header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 18
1945 - Actors Harry & Olive Carey sell Saugus ranch after 29 years; now Tesoro del Valle [story]
Carey Ranch


The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina
| Monday, Aug 26, 2013

joemessinamugI’ve been railing lately about the apparent war on religion in this country. On the radio show I hear story after story about someone’s religious freedom being challenged. But I was wrong. When I went back and reviewed this “war,” I realized it was all aimed at Christians. Yes, Christians. Skeptical? Take a look.

In getting ready for my weekly shows, there is no shortage of “Christian-esque” events being cancelled or moved from public grounds because someone from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), to whom I fondly refer as the Freedom From Religion Freaks, sent a letter, filed suit, and made a stink.

For instance, a bakery in Oregon refused to make a cake for a gay wedding. It went against their religious beliefs. OMG (that’s Oh My Goodness for those not in the know), it’s time to tar and feather them.

But wait. They have a right to practice their Christian faith, don’t they? Not in Oregon, where lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) are protected from being discriminated against.

Were there no other bakeries? What would happen if a Christian couple were denied service at an LGBT-owned bakery because the owners were uncomfortable making a cake that looked like Jesus, or the sign of the cross with a scripture about men leaving the natural use of their bodies (Romans 1:27), or the one that says, “when a man finds a wife he finds a good thing”? Would there be equal protection under the law?

Then there was the Christian photographer couple in Colorado who was fined more than $6,000 for refusing to photograph a gay wedding. The photographers declined the request, saying they couldn’t accept the job because their religious scripture says it’s a sin. Wouldn’t you want the person who would capture your joyous occasion to be someone who understood the moment?

The gay couple filed a complaint, resulting in a stiff fine for not shooting the wedding. What if the reverse happened and a Christian couple asked to have their traditional family wedding (complete with lots of scripture and “God talk”) photographed? What if the gay couple who owned the photography business said they would be too uncomfortable to shoot the wedding? Would there be equal protection under the law?

If I owned a store and simply refused to serve people who believed in global warming or the Second Amendment or who wore offensive T-shirts, would I be sued? Not a chance. Why? Because it has nothing to do with a religious belief, especially not Christianity.

In several cases, female Muslims have fought to win the right wear a hijab while working in a theme park. Let that sink in for a moment (most people working in a theme park are in costume or a uniform). Yet, employees and students have been told they cannot wear a cross around their neck because it might offend someone. Is that equal protection under the law?

How many cases have you heard of a menorah being removed from a public place during the holidays? Or a Jew asked to remove his yarmulke because it “may offend someone?” It seems like the stories against Christians are 100 to 1.

Recently, a mother in Connecticut was stopped from praying at the entry to a school (on the sidewalk), which she did because she learned there was ammunition found on school grounds. She prayed as the kids came in. She had been doing it for months until the FFRF called the school to threaten legal action. Yet some public schools have prayer rooms for Muslim students, on school grounds, during school hours, and that’s OK.

Your tax dollars pay to accommodate Muslim prayer in school. But it’s not OK for Christians.

If you see stories about attacks on any religion, feel free to forward them on to me (Joe@TheRealSide.com). I’m interested in all of them. But I can tell you, percentage-wise, the primary war is and all-out attack on Christianity. So let me apologize once again: There is no war on religion in this country, but there is a war on Christians.

Stand strong, my brothers. Take up the whole armor of God and fight back. Never give in and never give up.

 

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 normally publishes Mondays.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

7 Comments

  1. lisa says:

    Excellent story Joe. You are right, the war is on Christianity and it will continue until the church stands up and says, enough. We have been very compliant in America and God is not compliant. He is calling us to stand up and be the church we are supposed to be. The persecution will continue to get worse until we cry out to God and stand for Him!

  2. SCV Refugee says:

    Children have the freedom to pray in public schools — Christians as well as Muslims.

    The woman praying in the doorway to the school was probably scaring the kids, a daily reminder of school shootings. Not exactly an environment conducive to concentrating on their studies.

    This entire article is filled with “what ifs” that have never happened. What if a Christian came to his senses and realized that people have the right to be free from proselytizing? OMG.

  3. Greyling says:

    Oooh, Joe Messina has a bad case of CPS (Christian Persecution Complex). He clearly still hasn’t gotten over DOMA being ruled unconstitutional. And the lies he’s telling this week are legion.

    The commandment, thou shalt not lie, used to mean something. Unless the rightwing fringe has an axe to grind. Then anything goes.

    Messina is playing victim because he wants to make everyone else march lockstep with him, and he is using his “God” as a cudgel to discriminate against those he dislikes.

    You see, he’s a Dominionist, a Christian Reconstructionist, who wants to eliminate the Constitution and replace it with Leviticus.
    http://www.theocracywatch.org/

    They believe that democracy is not compatible with Christianity, so they have to eliminate it and replace it with Christian theocracy.

    Messina uses the First Amendment to cover his lies. He just doesn’t want anyone else to use it for their constitutional rights.

  4. Cigar Dave says:

    Your revelation seems selective, insincere, and opportunistic. Simply change your fight to protect our Constitution, and you will protect all religions – not to mention America itself.
    In paragraph 4, you imply LGBT do not deserve Constitutional protection against discrimination, but then immediately invoke the same protections for Christians. This goes beyond hypocritical to irrational. Equal Protection means “equal” as in the same. If you want certain rights for one group, you must afford it to others… equally.
    You ask “what if” a gay bakery or gay photographer discriminated against a Christian cake order or wedding shoot. Would those businesses also get fined you wonder? The answer, obviously, is yes. But the question you need to ask yourself is “why all the discrimination appears to go from Christians toward gays, and not the other way.” That is the important question.
    Finally, you appear to have a grave misunderstanding of our Constitutional Separation of Church and State. Children are not barred from praying or wearing religious symbols in school. Outsiders are, however, forbidden from imposing religion or prayer on school children during school. It’s a very simple, and important concept. I am very surprised that someone who sits on our school board has such a profound misunderstanding of such a rudimentary, yet paramount, concept.

    David Barlavi, Esq.

  5. EugeneSavoy says:

    Modern liberals tear down what is good, elevate what is evil until they meet in the middle and there is no reason to fight. This is utopia in the mind of most modern liberals. Their childish psyches never grew out of the “don’t hit” playground stage. The result is that modern liberals make decisions that place wrong over right, evil over good, and outcomes that lead to failure over outcomes that lead to success every time.

    Thanks Joe. Stones and clubs aren’t far from the bigotry behind the legal attacks on Christian beliefs.

  6. Rachel says:

    Joe, the problem I find with your opinion articles is that you make statements as if they are facts, but do absolutely none of your homework. If you would simple Google the term “remove menorah” you will find many articles that state both nativity scenes AND menorahs get removed from public areas, in front of court houses, etc. Christian symbols are not the only targets by those out to have freedom of religion. If you Google “Jews having to remove their yarmulke”, and you’ll find more stories on that subject as well. It’s not just Christians. You say women have fought for the right to wear a hijab while working at a theme park, but you don’t mention if they won that fight or not. Wouldn’t that be crucial information to your claims? Then you compare that incident to students not being able to wear crosses around their neck. You can’t cry hypocrisy when you’re comparing completely separate practices of organizations! I urge you, before taking up the armor of God and fighting back that you actually do your homework, use logical reasoning, and realize that perhaps you are only hearing the war against Christianity because that’s the war you, and the news outlets you listen to, care about. Your opinion articles would carry so much more weight if they actually resembled a logical argument.

  7. tka2013 says:

    I’ve read several of your columns on the subject of religion over the last several months and to be fair I don’t find you bigoted. However your views strike me as one who recalls a time when Christian influence on American society was unquestioned and absolute, and as one unwilling to bend as other religious groups assert their right to be respected. However your assertion that there is a one sided war on Christians seems even weaker today after today’s liberal court decision against Jewish students at one of our most liberal colleges. Your piece was an assemblage of what-ifs, here’s just one example of a group of people whose heritage of being discriminated against is unmatched.

    http://www.latimes.com/la-me-ln-jewish-uc-20130827,0,5535725.story

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024
Supervisor Barger issued the following statement today, after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to implement the Rental Housing Habitability Program
Monday, Apr 15, 2024
Cowboy Festival weekend is upon us!
Thursday, Apr 11, 2024
Have you ever wanted to journey to another country to experience an array of new and unique cultures and customs?
Tuesday, Apr 9, 2024
In bustling Santa Clarita, where many residents lead busy lives and often feel divided and disconnected, there is a growing need for spaces that bring people together, fostering community and hope.
Monday, Apr 8, 2024
Each spring the city of Santa Clarita proudly showcases its cowboy culture and pays homage to its rich Western heritage during the one-of-a-kind Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.
Thursday, Apr 4, 2024
Springtime, with all its blossoms and lovely weather is a popular time to get married. If you are looking to say “I do” at this picturesque time of year, look no further than City Hall Ceremonies.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
College of the Canyons student-athletes Nichole Muro (softball) and Angelo Aleman (baseball) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 8-13.
COC Names Nichole Muro, Angelo Aleman Athletes of the Week
California State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Wednesday his bill improving transparency between parents and schools’ sexual education curricula passed out of the Senate Education Committee.
Wilk’s Sex Education Transparency Bill Clears Senate Committee
1945 - Actors Harry & Olive Carey sell Saugus ranch after 29 years; now Tesoro del Valle [story]
Carey Ranch
The 76.6-mile-long Antelope Valley Line has the third-highest ridership in Metrolink’s system with an estimated average of 9,000 passengers daily. However, the uneven terrain and single-tracking along the line in some areas forces trains to travel at a slower speed which results in an estimated travel time of approximately one hour between Santa Clarita and Union Station.
Metrolink to Hold Public Meetings on AV Line Capacity, Improvements
Team Dragon Eyes, affectionately known as TDE, is gearing up to host its highly anticipated Fifth Annual Dragonboat Festival race on Saturday, June 1 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.
June 1: Team Dragon Eyes to Host Fifth Annual Dragonboat Festival Race
This year marks the 20th year that the city of Santa Clarita has been hosting the annual Bike to Work Challenge. The community is invited to celebrate by riding a bike to work the week of May 13, and stopping by a pit stop on Thursday, May 16.
Party at the Pit Stop, City Paves Way for 20th Annual Bike to Work Challenge
Ready to take control of your financial future? Join the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs Center for Financial Empowerment for the next installment in the Lunch & Learn Financial Capability Month webinar series, "Understanding Credit.
Online Financial Workshops with County DCBA
The Santa Clarita Valley Concert Band will perform a "Starry Might" concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday May 4. The concert, under the direction of Tim Durand, will be held at the Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
May 4: SCV Concert Band Presents ‘Starry Night’ at CTG
After a record-setting 2023 combatting organized retail crime, the California Highway Patrol continues to aggressively disrupt and dismantle illegal operations throughout California.
CHP Continues Organized Retail Crime Crackdown, Recovers $4.2M in Goods
Celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22 with California State Parks at any of the 280 unique park units across the state. State Parks has numerous Earth Day-themed events planned. They include in-person activities such as guided walks and hikes, workdays and a bioblitz, as well as virtual programming with a live dive broadcast exploring the hidden world of the ocean.
April 22: Celebrate Earth Day at California State Parks
1930 - Telephone switchboard operator Louise Gipe, heroine of the 1928 St. Francis Dam disaster, tries & fails to kill herself over an unrequited love [story]
Louise Gipe
Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Major Crimes Bureau Detectives worked closely with Century Station Detectives after learning of a serial robbery crew committing crimes throughout Los Angeles County. 
Serial Robbery Crew Arrested
Join the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center for their second annual Cornhole Tournament fundraiser where all proceeds will support mental health services to anyone in need.
May 18: Samuel Dixon Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser
California State University, Northridge will confer honorary doctorates on four alumni, all respected leaders in their fields, at the university’s commencement ceremonies next month.
CSUN to Confer Honorary Degrees on Business & Education Leaders, All Alumni
On Saturday, April 20, 2024 Valencia High School Theatre will host the 104th DTASC (Drama Teachers’ Association of Southern California) Shakespeare Festival.
April 20: 104th DTASC Shakespeare Festival at Valencia High School
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, in partnership with Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, launched the Commercial Acquisition Fund to provide capital to countywide non-profit organizations, helping acquire and revitalize commercial spaces within local communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.   
County Launches Commercial Acquisition Fund To Help Non-Profits
Supervisor Barger issued the following statement today, after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to implement the Rental Housing Habitability Program
Barger Issues Statement on Newly Approved Rental Housing Habitability Program
The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts will be holding a free Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Recycling event for Santa Clarita residents. 
April 16: Free Household Hazardous Waste Event At COC
The award-winning Valencia High School Theatre Arts proudly presents “The Outsiders” directed by Stephen Whelan.
April 24-27: Valencia High Theatre Presents ‘The Outsiders’
1962 - Walt Disney donates bison herd to Hart Park [story]
Bison
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed a $68.5 million judgment Monday for SCV Water for the cleanup of local groundwater contamination in its case against the Whittaker Corporation.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds SCV Water Judgment Against Whittaker
Angelo Aleman smacked a pair of home runs as College of the Canyons concluded its three-game series vs. Antelope Valley College with a 10-5 home victory at Mike Gillespie Field on Friday. 
Cougars Defeat Antelope Valley College 10-5
Castaic Union School District is thrilled to announce that Lara Frandzel has been selected to participate in the Teacher Innovator Institute at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C
Castaic Educator Selected for Smithsonian’s Teacher Innovator Institute
SCVNews.com