“Man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. Even if a sin is legalized, it’s still a sin in the eyes of God.” — Anonymous
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Daily Archives: October 6, 2024
OCTOBER 6 | MUCH OF OUR PRAYING NEVER BRINGS ANYTHING BACK
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
JOHN 15:7
In evangelical Christian circles, the question is often raised: “Why are there not more miracles and wonders wrought in our midst through faith?”
In our day everything seems to be commercialized, and I must say that I do not believe in wonders and miracles that are organized and incorporated!
“Miracles, Incorporated”—you can have it!
“Healing, Incorporated”—you can have that, too! And the same with “Evangelism, Incorporated”; you can have it all.
I have my doubts about some signs and wonders that have to be organized, that demand a letterhead and a president and a secretary and a big trailer with lights and cameras. God isn’t in that!
But the man of faith can go alone into the wilderness and get on his knees and command heaven—God is in that!
The Christian who is willing to put himself in a place where he must get the answer from God and God alone—the Lord is in that!
But there is no use trying to cover up the fact that there is a great deal of praying being done among us that does not amount to anything—it never brings anything back! It is like sending a farmer into the field without a plow.
Little wonder that the work of God stands still!1
1 Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2015). Evenings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings (p. 304). Moody Publishers.
October—6 | By faith, Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.—Heb. 11:22.
See, my soul, the triumphs of faith in this lively instance of the patriarch Joseph! How many have I known, who, though they have given up their souls, with full assurance of faith, into the hands of Jesus, conscious of an interest in him, and of redemption in his blood, have nevertheless, felt fears and alarms for the moment in which the soul separates from the body, and have wanted faith “concerning their bones?” Look at the patriarch when dying, and learn from him whence to derive strength and comfort for every emergency, and for every concern. “By faith:” is the one universal charm. Jesus is in every thing, and for every thing the believer can possibly need or require, all the way home; in death, as in life; concerning the bones, or concerning the soul. In him the soul goes forth boldly from the body at the hour of death; and in him the body as safely and securely reposeth in the grave. The believer hears, or may hear, the voice of Jesus, in terms like those he spake to Jacob: “Fear not to go down into Egypt; I will go down with thee:” so Jesus speaks to his people: “Fear not to go down into the grave; I will go down with thee!” Hence, by faith, like the patriarch, the believer feels a holy confidence in Jesus concerning his bones. And who can feel concern, when, by faith, all is committed unto Jesus? Who would fear concerning their bones, if Jesus make the grave, and appoint the sepulchre where and when they are to be deposited; yea, inters the remains, visits and watches over the dust of his saints with more care than the goldsmith doth the golden particles, which he suffereth not the least air to blow away? Precious Jesus! be it my portion, like Joseph, when dying, to have the same lively actings of faith as he had in thee, (and sure I am, he had not greater cause for the full exercise of this principle than believers now,) and may I then enjoy with equal, yea, with increasing strength, this blessed assurance in thee, and by the same faith that hath carried me through many sharp trials in the past, be carried through this last and trying conflict. Lord! let me die as I have lived, believing; yea triumphing in believing. And when the earth gives way under my feet, and every object of sense is sinking also, then may my soul go forth as the jewel from the casket, in all the joy which a soul in Christ must find; and in the last act of the holy triumph of faith, leave all with thee “concerning my bones!”1
1 Hawker, R. (1845). The Poor Man’s Evening Portion (A New Edition, pp. 288–289). Thomas Wardle.
Evening, October 6 | “He had married an Ethiopian woman.”
—Numbers 12:1
Strange choice of Moses, but how much more strange the choice of him who is a prophet like unto Moses, and greater than he! Our Lord, who is fair as the lily, has entered into marriage union with one who confesses herself to be black, because the sun has looked upon her. It is the wonder of angels that the love of Jesus should be set upon poor, lost, guilty men. Each believer must, when filled with a sense of Jesus’ love, be also overwhelmed with astonishment that such love should be lavished on an object so utterly unworthy of it. Knowing as we do our secret guiltiness, unfaithfulness, and black-heartedness, we are dissolved in grateful admiration of the matchless freeness and sovereignty of grace. Jesus must have found the cause of his love in his own heart, he could not have found it in us, for it is not there. Even since our conversion we have been black, though grace has made us comely. Holy Rutherford said of himself what we must each subscribe to—“His relation to me is, that I am sick, and he is the Physician of whom I stand in need. Alas! how often I play fast and loose with Christ! He bindeth, I loose; he buildeth, I cast down; I quarrel with Christ, and he agreeth with me twenty times a day!” Most tender and faithful Husband of our souls, pursue thy gracious work of conforming us to thine image, till thou shalt present even us poor Ethiopians unto thyself, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Moses met with opposition because of his marriage, and both himself and his spouse were the subjects of an evil eye. Can we wonder if this vain world opposes Jesus and his spouse, and especially when great sinners are converted? for this is ever the Pharisee’s ground of objection, “This man receiveth sinners.” Still is the old cause of quarrel revived, “Because he had married an Ethiopian woman.”1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.
October 6.—Evening. [Or July 11.] | “He loved them unto the end.”
Luke 22:14–18; 24–30
AND when the hour was come, he sat down, (or reclined upon a couch after the Eastern manner,) and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: (Strong was his longing to commune with his beloved ones, as also to finish his great work, and to become the lamb of God’s passover.)
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. (The passover was now to cease. Our Lord observed the outward sign one night before the proper time, because it was to be fulfilled on the morrow. This change was a sign that it had waxed old, and was ready to vanish away.)
17, 18 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. (While the thoughts of the Master were thus taken up with his sufferings, it is painful to find that the apostles were disputing about pre-eminence. Alas, poor human nature!)
24 ¶ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25–27 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28–30 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
HOW sweetly did he end their envious disputing by his words, but he went further and dealt it a final death blow by the condescending acts recorded in—
John 13:1–19
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2–5 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10, 11 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12–15 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16, 17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
No comment is needed, and we have given none. Let us practise what is here so clearly taught.1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 595). Baker Book House.
October 6 Evening Verse of the Day
20 Perhaps connecting more closely to vv. 15–18 than v. 19—or perhaps serving to relativize v. 19—this present verse, while true in its acknowledgment that there is no one who never sins (see 1 Ki 8:46; Ps 143:2; Pr 20:9), seems trite. Is Qohelet perhaps using this truism as an excuse for his less-than-commendable advice not to strive for righteousness?1
20 As argued in the commentary to v. 19, this verse asserts the limits of human ability. Qohelet sounds like Paul here (Rom. 3:9–20), who is himself quoting a number of OT passages, especially from Psalms. Qohelet denies that anybody on the face of the earth is righteous and without sin.
The force of the conjunction kî that begins the verse is a problem, as is the connection between this verse and its context. Some100 take the conjunction as the causal “for” or “because.” They argue that the verse supplies the reason why wisdom is so important, that is, because there is a dearth of righteous people. Since there are no righteous around, the wise must care for the city. This approach strikes me as wrongheaded because of the close association between wisdom and righteousness in other parts of the Bible (see Prov. 8:12–14).
Accordingly, it is much better to translate kî as an asseverative conjunction, Surely. The verse thus provides a counterbalance to the previous one. Wise people are of immense value, but no one, not even the wise, is righteous. In this way, Qohelet does what he so often does—puts forward a positive value and then relativizes it.
Qohelet does not deny the presence of the righteous. There are righteous people, but these righteous people are not consistently good. They do sin, at least occasionally. This opinion may be found throughout the OT (1 Kings 8:46; Ps. 143:2; Prov. 20:9) and the NT (see especially Rom. 3:10–18, which may even contain an allusion to our verse).
We may even see here the motivation for v. 16. Since Qohelet believes that no one can be consistently righteous, why try for it to the point of frustration?2
7:20 no one … righteous, … who does what is right and never sins. The human potential for wisdom is limited, and so is the potential for righteousness. The quest for perfection is futile in a fallen world, and even the most energetic and valiant efforts to achieve righteousness will be mixed with evil. Legalism often produces an obsession with righteousness. From the people who bring an entitlement mentality into their relationship with God because they believe they have earned enough “righteousness points” to deserve protection from all trouble, to those who make lists of every possible offense they may have committed that day, an obsession with righteousness takes many forms.3
Ver. 20.—The wisdom above signified is, indeed, absolutely necessary, if one would escape the consequences of that frailty of nature which leads to transgression. Wisdom shows the sinner a way out of the evil course in which he is walking, and puts him back in that fear of God which is his only safety. For there is not a just man upon earth. The verse confirms ver. 19. Even the just man sinneth, and therefore needs wisdom. That doeth good, and sinneth not. This reminds us of the words in Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9). So St. James (3:2) says, “In many things we all offend;” and St. John, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). A Greek gnome runs—
Ἁμαρτάνει τι καὶ σοφοῦ σοφώτερος.
“Erreth at times the very wisest man.”4
20. The argument of vv. 16–19 is brought to a climax, echoing Solomon’s words in 1 Kings 8:46. It is put emphatically (with the Heb. emphatic kî, surely); it is a universal truth (not a righteous man on earth); it covers sins of omission (does good) and commission (never sins).5
Ver. 20. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.—Man’s inability to keep the law perfectly:—
Here is the undoubted character of all the human race, fixing imperfection and sinfulness on the best of the kind in this world, and so concluding all to be liable to sin, and under it.
I. What is legal perfection, or perfect keeping of the commands. It is a perfect conformity of heart and life to the commands of God; and implies—
1. A perfection of the principles of action (Matt. 22:37).
2. A perfection of the parts of obedience. No part must be lacking, every command of whatsoever nature must be kept (Galatians 3:10).
3. A perfection of degrees in every part (Matt. 22:37). Sincerity is not enough in the eye of the law. In everything one must come to the highest pitch, or there is no perfection.
4. A perfection of duration or continuance (Galatians 3:10). One bad trip after a course of obedience will mar all.
II. The attainableness of this perfection.
1. Adam before the fall was able to have kept the commands perfectly; he might have attained it; for “God made him upright” (Eccles. 7:29).
2. The man Christ, who was not a mere man, but God-man, who was not only able to keep the law perfectly, but actually did so.
3. The saints in heaven are able, and do actually perfectly obey whatever God’s will to them is (Hebrews 12:23).
4. But since Adam fell, no mere man is able, while in this life, either of himself, or by virtue of any grace now given, to keep the commands perfectly (James 3:2). This inability is owing to the remains of corruption that cleaves to every one of them in this mortal state (Rom. 7:2), and from which they ardently long to be delivered (ver. 24).
III. How the saints sin daily, and break the commands.
1. How many ways the commands may be broken.
(1) In deeds done contrary to the command of God, or not done, though required.
(2) In words, either speaking what we ought not, or not speaking what we ought, or speaking what we ought, but not in the manner commanded.
(3) In thoughts. One may sin by thinking what he ought not, by omitting of good thoughts, and by not managing good thoughts, in the manner required by the law.
2. In what respect the saints sin daily, in thought, word and deed.
(1) Negatively: not that the saints fall into gross sins daily, against the letter of the law, either in thought, word or deed. Such spots are not the spots of God’s people. Christ’s dwelling by His Spirit in them, the breaking of the reign of sin in them by the power of Divine grace, and their habitual tenderness and watchfulness, hold them off that way of life.
(2) Positively. Besides that saints may be surprised into gross sins in thought, word and deed, sometimes by inadvertency, weakness and violence of temptation, which is the burden of their souls, they sin every day in thought, word and deed when they keep the strictest watch and have most of the Divine assistance.
3. How these failures of theirs break the commands, while they sincerely endeavour to obey them. Why, the moral law is the eternal rule of righteousness, and in whatever state the creature be, he is bound to obey his Creator, whether in a state of nature or grace, glory or damnation. And though perfection be not attainable in this life, yet it is the saints’ duty as well as that of others. So every coming short of that perfection is their sin, needing to be taken away by Christ’s blood.
IV. Confirm the point, that perfection is not attainable in this life.
1. The Scripture attests that there is no man without sin (1 Kings 8:46; James 3:2). If any man set up for it in himself, the Spirit of God says he deceives himself (1 John 1:8). See an unanswerable question (Prov. 20:9).
2. The best have a corrupt as well as a gracious principle, making the spiritual combat never ending till death give the separating stroke (Gal. 5:17).
3. We are taught always to pray for pardon, “Forgive us our debts”; but sinless creatures need no pardons. This clearly shows that all sin, and so come short of perfect obedience.
4. Consider the spirituality of the law and its extent with human weakness, and you will see this clearly. (T. Boston, D.D.)6
1 Shepherd, J. E. (2008). Ecclesiastes. In T. Longman III, Garland David E. (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Proverbs–Isaiah (Revised Edition) (Vol. 6, p. 322). Zondervan.
2 Longman, T. (1998). The Book of Ecclesiastes (pp. 198–199). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
3 Curtis, E. M. (2013). Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs (M. L. Strauss & J. H. Walton, Eds.; p. 72). Baker Books.
4 Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). Ecclesiastes (p. 164). Funk & Wagnalls Company.
5 Eaton, M. A. (1983). Ecclesiastes: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 18, p. 131). InterVarsity Press.
6 Exell, J. S. (n.d.). Ecclesiastes & The Song of Solomon (Vol. 1, pp. 183–184). Fleming H. Revell Company.
October 8 – Does the Bible Prohibit Christmas Trees? | VCY
TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Jeremiah 10:1-11:23
Colossians 3:18-4:18
Psalm 78:56-72
Proverbs 24:28-29
Jeremiah 10:3 — Is this passage talking about Christmas trees?
If people were praying to their Christmas trees or worshiping them as deities, these passages would certainly apply. But that is not, nor has it ever been, how Christmas trees are used. Christmas trees were never appealed to for blessings nor incorporated into religious rituals or acts of worship. While the exact origin of the Christmas trees is unknown and highly disputed, the tradition seems to have come into existence as late as the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation in Germany. There is no evidence that Christians ever used them as anything other than home decorations for the holidays. There is nothing in this tradition that is innately idolatrous or in any way contrary to the biblical prohibitions against carving trees into false gods.
The better argument (in addition to understanding the anachronism) seems to be analyzing Jeremiah 10:6. These trees kept the people in fear because of an association with evil.
Jeremiah 10:13 — This verse may help us identify Psalm 135 as being written by Jeremiah:
[Psalm 135:7] is practically identical with Jeremiah 10:13 and Jeremiah 51:16, suggesting the possibility that the prophet Jeremiah may have written the otherwise anonymous Psalm 135. The two Jeremiah passages do preface this statement with the note that there is “a multitude of waters in the heavens” in connection with the processes described in the verse.
In any case, this thrice-mentioned mechanism beautifully summarized what we now call the hydrologic cycle, and it did so over 2,000 years before the cycle began to be understood by modern scientists. In order to provide rain to water the earth, there must be vapors ascending all over the earth (that is, evaporation from the world’s great oceans), winds then blowing from God’s unseen treasury (actually the global atmospheric circulation), and, finally, lightnings for (or “with”) the rain (electrical discharges associated with the condensation and coalescence of the particles of water vapor in the atmosphere). All of this repeatedly transports purified waters from the ocean back over the lands to fall as rain and snow, there finally to run off back to the oceans after performing their life-sustaining ministries on the lands. “Unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again” (Ecclesiastes 1:7).
Jeremiah 11:17 — Good thing that nobody offers incense to Baal today. Do we cast our care upon the LORD (I Peter 5:7), though, or other people? Do we seek Him early (Psalm 63:1), or do we seek other things?
Colossians 3:24 — Wives, husbands, children, fathers, and servants are all given instructions, and then we’re told that we shall not be rewarded for our work by our spouses, parents, children, or masters, but by the LORD! Never forget, we are serving Him! Remembering who gives the reward will change the way you approach your job!
Colossians 4:5 — Rick Grubbs of “Redeeming The Time Radio” shares many timely truths.
Colossians 4:12 — Ah, for a prayer warrior like Epaphras!
Colossians 4:14 — Poor Demas! In Philemon 1:24 he’s still a fellow laborer, but in 2 Timothy 4:10 he will have forsaken Paul for a love of the present world.
Psalm 78:72 — Integrity of heart, skillfulness of hands. May we seek to have a single-minded heart for God coupled with the capacity to serve Him!
Proverbs 24:29 — The golden rule is not “do unto others as they have done unto me,” but “do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12).”
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
Gift of Strength; Peace to Bless | VCY
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.Psalm 29:11
David had just heard the voice of the Lord in a thunderstorm and had seen His power in the hurricane whose path he had described; and now, in the cool calm after the storm, that overwhelming power by which heaven and earth are shaken is promised to be the strength of the chosen. He who wings the unerring bolt will give to His redeemed the wings of eagles; He who shakes the earth with His voice will terrify the enemies of His saints and give His children peace. Why are we weak when we have divine strength to flee to? Why are we troubled when the Lord’s own peace is ours? Jesus, the mighty God, is our strength; let us put Him on and go forth to our service. Jesus, our blessed Lord, is also our peace; let us repose in Him this day and end our fears. What a blessing to have Him for our strength and peace both now and forever!
That same God who rides upon the storm in days of tempest will also rule the hurricane of our tribulation and send us, before long, days of peace. We shall have strength for storms and songs for fair weather. Let us begin to sing at once unto God, our strength and our peace. Away, dark thoughts! Up, faith and hope!
October 6 – Revive us again | Reformed Perspective
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1
Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24
How painful! It isn’t just that her son died. That is hard enough. Some of you know this firsthand. He was taken after such a miraculous intervention that spared his life. That makes it particularly poignant. What kind of God had this widow just been introduced to? Does he sustain life just to snatch it? Even Elijah appears flummoxed by this providence (v. 20).
In her confusion, she accuses God of being against her and treats this providence as punishment for her sin (v. 18). This is worth probing. Sometimes we feel this way in hard times because there actually is unconfessed sin in our life and the Holy Spirit is convicting us to repent. But at other times we feel this way because, prodded by the devil, we entertain harsh thoughts of God. More than a few Christians are always waiting for something bad to happen in their lives. They haven’t grasped sufficiently the sheer grandeur of grace. Tragedy isn’t God’s punishment for His dear children. We need to say to this woman (and each other), “Your son doesn’t die for your sin. God’s Son dies for your sin!” This is the blessing of the Lord’s Day as we are reminded again of God’s astonishing grace.
God does graciously correct her misapprehension. Elijah takes the child and God’s resurrecting power revives him. Through that kindness her spiritual life revives too, and she boldly confesses the truth spoken by the man of God. This trial, like all trials sent by a gracious Father, is for the strengthening of faith. Behold the grace and wisdom of our God.
Suggestions for prayer
Pray that God would protect us from improper thoughts concerning Himself so that we would neither think Him too soft (that we continue in sin) or too hard (that we despair of forgiveness). Pray that He would keep the cross of our Lord Jesus fixed in our hearts and minds.
Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
Source: October 6 – Revive us again
6 Oct 2024 News Briefing
For the First Time Since the Second Temple: Shofar Sounded on Temple Mount; Silver Trumpet Sounded as Call to War
On Thursday, the first day of Rosh Hashanah, a group of Jews smuggled shofarot (ritual rams’ horns) onto the Temple Mount and, despite police efforts to stop them, blew all of the requisite shofar blasts for the holiday. It should be emphasized that this is most probably the first time since the Second Temple stood that the shofar has sounded at Judaism’s holiest site.
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues city of Austin for using taxpayer money to fund abortions out of state
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Austin after the city allocated $400,000 to fund out of state travel expenses for abortion, which Paxton says violates the state’s constitution.
IDF has destroyed 50% of Hezbollah’s missiles, say new intelligence assessments — but serious threat remains
Hezbollah can activate missiles and overseas sleeper cells to kill Americans and Israelis Levitt was quick to note that Hezbollah “still maintains an arsenal of surveillance and attack drones and some 60,000 to 100,000 rockets and missiles,” which can be fired deep into Israel.
Trump says Israel should hit Iran’s nuclear facility first ‘and worry about the rest later’
Criticizing US President Biden’s statements at the G7 conference that Israel should refrain from striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump said Israel should “hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later.” … That’s the thing you wanna hit, right?
Nasrallah’s successor eliminated
An Israeli security source on Saturday confirmed to Sky News Arabic that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s successor, Hashem Safieddine, was eliminated in a Friday night strike.
Lebanese media outlet: Israeli strike on Iran to begin soon
MTV quoted a US official as saying that the Israeli attack on Iran will begin “very soon.” The official did not specify a date, but indicated that the “wheels had begun to turn backwards.” In addition, American political scientist Ian Bremmer tweeted that he is “hearing Israel national security advisor just called Indian counterpart to warn that their retaliation (in Iran) is imminent.”
Blasts seen in Dahiyeh as Israel strikes Beirut, secondary explosions heard
Explosions were heard in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut on Saturday night, with the IDF confirming it was conducting strikes in the area against Hezbollah terror targets. Lebanese MTV also reported that a fire had broken out at the studios of Hezbollah-affiliated news outlet Al Manar, in the same suburb.
With a new year, comes a regional war for Israel
Israel is expected to attack Iran relatively soon and with a power that it has never done before following Tehran’s October 1 direct assault on the Jewish state. … the regional war that many wanted to avoid since October 7 has finally arrived. A quick strategic decision was made on Tuesday not to retaliate immediately but to keep the focus on pummeling Hezbollah
Airstrikes Launched on Several Parts of Yemen, Houthi Al Masirah TV says
Airstrikes were launched on Friday at several parts of Yemen including its capital Sanaa and Hodeidah airport, Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Houthi movement controlling much of Yemen, and residents said. Strikes also targeted the south of Dhamar city and the southeast of al-Bayda province, the channel added. Residents said that the attack on al-Bayda province targeted several Houthi military outposts.
Khamenei: Israel ‘will not last long’
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday described Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre of some 1,200 people in Israel as “logical and legal,” and vowed that the Jewish state “will not last long.” During a rare Friday sermon, Khamenei also defended the Islamic Republic’s massive ballistic missile assault on Israel on Tuesday, saying it “was the minimum punishment for the crimes of the usurping Zionist regime,” and claiming it accorded with international law, as well as Islamic beliefs.
International investigation: Iran used criminals and drug dealers in Europe to target Israelis and Jews
Joint investigation reveals how Iran operated terror cells on European soil using figures from the criminal underworld to try and orchestrate massive attacks. This is not a “symbolic” modus operandi which takes advantage of frustrated and disenfranchised immigrants. Rather, these cells are planning and carrying out attacks and assassinations on a large scale. The cell that was arrested in France also planned to kill three other Israelis who work alongside Roey and three senior members of the Jewish community in Germany,
Israeli air strikes target Palestinian refugee camp, Hezbollah TV studios in Beirut
Powerful new explosions rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs late Saturday as Israel expanded its bombardment in Lebanon, striking a Palestinian refugee camp deep in the north for the first time as it targeted both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.
Katrina-Like Disaster Unfolds For Biden-Harris As New Round Of Tropical Trouble Takes Aim At Florida
Hurricane Helene has passed, leaving a trail of destruction across the US Southeast, and the Biden-Harris administration’s relief response with FEMA has been nothing short of a massive failure. Meanwhile, another storm is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, which could potentially usher in another round of tropical trouble for the US East Coast next week. FEMA admitted, “We got here yesterday,” a full week late.
What Would World War III Really Look Like? It’s Already Starting…
One of the most common assumptions I come across in the survival-sphere is the idea that the next world war would automatically necessitate global nuclear conflict and a Mad Max-like outcome. What people are overlooking is the fact that we are ALREADY in the middle of WWIII. … collapse is a process, not an event.
Tropical Storm “Milton” forms, forecast to strike Florida as a hurricane
Tropical Storm “Milton” formed in the Gulf of Mexico at 17:25 UTC on October 5, 2024, as the 13th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The current forecast track takes it right toward Florida, strengthening into a hurricane before making landfall.
Dunedin records wettest day since 1923 with 2.4 times the average October rainfall in 40 hours, New Zealand
Dunedin has recorded its wettest day since 1923, with a staggering 130.8 mm (5.15 inches) of rain falling in just 24 hours between October 3 and October 4, 2024. As a result, the region experienced widespread flooding, with authorities placing Dunedin and the Clutha districts under a state of emergency.
Netanyahu Rips France’s Macron For Urging Arms Embargo On Israel: “A Disgrace”
On Saturday French President Emmanuel Macron called for a halt to arms shipments to Israel for use in Gaza. He told national broadcaster France Inter in an interview that finding a “political solution” to the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts must be a “priority” and that a full arms embargo would help create the conditions.
What Would World War III Really Look Like? It’s Already Starting…
One of the most common assumptions I come across in the survival-sphere is the idea that the next world war would automatically necessitate global nuclear conflict and a Mad Max-like outcome. In other words, a lot of people assume we aren’t in a world war until the nukes start flying and the survivors are left fighting in soda can armor over an irradiated desert. This is a dangerous misunderstanding for a lot of reasons.
UN Secretary-General, UNRWA nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
The head of the UN, under whose leadership war broke out in Ukraine and in the Middle East, has been nominated for promoting world peace, alongside an organization whose employees were involved in acts of massacre and kidnapping. The International Criminal Court in The Hague is also among the nominees for the prestigious prize.
Germany Targets American Writer: Facing Jail for Satirical Swastika Image Comparing Covid Policies to Nazi Germany
C.J. Hopkins’ legal battle in Germany exposes a chilling global crackdown on free expression, as governments weaponize hate speech laws to crush dissent and silence those who dare challenge authoritarian state narratives, particularly regarding Covid.
India plans to launch a pilot project for facial recognition at airports for foreign nationals
India is set to launch an international pilot project for Digi Yatra in June 2025, which will introduce facial recognition technology and e-passports for foreign nationals traveling to and from the country.
Proof that the Covid-19 vaccine causes mental illness
The study set out to investigate psychiatric adverse events from covid vaccinations. The authors recruited 50% of the Seoul-resident population randomly selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) claims database on 1 January 2021, resulting in a total of 2,027,353 participants. The participants were divided into two groups according to Covid-19 vaccination status: vaccinated and non-vaccinated.
Netanyahu: Israel has duty and right to hit back at Iran for missile attack, will do so | The Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday repeated his promise to strike back against Iran for its ballistic missile attack earlier in the week, saying Israel has an obligation to retaliate and will do so.
Headlines – 10/6/2024
Iran’s oil minister visits key oil facility as possible Israeli airstrikes loom
Netanyahu: Israel has duty and right to hit back at Iran for missile attack, will do so
Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett: Israel must strike Iran now to destroy wicked regime
Former CIA head signals full-scale war inevitable if Israel ‘goes all out’
Iran open to cease-fire efforts in Lebanon – if Israel stops bombing Gaza
Israel expands its bombardment in Lebanon as thousands flee widening war
Israel launches massive strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut
IDF Finds Massive Weapons Caches in Villages Near Border
IDF vows ‘no relief or respite’ for Hezbollah; 440 terror operatives killed in ground op
Nasrallah’s possible successor out of contact since Israeli strike said to target him
Esmail Qaani missing: Did Israel kill Soleimani’s successor in Beirut?
South Korea military evacuates 97 from Lebanon as tensions rise
Lebanon hospitals close as Israeli strikes hit health facilities
30 rockets fired at Kiryat Shmona; IDF says drone sirens in Golan were false alarm
IDF intercepts two surface-to-surface missiles fired from Lebanon
Israel says at least 12 of those killed in Tulkarem airstrike were terror operatives
Sinwar silent with mediators, believed to have surrounded himself with hostages – Qatari officials
IDF launches new ground op in north Gaza’s Jabaliya to foil Hamas efforts to regroup
IDF calls on parts of central Gaza to evacuate ahead of fresh incursion
Israeli strikes on Gaza mosque and school kill 26, health ministry says
Mapped: Nearly 60% of Gaza damaged or destroyed in one year of war
Israeli onslaught on Gaza: 79% of mosques, 3 churches destroyed in attacks
Macron Calls for Halting Weapons to Israel for Gaza Conflict
Netanyahu Says ‘Shame’ On Macron For Urging Halt To Arms Supply To Israel
Netanyahu calls Macron, other Western leaders who support arms embargo against Israel a ‘disgrace’
Hostage’s mother: Netanyahu ‘sacrificing the lives of the hostages to remain in power’
A year after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, 4 Americans are still being held hostage
Scaled-down rallies for hostage deal held nationwide, a year into loved ones’ captivity
After 40,000 planned to attend, alternative Oct. 7 memorial limited to 2,000 people
Anti-Israel protester lights himself on fire outside of White House, video shows
Several wounded in terror attack at Beersheba Central Bus Station
US Central Command chief arrives in Israel amid Middle East tensions
Ukraine Claims to Have Downed Russian Fighter Jet as Moscow Makes More Territorial Gains
Russia Shoots Down Own Military Jet on Bombing Mission: Reports
Russia Targets Kyiv, Odesa in Latest Drone Attack
Russian Prosecutors Seek 7-Year Sentence for American Accused of Fighting for Ukraine
China, North Korea Mark 75th Anniversary of Ties with Vows of Cooperation
Argentina Fixes Cumbersome, Multi-Ballot-per-Person Voting System
Poll: Most Independents Voting for Harris Admit They Are ‘Mostly’ Voting Against Trump
Prayer Vigil Held in Butler on Eve of Trump’s Return to Site of Assassination Attempt
JD Vance in Return to Butler: ‘God Saved President Trump’s Life’
Trump Predicts at Butler Rally: The Left Will ‘Drop All Sorts of Bombs’ Before Election Day
Elon Musk makes first appearance at Trump rally casting election in dire terms
Elon Musk at Trump Rally: If You Don’t Vote ‘This Will Be the Last Election’
Elon Musk speaks at Trump rally, says the 45th president must win to ‘preserve the constitution’
Elon Musk Declares ‘I’m Not Just MAGA. I’m Dark MAGA’ at Trump’s Rally in Butler, PA
Soros ‘dark’ money goes to independent Nebraska candidate and NY Democrat candidate’s salary: report
Hillary Clinton calls for more censorship of Americans on social media or ‘we lose total control’
Chinese Hackers Breached US Court Wiretap Systems, WSJ Reports
New ‘sungrazer’ comet could be bright enough to see in daylight
5.1 magnitude earthquake hits the Kermadec Islands region
5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Karori, New Zealand
4.5 quake Northern and Central Iran
Magnitude 4 earthquake rocks Southern California’s Inland Empire
Sabancaya volcano in Peru erupts to 22,000ft
Sangay volcano in Ecuador erupts to 20,000ft
Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts to 16,000ft
Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 15,000ft
Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala erupts to 14,000ft
Semeru volcano in Indonesia erupts to 14,000ft
Dukono volcano in Indonesia erupts to 10,000ft
Lewotobi volcano in Indonesia erupts to 10,000ft
Milton expected to become a major hurricane before slamming into Florida
DeSantis declares state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of expected Hurricane Milton
Trump uses Butler return to blast hurricane response: Harris wined and dined while victims died
Tuberville on Biden Hurricane Helene Response: ‘People Should Be Going to Jail – This Is Treason’
Florida’s DeSantis takes matters into own hands with relief, investigations after federal delays
Nolte: Slow-Walking Aid to Hurricane-Ravaged Red America Is All Upside for Kamala
White House said FEMA made funding available for illegal immigrants in 2022
Biden administration sends $100 million to repair roads, bridges in NC after Helene
Biden pushes Congress to pass more funding for Helene relief
Dust storm triggers massive 60-car pileup on US 95 near Genesee, Idaho
Experts say it’s possible for hackers to take control of EV features, even trigger battery fires
Half of Welfare Recipients in Germany Are Foreign Citizens, Left-Wing Populists Reveal
Biden Admin to End Parole Program for Hundreds of Thousands of Migrants
Mayorkas Pretends to Cap ‘Parole’ Migration Before Election
Ohio court declines to issue arrest warrants for Trump, Vance over comments on Haitian migrants
Tren de Aragua Gang ‘Enforcer’ Arrested with 19 Suspected Members, Say San Antonio Police Chief
Three suspected Venezuelan gang members arrested in brutal invasion of Dallas woman’s home
Report: Illegal Alien Accused of Killing Georgia Surgeon Malcolm Goodchild
Report: Venezuela Putting 7 Children, Tortured in Detention, on Trial for ‘Terrorism’
Primary school music teacher charged with 20 counts of child pornography possession in Wisconsin
CBS, Paramount Reject Ads Exposing Tax-Funded Transgender Child Surgeries in Swing States
Belgian Prime Minister Censures Pope Francis Over Abortion Remarks
Scientists Sue After Publisher Moves to Suppress Science-Based Evidence of Abortion Dangers
Man paralyzed in diving mishap has medical miracle a year after AI-powered brain implant
Consumers in US could face cold-cut crisis as virus ravages pig farms in Italy
Michigan tracks worst deadly deer disease outbreak since 2012
Congo begins mpox vaccination rollout nearly two months after WHO declared global emergency
Kamala Harris campaign still mandating employees get COVID vax
Hollywood Never Would’ve Made This: Mel Gibson Developing Show About How Christians Fought off Muslim Invaders | The Gateway Pundit.
There’s a TV series in the works in which Christians are the heroes, but it is not coming out of the major Hollywood studios where Christians are the foils for the noble people who are anything but Christians.
“I’m also working on a TV limited series about the Siege of Malta, which is an incredible story, and there’s only one place to film that, I mean, in Malta,” Gibson said, according to Movieweb.
“Because that’s where it happened, at these fortresses where 700 knights defended Malta against an onslaught from the Turkish and Suleiman sent 40,000 men and ships and, wow, the knights won. So, it’s a pretty crazy, great story,” he said.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the Siege of Malta took place from May to September in 1565 when the powerful Ottoman Empire sought to take the Mediterranean island as part of its conquests.
At the time, Christians were reeling from years of defeats at the hands of the expanding Ottoman Empire.
“Controlled by the Knights Hospitaller since their expulsion from Rhodes, Malta was the key to Christian defenses against Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean,” Britannica says, reporting that overall, 3,000 of 6,000 Christians died against 20,000 of 40,000 invaders.
“For the Ottomans, this was their worst reversal in more than a century, and it gave Christian Europe hope that Turkish expansion could be halted,” it wrote.
The Ottoman Empire was daunted by its defeat, but its European advance was not permanently halted until the Siege of Vienna in 1683.
Gibson has other projects moving forward, including plans to begin filming for the sequel to “The Passion of the Christ” this spring, according to the Daily Wire.
Gibson has developed six draft screenplays for “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection,” according to the Christian Broadcasting Network.
The sequel has been in development for ten years.
The film will depict Jesus’ crucifixion as well as the three days which preceded His resurrection, according to film journalist Jordan Ruimy.
Gibson previously confirmed that the sequel was in the works in a 2016 conversation with evangelist Greg Laurie, according to CBN.
“It’s called The Resurrection. Of course, that’s a very big subject and it needs to be looked at because we don’t want to just do a simple rendering of it — you know, read what happened.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
The post Hollywood Never Would’ve Made This: Mel Gibson Developing Show About How Christians Fought off Muslim Invaders appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
FNC’s Shannon Bream Grills Gov. Tim Walz On Abortion: You’re Going “Far Beyond Roe” | RealClearPolitics Videos
“FOX News Sunday” host Shannon Bream questions Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about where the Harris campaign stands on abortion rights, whether they support any limits whatsoever on the timeframe for abortion, and what state laws and pro-choice and pro-life states really are:
SHANNON BREAM: I want to talk about abortion because this came up in a debate and has been a winning argument on many ballots, but I want to clarify what the law is in Minnesota. The “Abortion Finder” website, which helps women find access, says, “Abortion is legal through pregnancy in Minnesota. There is no ban or limit in Minnesota based on how far along in the pregnancy you are.” You signed a bill that makes it legal through all nine months. Is that a position you think Democrats should advocate for nationally? GOV. TIM WALZ: The vice president and I have been clear that the restoration of Roe vs. WadE is what we are asking for. SHANNON BREAM: But that law goes far beyond Roe v. Wade. GOV. TIM WALZ: The law is very clear. It does not change that, that has been debunked on every occasion. SHANNON BREAM: Let’s agree. What you signed is there is not a single limit through the nine months of pregnancy. Roe had a trimester framework that did have limits through the pregnancy. The Minnesota law does not have that. GOV. TIM WALZ: This puts the decision with the woman and her healthcare providers. The situation we have is when you don’t have the ability of healthcare providers to provide that, you end up with a situation like Amanda Zurawski in Texas, where they are afraid to do what’s necessary. This doesn’t change anything. It puts the decision back in the hands of the woman and her doctor. We know this is something that needs to be addressed. Donald Trump is calling for a nationwide abortion ban. SHANNON BREAM: He has said repeatedly he will not sign a national abortion ban. Are you calling that a flat-out lie? GOV. TIM WALZ: Yes! Of course! And Senator Vance has, in the past, said so too. They might see this as an election issue, but we see this as a woman’s right to make her own bodily decisions. That’s why states like mine have the ability to protect that right. States like Georgia force women to cross state lines, and then we have a death like Amber Thurman’s. So let’s be very clear: trying to cut hairs on an issue like this is not where the American public stands. They want the restoration of Roe v. Wade, and Vice President Harris has said that’s what we would do. SHANNON BREAM: To be fair, the Minnesota law goes far beyond Roe v. Wade. About the Amber Thurman case in Georgia, her family… it is tragic. She was a young mother, and she left behind a young son. But what her family has said is that it was a complication from the abortion pill she received, and she didn’t get proper care when she went to a Georgia hospital, which had multiple opportunities to intervene there. Her own attorney, the family’s attorney, says it wasn’t the Georgia law, it was the hospital’s fault. He sees it as malpractice for not treating her when she clearly showed up in distress and still had the byproducts of her pregnancy because of a rare complication from the abortion pill. So just to be clear on the Georgia law, this is how her family and attorney see it. GOV. TIM WALZ: They also indicated that had she not gone to North Carolina after the debate the other night, she would have been in a better position. These are the situations we will encounter when decisions are put in the hands of politicians like Donald Trump rather than women and their doctors. We trust women and we trust doctors, and we know the outcomes of that approach are better. SHANNON BREAM: Let’s clarify more changes you’ve cited in Minnesota as well. Several things were repealed, with respect to reporting requirements for infants who might survive an abortion attempt. Language that used to be part of the statute was taken out. It used to require medical personnel to “preserve the life and health of the born alive infant.” That language has been repealed and is no longer part of the law. Also struck from the law was the language about reporting on infants born alive, the treatment they received, and whether they lived or died. Why was it important to you to remove that protection from the law? GOV. TIM WALZ: Minnesota law aligns with every other case of what physicians are required to do to adhere to their ethical responsibilities. This changed nothing except align with the care that is provided in any circumstance for any medical case. It is simply aligning the law as it has always been. The outcomes we achieve in Minnesota in healthcare are some of the best in the nation, and this aligns with existing law. SHANNON BREAM: But it does remove the language about preserving the life of an infant born alive. GOV. TIM WALZ: Every doctor has an ethical responsibility to provide the necessary care in each situation. That’s the way the law stands right now. It’s the same for any person that shows up needing care. Again, this is a distraction from the real issue: women being forced into miscarriages, women being sent home and getting sepsis, and potentially dying. We saw this in Texas. Maternal mortality rates in Texas have skyrocketed of the charts due to these laws. This is bad policy, and the vice president and I have been very clear about this. We will restore the rights of Roe v. Wade and ensure women can make their healthcare decisions without putting their lives at risk because of where they live. We need to go back to the way it was before Donald Trump gleefully said we have the best of both worlds here, things are wonderful the states are handling it. It’s not a beautiful thing. We are seeing women die because of it. SHANNON BREAM: No one wants to see a single woman suffer. By the way, there’s not a single state, no matter how restrictive their pro-life laws are, that does not allow a doctor to intervene. That’s true in Georgia and Texas as well.
Source: FNC’s Shannon Bream Grills Gov. Tim Walz On Abortion: You’re Going “Far Beyond Roe”
Ukraine Loses About 200 Soldiers in Russia’s Kursk Area in Past Day
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian forces have eliminated about 200 Ukrainian soldiers, an artillery gun, three mortars and an electronic warfare station in the border areas of Russia’s Kursk Region in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
Source: Ukraine Loses About 200 Soldiers in Russia’s Kursk Area in Past Day
When the Left Got Its Foot in the Door to America
Photo Credit: school desks pixnio cc0
How did the left come to be so prevalent in so many areas of our society? Let’s look at the schools.
They’re going to try to take Trump out again: Lidia Curanaj | Sunday Agenda
On “Sunday Agenda,” Lidia Curanaj comments on the growing threats against former President Donald Trump as the election nears.
Source: They’re going to try to take Trump out again: Lidia Curanaj | Sunday Agenda
LIVE: President Trump Holds a Rally in Juneau, WI – 10/6/24
President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, will deliver remarks at a rally in Juneau, Wisconsin, on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Watch LIVE on RSBN starting at 9:00 a.m. ET!
Source: LIVE: President Trump Holds a Rally in Juneau, WI – 10/6/24
Netanyahu blasts Macron, other Western leaders who support Israeli arms embargo as a ‘disgrace’
“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side, yet President Macron and other western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them, “Netanyahu said in a statement.
Source: Netanyahu blasts Macron, other Western leaders who support Israeli arms embargo as a ‘disgrace’
America’s National Crisis: Forgetting the Constitution and Losing Our Identity | Standing for Freedom Center
Reclaiming knowledge of our founding principles through civic education and a shared sense of our unique national character is the only way to preserve the freedoms and unity that have made America strong and exceptional.
America is adrift — ideologically lost, no longer sure of who we are. We used to be one nation, bound together by a shared understanding of what it meant to be American. No longer.
What’s the root of this crisis? The collapse of civic education has led to widespread ignorance of the Constitution. The document designed to safeguard our freedom and guide our nation is increasingly misunderstood, forgotten, or even scorned. Most Americans don’t even know what it says anymore. And the consequences are severe.
When Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he was asked what kind of government had been created. His reply was a challenge: “A republic, if you can keep it.” Today, that challenge is more relevant than ever. Our republic’s grip is slipping.
Figures like Charlie Kirk have exposed just how far we’ve drifted. As he travels the country visiting college campuses, it’s become alarmingly clear that our youth are largely unaware of the Constitution, ignorant of the freedoms they’ve inherited, and blind to their responsibilities.
If we don’t understand the Constitution, we can’t protect the rights it guarantees. The collapse of civic education has left us vulnerable. Fewer schools even bother to teach the principles that shaped our country. Franklin’s warning is ringing louder than ever: Our republic’s future is at risk unless we reclaim the knowledge and responsibility that once defined us. The time to act is now, before it’s too late.
The Constitution: A Foundation Forgotten
The Constitution wasn’t written for a bygone era — it was built to last, providing a governance framework that could endure shifting political landscapes. The Founding Fathers, having experienced the dangers of concentrated power under British rule, intentionally designed a system of checks and balances to protect individual liberty. They knew firsthand that decentralizing power was essential to prevent tyranny.
Yet today, too many Americans don’t know these protections exist. A Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation survey found that only 36 percent of Americans could pass a basic U.S. citizenship test. Basic questions leave most people stumped, among them, Why did the Americans fight the British? or When was the Constitution was ratified? This isn’t just a knowledge gap — it’s a symptom of how deeply civic education has eroded, leaving generations disconnected from the principles that govern their freedom.
But schools alone aren’t to blame. Modern media and its obsession with entertainment have played a huge part. Young people today spend hours on social media, where political discourse has been reduced to soundbites, memes, and clickbait. According to Common Sense Media, teens spend an average of 8.33 hours a day consuming entertainment, none of which includes meaningful civic education. When politics is reduced to quick takes, the deeper understanding of constitutional issues fades.
Our public discourse has shifted. Culture wars and identity politics are currently dominating the conversation instead of the guiding principles of democracy. This shift isn’t just a cultural trend; it’s creating a public ill-prepared to engage in the civic responsibilities necessary to sustain democracy and freedom. One of the Founding Fathers, John Adams, is often quoted as saying, “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.”
A Crisis of Ignorance
Kirk, the founder and president of Turning Point USA, has directly observed this crisis. Through his interactions with college students across the nation, he has discovered a profound lack of understanding regarding America’s founding principles. This isn’t just a problem among a few — it’s widespread. Surveys from the Annenberg Public Policy Center show that only 56 percent of Americans can name all three branches of government, and 20 percent can’t name a single one. The very system of checks and balances, designed to protect us from government overreach, is now a mystery to those who need it most.
This ignorance isn’t just about education. It’s also a reflection of a cultural shift. In the past, being an informed citizen was a key part of the American identity. People took pride in knowing their rights, understanding their government, and participating in the political process. But today, the focus has shifted toward individualism and identity politics and away from a shared sense of national identity. Discussions about race, gender, and social issues, while important, have contributed to the breakdown of the shared civic framework the Constitution once provided.
This cultural drift has led to growing indifference toward the principles that used to bind our nation together. The Constitution, designed to protect freedom, foster unity, and hold government accountable, is being forgotten. Only 27 percent of Americans can identify all the freedoms the First Amendment guarantees. The civic fabric that once held our country together is unraveling.
The Path Forward: Education and Understanding
To reclaim what it means to be American, we must start by rediscovering the Constitution. Civic education needs to return to its rightful place in our schools and universities. Teaching the Constitution isn’t just about informing students about government; it’s about instilling a shared national identity rooted in freedom, justice, and personal responsibility.
One of the Constitution’s greatest strengths is its adaptability. Through amendments, it has evolved to reflect America’s shifting moral and social landscape. The 10th Amendment reminds us that the Constitution was built to protect rights inherent to all individuals — rights not granted by the government but by God Himself.
Failing to understand these protections allows the government to infringe on the liberties the Founders sought to protect.
The Constitution’s impact goes far beyond America’s borders. It has inspired democratic movements for freedom worldwide, challenging authoritarian regimes and advancing human rights. Yet many Americans are unaware of its global significance and how it has shaped our nation and others.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the American Identity
We are at a critical juncture. The lack of knowledge about the Constitution isn’t just an educational failure — it’s a threat to the survival of our country and way of life.
To reclaim our American identity, we must return to the principles that guided our founding. Reviving civic duty and restoring a shared understanding of national identity is essential for rebuilding unity in our fractured society. That doesn’t require merely understanding and memorizing facts, though that’s important too. Rather it’s about restoring the collective responsibility that was once central to being an American.
The Founders knew that human nature tends toward the abuse of power; that’s why they created a system where the people, not the government, hold the ultimate authority. But that authority only works if the people understand how to use it. Reclaiming our knowledge of these founding principles is the only way to preserve the freedoms and unity that have made America strong.
By addressing the root causes of civic ignorance — the decline of education, the influence of modern media, and the fragmentation of our culture — we can start to solve this crisis. Only through a renewed commitment to understanding the Constitution and engaging in civic life can we reverse this dangerous trend and secure the future of the American experiment.
Source: America’s National Crisis: Forgetting the Constitution and Losing Our Identity
Thomas Sowell: Our Declining Society Celebrates Attention-Getters | The Daily Bell
Summary
Society’s growing obsession with attention-seeking behaviors undermines the value of genuine accomplishments and meaningful contributions to progress and well-being.
Societal Attention Shift
- In modern society, people seek attention through extreme hairstyles, tattoos, and outlandish clothing rather than focusing on achievements, as noted by Thomas Sowell.
- The media lavishes 24/7 attention on celebrities like Anna Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton while ignoring major historical events such as Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Cultural Values and Standards
- In a non-judgmental society where being non-judgmental is an exalted value, people who have nothing to contribute expect sound judgments.
- Media attention is disproportionately given to loud demonstrations and runaway rhetoric rather than lifetime contributions to health, prosperity, or education that benefit millions.
- The decline in societal standards has led to an inability to deny or rebuke attention seekers who have nothing to contribute, according to Thomas Sowell.
Source: Thomas Sowell: Our Declining Society Celebrates Attention-Getters
Bartiromo: Busted! The Biden/Harris Administration Cleaned Out FEMA Money Giving It To Illegals | RealClearPolitics Videos
FOX News host Maria Bartiromo looks back to when the Biden administration was touting their effort to use FEMA money to support migrants — something that they now deny during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Tulsi Gabbard commented: “We can’t say that this is incompetence because incompetence implies that you do care and you’ve made your best effort, but you have failed.”
MARIA BARTIROMO, SUNDAY MORNING FUTURES: It’s so troubling. And thank God for your nonprofit and other nonprofits out there, because they’re not getting the help from Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, that’s for sure. Your nonprofit has raised $200,000 from 2,064 individuals, donations continue to come in. The White House is trying to tell us that no, no, no, this is two different pools of money. We didn’t use FEMA money for the illegals. But Karine Jean-Pierre actually told us what they were doing back in 2022. Watch this. KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022: FEMA regional administrators have been meeting with city officials on-site to coordinate available federal support from FEMA and other federal agencies. Funding is also available through FEMA’s emergency food and shelter program to eligible local governments and not-for-profit organizations, upon request, to support humanitarian relief for migrants. We’ll continue to do what we can as a federal government to support these cities as we rebuild our asylum processing is system after it was gutted by the Trump administration. MARIA BARTIROMO: Yeah, there you go. Busted! And busted again, Tulsi. She just told us what she was doing in 2022. They’ve actually cleaned out the money because they gave it to illegals. Is this incompetence, or to they just not care? TULSI GABBARD: You know, we can’t say that this is incompetence because incompetence implies that you do care and you’ve made your best effort, but you have failed. They’ve made very clear their priorities all along and, unfortunately, it’s the American people and our fellow Americans who are in the most dire need in this moment of disaster, who are feeling the consequences of that. They’ve created these open borders, they’ve provided our taxpayer dollars. You’ve seen how people are saying, yeah, you know, I get up to two years of free rent. They’re giving me money for food and money to support the family — coming from illegal immigrants who are saying this. That’s coming from this Harris-Biden administration. My heart broke over and over again, Maria, as I was speaking to these families who poured their life savings into their little, local small business, into building a life in these small, rural communities there in the mountains of North Carolina, and they literally have absolutely nothing. And don’t even know whether insurance will cover it. Many of them don’t even is have insurance because they don’t get these kinds of floods there. This is the kind of assistance that FEMA exists for, to be able to provide support to our fellow Americans in their greatest time of need and the bottom line is they’re not there for them.
Source: Bartiromo: Busted! The Biden/Harris Administration Cleaned Out FEMA Money Giving It To Illegals
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