Moses Talked about Slaves, but the Message Here is for Us

 

Deuteronomy Chapter 15, part 2: Law about Slaves

Deuteronomy 15:12-18 – Gems and Thoughts from the Passage

The topic of ‘slavery’ is very big these days as some Americans are calling for reparations on behalf of the slavery that took place in the United States decades ago. So, this passage was of particular interest to me. Verses 12-18 tell the Israelites how they are to treat their slaves. The first thing I noted was that Moses is talking about slaves that are “kinsmen” that is “a Hebrew man or woman”.  Their own people. Also, of interest is that the rules are the same for both male and female slaves. The issue of gender is a common theme throughout the Bible. Having studied it somewhat, I am convinced that God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament pushed the needle towards the equality of women as far as the culture could stand and beyond. Our God is not a sexist in any way, shape, or form.

So, what were the rules? It appears that a ‘bought’ slave is to be kept for six years (likely from the time of purchase) and then released ‘in’ the seventh year. So, yes, there are some questions to be asked. Were all slaves bought? And if not, did these rules apply to slaves that were just acquired because someone else didn’t need them any longer or couldn’t afford to keep them? What about an Israelite that owned a slave that wasn’t a Hebrew? Were they to be released in the seventh year? And speaking of the seventh year, could the release date be anytime during that year, up to and including the last day?  All good questions, for which I have not found the answers yet.

[But this is what I like about studying the Bible for myself. You get to ask questions. You don’t always get answers. But you never despair or doubt – eventually Scripture does answer Scripture. And if all else fails, there is always I Corinthians 13:12 – “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”]

David Guzik suggests that “the slaves though of here are those who have had to sell themselves into slavery because of their debt” which ties in nicely with the earlier portion of this chapter on debt. 

Verse 13 tells the sons of Israel that when they release their slaves, they are not to be sent free “empty-handed”. The original ‘retirement’ or ‘leaving the company’ gifts were to be given to these people that served one for six years. This included some of the owner’s flocks, grains, wines. How much? Well, the text says, verse 14, you do so in accordance to how “the Lord your God has blessed you.” Two things to point out here. First, the actual decision is about you. But more importantly, it involves your relationship with God. Those are two things for us to keep in mind as Christians today with respect to our view of charity – the decision is ours as to how much (note, not as to whether or not to do so), and it does depend on how we view God’s blessings on our lives.

Verse 15 points out that how one treats a slave should be related to how one felt about themselves or their ancestors being treated as slaves (in this case, when the Israelites were in Egypt as slaves). They should not be like the Egyptians who ill-treated their slaves but should treat them with unparalleled kindness.

Verse 16 raises the possibility of a servant who refuses to leave – either because he/she loves you so much (as the text suggests) or because he/she is wise enough to know there is no better life for him/her. In that case, you accept, and to make that arrangement permanent, the Israelites were to put a hole in the ear of the slave or maidservant. Sometimes our employees become a very close part of our families and they are with us until death. But clearly the spiritual lesson here is that the owner (God) is dealing with a loving and dedicated servant (a believer and Christ-follower), who once committed to the master (Jesus), is in it for life.

The last verse (verse 18) of this section now addresses the feelings of the owner who will lose his slave after six years.  Moses is saying don’t regret doing so. The slave has given you six great years of service. And he points out that because he/she was a slave, they worked harder (gave you double the service) than what a hired person did. Let him go cheerfully. And if you do, God will keep on blessing you in your dealings.

Wrap-up

What does all this say to us today? For me, it boils down to three things: First, the relationship you and I as Christians have with anyone who works for us – be it full-time or part-time employees in our business, or the lady that cleans our house (if you have one) – is very important to God. And I would venture to say that it goes beyond those people – it includes those who provide services for us – auto services, public transport, mail services, the server when we eat out or the one who gives us our coffee at a coffee shop. I could go on for hours.

Second, we are to be generous with these people. We are to consider what God has saved us from and the circumstances we were in before our current ones. (Even if we were born rich, we still need to be thankful God didn’t allow us to fall into financial ruin and poverty after that.)

Finally, we are to consider with love the circumstances those that do work for us in any of the above ways are in.  What caused them to be doing what they are doing? Why are they the workers rather than the bosses? Was it their own poverty? Was it because they sacrificed to put a child through school? Are they working well beyond a normal retirement age just to survive? Do they have a sibling or other family member, sometimes older and sometimes younger with an illness, they need to take care of? Be generous. God loves a cheerful giver and He will bless you accordingly.

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BLACKFACE, POPE, FREEDOM, LAWYERS & ‘JE SUIS TWU’, and THE COMING HELL

Here’s what I gleaned from the news today:

 [BLACKFACE]  A theatre company in Montreal had a year-end review skit that lasted 90 seconds; they were poking fun at a Montreal Canadians’ hockey player who happens to be black.  To play the small part they used another cast member who was already on board.  Problem was he was white and they painted his face ‘black’ for this part.  All hell broke loose from the art and acting community for the production company’s insensitivity.  Without boring you with all the arguments for and against the action, let me just tell you that when I first heard about the complaints, I thought, “Get a life.  It’s a show for Pete’s sake.  No one is making fun of a prophet or a religion.  It’s a comedy skit.”

But then I read some of the background.  Apparently “blackface” (according to Graeme Hamilton writing in the NationalPost) is the word that was assigned to the old practice that originated in the racist 19^th-cetury minstrel shows depicting blacks as buffoons.  The argument is that doing so now is a throwback to that time and racism, something many feel mocks and belittles blacks.

Furthermore, there is no excuse for this in Quebec where the issue has been discussed and brought to mind several times with respect to recent theatre.  On the other hand, one black actor is quoted as saying he would be really ticked (he used a stronger word) if someone white was portraying him and they didn’t paint his face black.  So he was okay with this – it’s theatre for Heaven’s sake.

So I considered the history and the fact those in the profession (in Quebec at least) should have been aware of the concern and known better than to do this.  Of greater potential influence on my personal thinking, however, is the admonition in the New Testament that, at least Christians (if not all men, and women) should be careful not to offend (James 3), especially if the offense is not based on fact and truth and reality.  [Sometimes we go out of our way to tell lies to people in order not to offend them and that’s not what I’m talking about here.]  For all of the above, I came down on the side of those that opposed the ‘act’.

[THE POPE]  Which nicely takes me to the Pope.  Although, I haven’t agreed with a number of his actions and/or statements lately and his single-handed attempt to save the world through the acceptance of other religions (we’re not just talking about being at peace with them), I did appreciate his comments in the Philippines yesterday on the issue of “freedom of speech”.  Here is what CNN provided on the subject:  “Freedom of expression is a right, but there are limits when it comes to insulting faiths, Pope Francis told reporters today, referring to events surrounding the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.  ‘One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people's faith, one cannot make fun of faith,’ Francis said. Likewise, he said, people have religious liberty, but ‘one can't kill in the name of God.’ He said this after a reporter asked him about religious liberty and freedom of expression.”

I must admit, it appears the Pope is indeed right on with respect to this issue.  But while reading his quotes again, I just noticed he makes another interesting point that President Obama may not like or accept.  The Pontiff implies the killings in Paris were done “in the name of God”.  Since the killers were Muslims, the entity that the Pope must have been referring to was Allah.  And Allah is the god of Islam.  Why the American President refuses to accept that connection is beyond many minds.  Especially when even the Pope, as well as some world leaders, and a majority of Mr. Obama’s constituents, relate this terrorism to an issue with Islam – maybe Islam gone wrong – but Islam nonetheless.

[FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT, LAWYERS, & TWU]  Freedom of speech leads me to freedom of religious thought.  And that is very much currently being violated right now with respect to all the Law Societies trying to block graduate lawyers from Trinity Western University’s Law Program practicing their profession in their provinces.  Not only are their rulings illegal but they have no logical basis.  Rather than get all upset about this personally, I’ll let Marni Soupcoff’s excellent piece present a position I fully support on the issue.  You don’t want to miss it.  Click: Defending the TWU Dissenters. 

 

(Picture accompanying article from the National Post Jan. 15, 2015)

It’s a pity that the matter will require the decision of the Supreme Court again just as TWU’s successful court case to have their graduate teachers practice their profession did a few years ago.  And just so know, professional bodies in neither field had problems with the actual courses the students were taking at TWU.  It was their beliefs they objected to.

[THE COMING HELL]  What do all of the above have in common?  Simply this.  We’re in a terrible ideological war but one side is failing to recognize the true enemy.  Some of that side’s leaders even think we’re winning.  And worse still, they turn a blind eye to more and more atrocities each day – the latest being the massacres in Nigeria.  I guess the estimated 2,000 murdered recently are not a big enough number of deaths to really get excited over.  But this stupidity has its ultimate consequences that are best summarized by Francois Bugingo, writing in the “Le Journal de Montrèal”.   There he warns the West for ignoring “the slow death of Nigeria” because in so doing, we “gradually open the door to our own hell.”

Now you can never say, Bugingo and I, didn’t warn you.  – Ken Godevenos, Toronto.

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God’s Employment Standards Act: Part 2 -- Exodus 21:5-6

“‘But if the slave plainly says, “I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,” then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost.  And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.’”
 

While God did not prescribe slavery, He still cares about those who are in slavery.  In the passage before this one, God stipulates that no one can be owned as a slave for longer than six years, at which point he becomes a free man, but has to leave his master only with what he came with.   That presented quite a dilemma for those slaves that married and/or perhaps had children while serving their masters as the new additions to the family (wife and/or children) had to be left behind.

I cannot help but think of the fact that leaving one’s master as a slave is akin to leaving this world the way Job described in the book about him (Job 1:21) where we read, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return.”  That is the natural plight of man and woman.  We deserve nothing more.

But God once again provides a way out for the slave or the person who wants something more.  As part of his dignity, the slave has the option to save his family under certain conditions.  The first condition is that he loves his master as well as his wife and children.  The second condition is that he is prepared to give up his freedom permanently.

Once that is decided, and once the master agrees to keep him (and what master would not for had this been a bad slave, I am sure he would have been discarded of long ago), the master than takes “him to God”.  Most commentators take that to mean that somehow the arrangement that is about to be formalized be done so before the judges that had been appointed by Moses to rule the people (Exodus 18) or at the very least before witnesses, as representative of those holding us accountable before God (much like at a marriage ceremony today).

This arrangement was to be an everlasting commitment and thus there needed to be a sign that clearly denoted it as such.  In this case, the sign was a hole pierced through the ear of the slave.

The parallel aspects between this slave to physical bondage and us as slaves to sin are not too difficult to detect here.  Like the slave in this passage, we have a choice to make as to whether we want to go freely into the world and try to profit from it (much like the Prodigal Son parable we read about in the New Testament) or whether we want to remain in the household of our Master and in our case our Creator.  If we choose the latter, then we become His permanently and our confession of faith before others and God, along with how we live in service to Him, become the marks of commitment.

And Christ, the Son of God, is our ultimate role model in this.  He became as a servant who emptied Himself, gave up any personal status (became of no reputation), and humbled Himself to serve, not by law, but by willingness (Philippians 2:6-7).  Thus we can refer to Him as the ‘pierced ear servant’ who freely, by choice, submitted Himself to His Father’s will.

Yes, God provides a way out from our bondage to sin and in so doing we can be saved, provide for our loved ones, and serve our Master.   Are you there yet?

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The People Cannot Meet Pharaoh’s Increased Demands -- Exodus 5:10-14

So the taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I am not going to give you any straw.  You go and get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it; but none of your labor will be reduced.’”  So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.  And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your work quota, our daily amount, just as when you had straw.”  Moreover, the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not completed our required amount either yesterday or today in making brick as previously?”

 

Angry at the requests of Aaron and Moses, Pharaoh decides to make the laboring of his Hebrew slaves even harder.  His taskmasters and foremen (two different levels of command) go out and inform the people of his new wishes.  We note that they quote Pharaoh either in order to give the new instructions their proper authority (likely the reason the taskmasters did so) or as a way of indirectly telling the Hebrews it was not they that were doing this (likely the reason the foremen who worked directly with slaves did so).

In order to meet the demands of the Pharaoh, the Hebrews had to scatter throughout Egypt to gather stubble for straw, and then return to where they were making bricks to still manufacture the same amount of bricks as before within the same period of time.  Each day, as fields were scavenged and cleared, the Hebrews had to go further and further, which took up more time.  This resulted in a very tall demand which many would find impossible to accomplish.  While the Egyptians may have had their bountiful sources of straw, the Hebrews could only find ‘stubble’ from fields where the wheat or straw had long been reaped.

Many questions could be asked here.  How far did they really have to go?  How was this organized?  Who supervised them?  And so on.  I think we just have to take the Scriptures at their word that this did indeed happen somehow.  Maybe our ‘time frames’ are out.  Or maybe we are missing some other information that would make it all seem plausible to us.  But we do know some Hebrews could not accomplish the task and the taskmasters would press them to do so.  Those who have seen the old classic movie, The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston may well remember the dreadful scenes of Hebrews being whipped for their inability to keep up.

And then the passage introduces us to the fact that the ‘foremen’ rank (either all of them or just some of them) was comprised of actual Hebrews who were selected to assist the Egyptian taskmasters in getting the work out of their people.  This is very similar to trade union shops where we have management supervisors but union foremen today.  The interesting thing was that the taskmasters beat these Hebrew foremen for their inability to get their charges producing at the required levels.  I suppose the old idea being that since you cannot beat and punish all those falling short, get at least their leaders and thus try to motivate them (for their own sake) to get the others to fall in line.

Chuck Smith in his C2000 series on this passage refers us to the findings of archeologists in the area of one of these cities that the Hebrews built for the Pharaoh.  There the digs provided evidence of bricks with evenly spread straw throughout them in the lower parts of the walls.  Higher up it was uneven straw spread in the bricks and near the top of the walls there was only stubble and even roots to be found in the bricks.  This is a clear testimony to this passage in Exodus.  One can actually see this in the ruins of Pithim.

David Guzik points out that life under the leadership of Moses and his brother, Aaron, was not going too well for the children of Israel.  This had to be very disappointing for them and for Moses.  To whom will the Hebrews turn now that things are even worse?

As I searched for the meaning of this passage for us today, I was led to the commentary of Matthew Henry.  He says it so well:

See here, (1.) What a miserable thing slavery is, and what reason we have to be thankful to God that we are a free people, and not oppressed. Liberty and property are valuable jewels in the eyes of those whose services and possessions lie at the mercy of an arbitrary power. (2.) What disappointments we often meet with after the raising of our expectations. The Israelites were now lately encouraged to hope for enlargement, but behold greater distresses. This teaches us always to rejoice with trembling. (3.) What strange steps God sometimes takes in delivering his people; he often brings them to the utmost straits when he is just ready to appear for them. The lowest ebbs go before the highest tides; and very cloudy mornings commonly introduce the fairest days, Deut. 32:36. God’s time to help is when things are at the worst; and Providence verifies the paradox, The worse the better.

So what do we make of it all.  I believe many of us live in similar circumstances today, either individually or as a society.  We value our freedom, but stand the chance of losing it.  Many recently had their hopes raised as they were promised ‘change’ – whether it was in their home life from a spouse, in their work from a boss, in their church from an elders’ board, or in their nation from a president.  But greater distress, as Henry says, resulted.  What do we do?  Henry suggests we have to ‘rejoice with trembling’ that God is in control.  We have to realize that as God He can take some ‘strange steps’ to deliver us.

Are you and I at our lowest ebb?  If so do not fret, the highest tide is coming.  One cannot value a very clear and fair day unless a cloudy one preceded it.  And here is the clincher for me – to know that as Matthew Henry says, “God’s time to help is when things are at the worst.”  We’re nearly home, friends.

[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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Helping a Loved One Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

I agreed to review this book because the topic fascinated me.  Throughout my many decades of life I had come across people who operated in groups that were somewhat foreign to me. Some people held beliefs which were not only different than mine, but, for the most part, they were based on the statements or claims of another human being, and added to, subtracted from, or misrepresented the ‘truth’ as I was reading it in the Bible.  When these beliefs were dangerous, I learned to dub the groups as “cults”.  When they were just plain “ridiculous” but otherwise less harmful, I could well have dubbed them as “belief controllers” and when it was an individual imprisoning the thoughts, feelings, actions of one or more other people, I referred to them as “controllers” and where such control was extreme, as “absuers”.

It is with that background that I dove into Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs by Steven Hassan, Freedom of Mind Press, Newton, Mass., 2012. (244 pages, paperback)

The author has provided the reader with a well-organized book by first identifying the common threads that run through cults while at the same time making no bones about some of the reasons why now more than ever more people are susceptible to cults.  He proceeds to describe various approaches to ‘rescuing’ people from cults that have been employed in the past, pointing out their strengths as well as their shortcomings, and he zeroes in on the approach he has developed over the years known as the ‘Strategic Interactive Approach’ (SIA).

What struck me here, and I am so glad that he keeps repeating it throughout the book is the need for understanding that success (having your loved one leave the control of a cult or individual) depends most critically on you (his/her loved one) and your team being patient, very patient, and taking ‘baby steps’ towards the outcome.  That is a very hard pill to swallow for some, but there is no circumventing it.

Once we can accept that, he then takes us very thoroughly through the steps of properly evaluating the situation, building the right team, examining our own lives, and understanding the beliefs and tactics used by the controllers and the person being controlled.  Chapters of the book are devoted to recognizing and interacting with the victim’s (your loved one) “dual identities” – his/her real self and the self they have adopted as a member of the cult they are now part of.  He shows us how to recognize each, how to communicate appropriately, and how to help unlock the phobias that the victim may be operating under.  Finally, Hassan goes into great detail in how to plan and hold an actual intervention should it become necessary.

Steven Hassan is not only America’s leading cult expert, but he speaks and writes from the personal experience of having been a former all sold-out cult member for some time.  He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s degree in counseling psychology from Cambridge College and he has appeared on numerous well-known television and radio shows.  He currently leads Freedom of Mind Resources Center Inc. in Newton, Mass.  This must read for every person who either knows or believes someone they love is being controlled by others can be obtained at bookstores or through www.freedomofmind.com .

Freedom of Mind, while generally secular in nature, is for the most part, friendly to true and valid religions, even defining what makes them so compared to cults.  As a Christian, the book provided me with the understanding of how loved ones of victims can prepare themselves for what needs to be done while still depending totally on the grace and will of God for the final outcome.

-- Ken B. Godevenos, President, www.accordconsulting.com , Toronto, ON.

[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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If you have been sexually abused, or know someone who has been . . . please listen to this.

Ladies, this short video speaks for itself. I challenge you to hear it, show it others, and as appropriate accept Christine's claims as your very own.

Christine Caine testimony - Beloved womens event - YouTube


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I Am Denmark is a Great 3 min. Video: America, U.K., Canada does not have the guts to make such a video.

Many western countries need to be making a short video just like this. But do they have the will or the guts? America does not for sure. Or do they? Not under Obama. Others? Probably not. We'll need our own type of Spring before we get to that.

I Am Denmark - YouTube

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The New Libya: No Room for Jews

And you thought things would be a little friendlier without Gaddafi, and with the new rulers of Libya. Think again. This kind of thing is repeating itself all over the group of countries involved in the Arab Spring. The Islamic uprising against Jews is tremendous. But first, they get the support of the U.S. and NATO by claiming the pursuit of freedom against dictatorship. And the U.S. and NATO give them support without conditions.

In essence, our people are supporting the undermining of the Jews worldwide and we'll pay a price for that one day. If not for that, we'll pay a price for facilitating the growth and world takeover of Islamic radicals. Enjoy your dream or wake up.   Hear are the ugly details.

Following calls for deportation, Gerbi to ... JPost - Middle East

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Can You Imagine The Implications if This Case is Won By the University in Court?

The plan is clear -- Vanderbilt University does not want Christian groups to expect their leaders to participate in Christian activities. Yes, you read this correctly. Get the details in the link below.

But before you do, know this. If this case goes to court, and it might, and if it ends up in the Supreme Court, and the Christian Legal Society loses it, and it may -- well, I venture to say that it won't be long before some of us are worshiping at Christian churches managed or led by atheist pastors or people of other faiths. Yes, you read me correctly.

You think I am going a bit too far? Check out the link and then just do some extrapolation into the future possibilities brought to you by your over-active Enemy at work. He knows he'll get little opposition from the majority of us. All we at Accord do is draw these things to your attention. The rest is up to you. Maybe you and your church need to start standing up for some things.

Professor Says Vanderbilt Suppressing Christian Student Groups Amid Shutdown Threats | Fox News

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Why 'Son of Sam' serial killer David Berkowitz won't seek parole

Imbedded in this article if you click on the link below is a question: "Do you believe David Berkowitz sincerely has found God and regrets his crimes?" You get a chance to reply if you want. I didn't like the choices, so I didn't. But here's my answer to the question:

"You can never determine this with 100% certainty -- not for the Son of Sam or for anyone else for that matter. It is something that is known only by God and His Son, Jesus Christ. What you can do is increase your knowledge of what the truth may be by knowing more about Berkowitz (or any person) from those that work and/or live with him daily, by observing what he does, how he relates to others, how he deals with personal challenges, and how he does or does not cultivate his personal relationship with Christ and God. That may help you."

Now it's your turn to read the article and answer the question for us here on this blog or on FB.  And while you're at it tell us what you think, "Should spiritual freedom negate an life inmate's desire for physical freedom?

'Son of Sam' serial killer David Berkowitz: I won't seek parole, Jesus already made me 'free man': Do you believe David Berkowitz sincerely has found God and regrets his crimes?

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Kenyans allowed to sue UK for colonial abuse

Recently my wife and I saw the movie, "The First Grader" about an 84 year old Kenyan who wanted to learn how to read. He was also a Mau Mau and much of the movie is flashbacks to how he was treated by the British Colonials who also murdered his wife and two young children. It's based on a true story.

Now four of his Mau Mau colleagues that had taken the oath to fight for Kenya's independence have been given the okay by British courts to sue the United Kingdom for the treatment they received.

This is encouraging news, because if what we saw in the movie was only 1/4 true, somebody needs to make sure this kind of thing never happens again to people turned soldiers fighting for their country's freedom. It's one thing to waterboard someone who commits mass murder terrorist attacks, it's another to torture and then kill men, kill their wives, and traumatize and kill their children, in order to get the men to renounce an oath they have taken. I'm sure I'll be hearing from some of you on this.

Kenyans allowed to sue UK for colonial abuse - Europe - Al Jazeera English

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Epistoli Highly Recommends: The First Grader

As someone who has been to Africa twice so far and especially to Kenya, I was intrigued by this movie.  I did not regret the decision to see it -- regardless of what the critics say.   Both my wife and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  We've seen these schools first-hand and the conditions in which education is supposed to take place.  We've also seen the poverty that keeps some children out (of free education) if they can't afford a uniform, a notebook, or a pencil.  We've still felt the ever so veiled prejudice one old tribe still has for another.

This movie helped us put it into perspective providing the history of Kenya before we ever got interested in it.   I highly recommend it for anyone that has been to Africa or anyone going.  If you've been, you'll identify with what you see.  If you are going, this will help you get prepared for what you will see, hear, and feel.   A must see for short-term and long-term mission participants as well.  (Not recommended for children due to some of the scenes depicting the violence that took place during the revolution to free Kenya.)   It is based on a real story.  It will stay in your mind for a long time.

Only playing in select theaters, but you may be able to find it soon on DVD for purchase or rental.  Make the effort.

The First Grader - Official Movie Site - National Geographic Movies

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Think Twice About Freedom of Speech in America and Of Sending Your Kids to Study There.

What I recommend is that you first watch the video at the link below. I watched on a full-screen and the impact is significant. You decide whether the speaker was prevented from speaking freely. You decide if there was a collusion by a number of students to block the free speech of the speaker. You decide how well or poorly the administration and the security treated the so-called hecklers.

Then once you watch the video, click on the second link below and see how differently the New York Times covered the latest result on this event. Then tell me how fair the media is.

YouTube - Israeli ambassador Michael Oren heckled at University of California

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/03/11/us/AP-US-University-Tension.html?_r=3&ref=global-home

-- Thank for dropping by. Sign up to receive free updates. We bring you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe for free to this blog or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. And please share this blog with your friends. Ken Godevenos, Church and Management Consultant, Accord Consulting.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Abortion and Blacks and Liberals and Freedom and Us

I am indeed ticked again.    Let me give you the background.  An association buys, as part of a national campaign, billboard space.  The billboard agency approves the advertisement which basically says, "the most danger place for an African American is in the womb."   The connection is obvious.  It points to the very high incidence of abortion among Blacks in America and is part of an anti-abortion campaign.  One of these billboards is in New York City.  Now, let's see what takes place next.

It so happens the New York billboard is on a building where there's a restaurant.  The staff complain they are being harassed by patrons who are against the billboard's message.   Really?  Why would a server be harassed because of a paid advertisement on their building?   I thought America was a free country.  Wrong again.

In addition, the agency hears there's going to be a protest by those against the message in the ad.  (That was scheduled for today.)  Well, yesterday they decide that both these situations raise concerns about "public safety" and down comes the ad.   Wait a minute.  Somebody paid for that advertisement.  It's perfectly legal and they had a deal.   If there's some public safety issues, that's why we have thousands of NYC police officers.  But no, the billboard ad comes down.

Before you go to the link below (and I recommend you do and watch the short video therein too), let me ask you one question:  Suppose for a moment that the ad was a legitimate legal advertisement for the gay and lesbian lifestyle or about "free information on, and discount rates for, abortion".   And this time the conservatives threaten to protest and bugged the servers in the restaurant about the ad.  Suppose that and then answer this question:  Would the ad come down?  No.   Would police be called on to control the protesters?  Yes.

So, what's wrong with this picture, folks?   Are you angry yet?  I hope so.  Because this is the new America.    And now it's my turn to start attaching some blame.  I blame ourselves -- the conservatists, and in particular the conservative Christians that can't get our act together to peacefully but in total unity get together and say "enough is enough".  Instead, we pick on each other and unless someone believes in exactly everything we believe in, we refuse to join hands with them and stand up for what is moral, what is right, what is godly.

So, there you have it.  I said.  I feel better.  But it doesn't change anything.  Denominational leaders you need to get your people off their butts, stop worrying about your ability to give out charitable tax receipts, and bring people together for the Truth and what is Moral.   You'll have a lot to answer for one day if you don't.

Please pass this blog on to others who may feel the same way. 

Billboard focused on African-American abortions was taken down - CNN.com

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"World Freedom Decreases Again" - I Said This Recently, but Here's a Better Source

The annual report on world freedom is out again, and things, for the fifth year in a row, are heading in the wrong direction. Not sure who is taking note and who should be. At least Christians, I'm hoping, are paying attention. Take a look. Things do not bode well. Still, we have Hope.

Freedom Gone South - By Joshua E. Keating | Foreign Policy

-- Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive updates. -- Ken B. Godevenos, Church & Mgmt. Consultant, bringing you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe free to Epistoli or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. An don’t forget to “share” this blog with your friends by clicking the “Share” link on your Navigation Bar.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.