Liberty and Media Bias

Author: Paul Garner
Americans tend to live in the moment, believing that current events are new and different than anytime before. This is a reflection of the poor education system in the US even about our own history. One example of this is the general belief that media bias is relatively new. Common beliefs are that journalism was different and better in the past. This is a myth. All human beings are biased, i.e. teachers, judges, journalists, pastors, parents, etc. Everyone is biased. Questions arise, like, “is bias bad?” The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allows for a wide spectrum of viewpoints, from all ends of the political, social, and cultural spectrums. However, when media outlets demonstrate clear bias, it can lead to the oversimplification or misrepresentation of issues,… read more
 

Tribe Or Truth

Author: Paul Garner
"Be true to your school." "My country, right or wrong." "Omerta." "Code of silence." "Blue wall." These and many other expressions reveal a drive to maintain loyalty to groups even if truth is compromised, disregarded, or hidden. These also contribute to opposition between groups or tribes in an "us or them" system. The philosophical word for this is "Tribalism". It can be found in families, communities, schools, churches, political groups, states and nations. If your teenage son harms someone would you seek to hide the truth about this? Many families teach their children from early ages that if they break a neighbor's window that they should admit, apologize and seek a way to repay or restore. This is truth and integrity. What happens if the son harms someone on a more… read more
 

When Should A Christian Resist?

Author: Paul Garner
ROMANS 13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For… read more
 

The Cost

Author: Mike Sonneveldt
Our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776, and now we celebrate with fireworks, grilling out and parades. Some understand the major event that this was, and plenty of others just know it's an excuse to drink and get a day or two off from work. 247 years ago, a group of leaders from the colonies signed a document that told the British Empire to pound sand. These men signed it as representatives of our newly formed nation (technically formed that day) and knew the costs of the decision they were making. While we celebrate and wave flags, we don't necessarily think about that moment in that room, on a hot July day. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers later wrote to John Adams, remembering that fateful day. He wrote in his letter to Adams,… read more
 

The Crusaders: Heroes or Villians? Part I

Author: Andrew Alleman
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13 The year was 1095 A.D. and Pope Urban the II’s voice thundered over the crowd, recounting to all who had gathered the attacks that had taken place in the Holy Land in recent memory. Forgiveness was declared to all whom would embark on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in order to recapture what had been taken and the first Crusaders then sowed crosses on their shirt sleeves. These cross patches were to be a symbol of dedication. They would respond to the call. Many Christian crusading knights left their family, their homes, their land, and their wealth behind for a chance to liberate Jerusalem from the Islamic Jihad forces that had invaded several centuries prior and many of them … read more
 
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