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March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina
| Monday, Feb 25, 2013

mug_joemessinaIt is my opinion, and I do believe, that religion of any kind is under attack here in America. However, the primary targets, for now, are Christian.

Let’s start with the pope announcing his resignation due to health issues. The news was a big deal both inside and outside of the Catholic community. Many Catholics were saddened to hear of his early departure. Many non-Catholics and non-religious people said there were other reasons, possibly more sinister reasons. Some said there were more issues that were going to come out against the church and they (whoever “they” are) wanted him out of the way.

How about this for an explanation? He is old. He is sick and feeble and feels that he needs to get out of the way to best serve the institution that he loves. Imagine that.

Have we become so cynical as a society that we couldn’t possibly believe anyone does anything for honorable reasons?

There are still many people who believe their God and their church are worth sacrificing and dedicating their life to. It’s not a club or a group or a committee. It’s a core belief, the foundation of a person’s life.

Some are now saying, those mostly on the left, that this is a great opportunity for the Catholic church to “upgrade itself” to usher in women priests, a female pope, gay marriage, abortion and more.

To a Catholic (and Christian), God’s word is just that. It’s His word. He’s the only one who gets to change it, not us. Scripture is clear on this matter, and with the exception of a few “progressive” scholars, almost all Christians can agree on what God’s word says about these things. These are God’s laws for us to live by, and there are consequences for ignoring them.

Maybe there is a direct correlation between our disregard for religion and our disregard for the Constitution and its laws. Is anyone “sold out” to anything anymore?

Let’s make it simple. I am “sold out” to my wife. I believe in her. I love her. I trust her. I trust her words and her actions, especially as it pertains to us. I believe in her so much that I don’t try to change her. She may have some minor things that I don’t care for, but they aren’t important enough to take up brain space. I joined with her for who she is.

When someone joins a church and believes in its core values, those values are unchangeable. Asking someone to go against scripture is like asking or encouraging a child to disobey his parents.

Progressives don’t seem to grasp that there are foundations that make religions and this country great. They think that if something in those foundations makes one person in the group uncomfortable, then we should change them.

Progressives don’t seem to have boundaries or rules that are cemented in facts, and proof doesn’t seem to be important in making decisions.

You cannot ask religious people to go against their Creator or their Creator’s words. It simply won’t work. It’s called being dedicated to what you believe in.

Progressives keep asking religious people and institutions to give up their individuality and violate their belief systems to come in line with the rest of society, “get with the program” and accept what they believe society should accept.

First the Constitution came under attack, now religion, and next comes socialism. Check your history books, people. History is on the road to repeating. Don’t let it happen to US.

 

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also an elected member of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.

 

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5 Comments

  1. Guest says:

    Really? You don’t understand why people don’t like the Pope? Maybe his role in covering up the sexual abuse scandals,

  2. As a Christian, I demand that faith leaders live by example and be upfront about it when they falter and be willing to seek help when warranted. And, the reason religion may be under attack is that too many of them don’t! However, it seems to me that you are not up to speed on all the problems being hidden by the Vatican, the fact that there is evidence that would convict the Pope and his entourage if he were to step outside of the Vatican boundaries. Just because sinful and despicable leaders are under attack for their bad behavior, doesn’t mean “religion is under attack”, it means those who claim to represent the faithful had better get right with the Lord or plan to pay the consequences. And, frankly, that’s a GOOD thing.

  3. PS – Progressives are NOT asking religious organizations to change their ways, they’re suggesting they be reminded that religious freedom requires everyone’s freedom be protected, even those who don’t share their belief system. If we based all civil law on Christian values and laws today, we open the door for the switch over to other religions’ values and laws tomorrow. Then what will they do?

  4. B K says:

    I suggest Ms. Olsen be the first to start tearing down the Ten Commandments from the halls of the Supreme Court. The problem we face is the watering down of true faith, a true understanding that there is a God and God never changes. His word is truth no matter what spin you care to apply. So in your words, progressives are not telling us to pay for abortions (Obamacare) nor are they telling us to accept homosexual marriage (how many states is it now?) God’s word is clear on these issues and if you simply believe His word is wrong, you have the freedom to accept the consequences.

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