Journalism Current Event 6/3/11

Lawsuit Filed Against Texas School District to Stop Prayer During Graduation

Summary: This article discusses a federal lawsuit that was filed on Friday by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. It was filed on behalf of a Mr. and Mrs. Schultz against a Texas school district to prevent them from  having prayer at graduation. The Schultz's have three children attending schools in the district, and say their son might not attend his own graduation this year if they pray. The Schultz family says they are agnostic. The group wants the student-led invocation and benediction removed from the commencement as they say it violates the separation of church and state. However, the school insists that it does not violate any laws or school policy. This lawsuit seems to be an attention grabber. The Schultz family seems to be in need of some media attention because their grounds for filing seem to be a little ridiculous. Granted, there may be a controversy because it is  public funded school, but the involvement of the family seems to be only an attention grabber and not worth the attention it is getting.

The Core Biblical Truth for this article is the one on sin. It says, "Mankind is totally depraved and his sinful nature can be seen throughout history. Law and government were established to restrain this depravity in the governors as well as the governed." This applies because if mankind were not sinful, everyone would acknowledge Christ as Lord and there would be no need for separation of church and state, and therefore no basis for this ridiculous lawsuit.

Journalism Current Event 5/20/11

Obama Speech On Israel Generates Backlash

Summary: This article is going into detail on the implications of the infamous speech President Obama made on Thursday, right before Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu came to America. The President has demanded that as a starting point to talks with Palestine, Israel and the U.S., Israel must go back to their 1967 territory lines. This would give the Palestinians (namely the Hamas) chance to destroy the most holy sites of Judaism and Christianity, not to mention cross the indefensible lines into the nation itself. The President's outrageous demands have gone way beyond past presidents' U.S. policies concerning peace talks. Not to mention, Obama basically threw out a previous commitment made by the Bush administration (and passed by both members of Congress-including a 'yes' vote from then- senator Hillary Clinton) that said it was unrealistic to expect peace talks to result in a total adherence to the 1967 territory lines. With 350,000 Israelis living outside this border, Netanyahu completely rejected Obama's demands as it would lead to a more modern-day version of the Holocaust.

The Core Biblical Truth that applies to this is the one on creation. It says, "God's faithfulness is evident in the past and He has revealed Himself to man throughout history." This applies because it is exactly true in Israel's history. We know from Scripture, that God will preserve His chosen people, and there is no possibility of total destruction. He preserved them through the Holocaust and will preserve them still if Obama somehow manages to force them to go back to the '67 agreement. God is still faithful and He will keep every promise He has made to the nation of Israel.

Journalism Current Event 5/13/11

Oregon Moves Closer to Crackdown on Suicide Kits

Summary: This article is about bill being voted on in Oregon, in response to the suicide of a 29 year old man who ordered a kit from a company in California to help him commit suicide. The state Senate has already unanimously approved the bill and is waiting for the House vote to happen as soon as next week. Ironically, this state is the one that allows assisted suicide for terminally ill patients through the expertise of doctors. However, lawmakers argue that these kits have no safeguards and "take advantage of the vulnerable". This bill would prohibit the sale or transfer of any items to people with knowledge that they are going to use it to commit suicide. The difference between this bill and the law for terminally ill patients is that these kits have been made available to minors as well.

The Core Biblical Truth that applies to this is the one on Sin. It says, "Mankind is totally depraved and his sinful nature is seen throughout history.  Law and government were established to restrain this depravity in the governors as well as the governed." It's incredible that someone has to promote a bill to prohibit suicide kits; but since they are out there, it is and will be extremely beneficial. The fact that man would even consider killing his own life, that was given to him from God demonstrates total depravity. This bill is an enactment of an effort to restrain this sinful nature.