christ1
Choose righteousness analyazation.Cross is on federal property. Most Christianity doctrines are correct. At school have active security not a sitting teacher. Be ready for depression and or antichristians. Christianity must be legal and protected. This should be one of the highest priority!! notice the outspoken and the caring christians. Help them. But be careful.
Austin C.
I am concerned that CT may be uncritically adopting the positions of the most vocal conservative commentators. Calling Jennings a "Czar" in concert with those critics of the Administration perpetuates the incorrect suggestion that he is occupying a position without accountability to the people. In fact he occupies a position for which he was confirmed by Congress. It is interesting that these issues were not raised when he was confirmed.
Doug Lass
On the "Adopt a Liberal" report, I believe that it is a hate filled comment about Democrats and moderate Republicans! I think that both very liberal Democrats and very conservative Republicans believe that their own views are of the mindset of "it's my way or the highway"! Jesus himself said the most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself, but the more conservative Republicans and the more liberal Democrats obviously do NOT practice that! If the Republicans and Democrats do not practice that commandment in their town, city, county, state and national governments, then our country as a whole going to Hell in a hand basket! We all must work together whether we're conservative, moderate or liberal if we are to grow better on ALL levels of government! Why don't they work together together is very simple, they don't want to!! I have Not voted for the Republican or a Democrat in years but voted for third party candidates instead.