Double Standard: Praying Coach Pays the Price for Following Jesus - TODD STARNES CHARISMA NEWS

Coach Joe Kennedy (Courtesy/First Liberty Institute )

Double Standard: Praying Coach Pays the Price for Following Jesus

 8/9/2016 TODD STARNES  CHARISMA NEWS

High school football coach Joe Kennedy was fired for praying and now he wants his job back.

Kennedy, a former Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Bremerton School District in Washington State, claiming he was let go because of his religious beliefs.

The school district has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

"They fired him for praying," said Michael Berry, the coach's attorney. Berry is with First Liberty Institute, one of the nation's largest law firms handling religious liberty cases.

"If a school can do this to someone like Coach Kennedy, they can do it to anybody," Berry told me.

The coach is not asking for a single penny in his lawsuit—he just wants his job back.

"All we really want for him—is to be back on the sideline coaching those kids—and nothing more," Berry said.

Here's the back story:

Since 2008, Coach Kennedy has taken a knee at the 50-yard line at the conclusion of every football game to offer a brief, quiet prayer of thanksgiving—for player safety, sportsmanship and spirited competition.

The coach's petition to the Almighty usually lasted about 30 seconds. He did not proselytize nor did he compel players or anyone else to participate. In other words, it was just a private prayer, not a Billy Graham Crusade. 

He was inspired to pray after watching Facing the Giants, a faith-based film about a high school football team.

"Coach Kennedy made a covenant with God that he would give thanks through prayer, at the end of each game, for what the players had accomplished and for the opportunity to be part of their lives through the game of football," the lawsuit states.

Over time, some of the teenage players asked if they could join him in prayer and the coach replied, "This is a free country. You can do what you want."

The lawsuit also points out that other coaches engaged in religious expression at the beginning and the end of football games. The lawsuit specifically mentioned David Boynton, an assistant coach who delivered a Buddhist chant near the 50-yard line.

"Coach Boynton has never been suspended, let alone dismissed, on the basis of his religious expression," the lawsuit states.

It's not quite clear what led to the school district's investigation, but on Sept. 17, 2015, Coach Kennedy received a letter informing him that the district was conducting an inquiry into a policy regarding "religious-related activities and practices."

The district directed the coach to refrain from praying around students—or doing anything that might cause people to think he was praying. He was forbidden from bowing his head or kneeling too.

However, Coach Kennedy chose to defy the district's demands, and on Oct. 23, 2015, he walked out to the 50-yard line after the football game and prayed. On Oct. 28, 2015 the coach was placed on paid administrative leave and banned from participating in the football program.

"The District stated it had placed Coach Kennedy on administrative leave because he 'engaged in overt, public religious displays on the football field while on duty as a coach,'" the lawsuit states.

In November 2015, Coach Kennedy received a poor performance evaluation—after years of receiving stellar performance reviews.

The evaluation recommended that the coach not be rehired "based on his alleged failure to follow District policy regarding religious expression, and his alleged failure to supervise students after games."

In January 2016, Coach Kennedy's contract was not renewed.

Attorney Berry said they tried to reach out to the school district on a number of occasions but the district's attorney declined to meet.

So on Jan. 30, 2016 the coach filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In June the Department of Justice issued a right-to-sue letter.

Coach Kennedy told me he has no regrets.

"I wouldn't do anything differently," he said. "I've always taught my guys to stand up for what they believe in—even if it's not popular."

Coach Kennedy is also leading by example—demonstrating that sometimes there is a price to pay for doing the right thing. But as we learned in Sunday school, good will eventually triumph over evil.

And I suspect there are lots of folks in Bremerton who would rather stand alongside a Christian Marine Corps veteran than a bunch of godless school district bureaucrats.

One final note—I really wish the Bremerton school superintendent would return my telephone calls because there's a question I'd like him to answer:

If it's OK for a Buddhist coach to pray at a football game, why can't a Christian coach pray?

Todd Starnes is host of "Fox News & Commentary," heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.

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Democrats, LGBT Activists' Sinister Plan to Crack Down on Christian Schools - TODD STARNES CHARISMA NEWS

Democrats, LGBT Activists' Sinister Plan to Crack Down on Christian Schools

 6/24/2016 TODD STARNES  charisma news

If California Democrats have their way, Christian colleges and universities will no longer be allowed to require students attend chapel services or require them to profess a relationship with Jesus Christ. (Jay Galvin/Flickr/Creative Commons)

If California Democrats have their way, Christian colleges and universities will no longer be allowed to require students attend chapel services or require them to profess a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Senate Bill 1146 would close a loophole that lawmakers say allows Christian universities to discriminate against students based on their gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

"All students deserve to feel safe in institutions of higher education, regardless of whether they are public or private," said Senator Ricardo Lara, the author of the legislation. "California has established strong protections for the LGBTQ community and private universities should not be able to use faith as an excuse to discriminate and avoid complying with state laws."

The legislation has already passed the Senate and is expected to clear hurdles in the Assembly. Thus far, Lara has refused to compromise with the state's Christian colleges and universities.

"No university should have a license to discriminate," he said in a statement. 

If the loophole is closed, it would only exempt schools that prepare students for pastoral ministry. 

"It discriminates against religious colleges, said John Jackson, the president of William Jessup University. "If we don't play ball with state—the state will attempt to drive us out of existence."

The president of the Sacramento-based university called the proposed legislation chilling.

"The passage of this bill would destroy the foundation upon which this university was founded," said Jackson. "Systematically discriminating against religious institutions and preventing student access and choice to Christian higher education is bad policy and will have a negative effect on the state of California."

Lee Wilhite, vice president of university communications at Biola University, said they, too, have serious concerns with the bill.

"It functionally eliminates the religious liberty of all California faith-based universities," he told me. "It really does infringe on how we carry out our mission."

Like most Christian universities, Biola integrates the Bible through all of their courses—something they've been doing for more than 100 years.

If the loophole is closed, it could have a devastating impact on faith-based institutions.

"We would no longer be able to require a profession of faith for students," Wichita said. "That's something Biola requires of all incoming students."

Schools would no longer be allowed to integrate faith throughout their teaching curriculum, he added. 

Leaders at three universities I spoke to say that they would not be allowed to require mandatory chapel attendance or mandatory core units of Bible courses.

"The danger for Biola University is that it prevents us from carrying out our mission the way we have for 108 years," Wichita said. "It would eliminate our ability to continue our mission. That's why it has our attention."

The legislation would also give students a right to sue if—for example—they were offended by a prayer in a class.

Biola and William Jessup refute the notion that LGBT students are discriminated against on their campuses.

"We don't tolerate harassment or bullying of any of our students," Wilhite told me. 

Many of the schools are working with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities to urge Lara to amend his bill to include a religious exemption.

"If passed without amendments, the new law would also very likely disqualify students attending California Christian colleges and universities from eligibility for Cal Grants, a key state-level student aid program," wrote Kurt Krueger, president of Concordia University Irvine. 

Azusa Pacific University President Jon Wallace, penned a passionate op-ed for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 

"Sen. Lara wants to safeguard LGBT students. We want the same protection for all students, including members of the LGBT community. The bill calls for more transparency from schools about their beliefs and recourse for unfair treatment. We share his concerns about student safety, transparency and recourse. With every prospective student, we share who we are, we provide the framework for how we build community and do life together and we ask those who enroll to uphold our student standards of conduct. Right now the proposed bill would invite challenges to required chapel attendance and public and communal observation of Christian sacraments such as the Eucharist and baptisms, among other activities central to our identity."

Several of the universities I contacted said they are going to respectfully stand their ground—even if it means taking their case to the Supreme Court of the United States. 

"We are not willing to change our policies," Jackson said. "There is a very intentional attempt to marginalize those who don't accept the notions of sexual orientation and gender identity as the government has framed them."

And Jackson warned that what's happening in California could happen in other parts of the country. 

"Religious freedoms are in play in California," Jackson told me. "Ultimately, I'm concerned that what begins in California rolls across the nation."

Todd Starnes is host of "Fox News & Commentary," heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.

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Mega-Christian Leaders Having Private Meeting With Donald Trump - TODD STARNES CHARISMA NEWS

Mega-Christian Leaders Having Private Meeting With Donald Trump

 5/23/2016 TODD STARNES  charisma news

Donald Trump has agreed to meet privately with some of the nation's most prominent Evangelical leaders. (Reuters)

Donald Trump has agreed to meet privately with some of the nation's most prominent Evangelical leaders—a meeting seen as critical to garnering support from social conservatives, Fox News has learned.

"Our goal is to be able to have a conversation that could lead to a better understanding of what Donald Trump has to offer to the country," said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

Perkins is one of the key conservative leaders spearheading the gathering—set for June 21 in New York City. Perkins, along with Bill Dallas of United in Purpose, worked with Dr. Ben Carson to arrange the meeting.

As many as 500 conservative leaders from around the nation are expected to attend the invitation-only event.

The meeting was convened by a who's who among evangelicals—including Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd, James Dobson, Ralph Reed, Penny Nance, Bob McEwen, Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association, Kelly Shackleford of First Liberty and mega-church pastors Jack Graham and Ed Young.

"I want to be actively supportive of a candidate who can help turn this nation around," Perkins told me. "With Trump, I'm not there yet. I hope to be there—but I'm not there right now."

Perkins said Trump will not be delivering a speech. He will be there to answer questions. There will be no straw poll. There will be no endorsement from the conservative leaders.

"There is no preconceived outcome here," he told me. "I'm hoping we can have a conversation that could lead to helping conservative leaders make a decision about what to do in this election."

The meeting comes as a small but vocal number of Christian leaders are urging people of faith to stay at home on Election Day.

And that's why Tony Perkins is worried.

"Our goal is to be able to have a conversation that could lead to a better understanding of what Trump has to offer to the country," he said. "If we don't try, the outcome is not going to be good."

Specifically, the leaders want to hear detailed plans on potential Supreme Court nominees and the vetting process. They also want to hear about Trump's policies regarding religious liberty, pro-life issues and possible vice presidential candidates.

"A vice presidential pick is going to be very crucial," Perkins said. "Mr. Trump doesn't have a track record—so I am going to rely very heavily on who he is going to pick as a running mate."

Floyd, the president of the nation's largest Protestant denomination, said he just wants to do the right thing.

"The vast majority of Southern Baptists are very much where I am today—we're trying to figure this out," he told me. "We're trying to navigate through these waters that are very uncertain and very difficult."

Floyd had strong words for Christian leaders who are suggesting voters should simply stay home.

"We cannot change what exists or even alter it or adjust it sitting on the sidelines and prognosticating about the situation," he said. "We have a biblical responsibility, but we also have a responsibility as citizens of the United States to express the privileges afforded to us—that men and women have died on the battlefield to give us—and I'm not walking away from that."

Floyd said the conversation with Trump is a way for Christians to share their hearts with him.

"None of us have endorsed Mr. Trump, nor have we condemned Mr. Trump," he said. "This is about the possibility of being able to appoint the next four Supreme Court justices. This is about the dignity of human life from the womb to the tomb. This is about religious freedom. I'm not about to sit at home and not express something. I'm accountable to God, and I believe I'm accountable to my fellow Americans."

But at the same time, he acknowledged that many people of faith are struggling to come to terms with some of Mr. Trump's past statements—statements that are contrary to biblical teachings.

"Could you vote for him? That's the question at hand," Floyd said.

Todd Starnes is host of "Fox News & Commentary," heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.

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America Is Dying One Weak-Willed Governor at a Time - BRYAN FISCHER/AMERICAN FAMILY RADIO CHARISMA NEWS

America Is Dying One Weak-Willed Governor at a Time

3/30/2016 BRYAN FISCHER/AMERICAN FAMILY RADIO  CHARISMA NEWS

(Reuters photo)

According to the Founders, government has been established, not to give us rights, but to secure the unalienable rights given to us by God. 

Among these rights are religious liberty. In fact, according to the First Amendment, the free exercise of religion is the very first right government is pledged to guarantee and protect. 

Somebody needs to send a copy of that amendment to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican and self-identified Southern Baptist, who evidently has forgotten all about it. In so doing, he has vetoed away what is left of religious liberty in the Peach State. 

Gov. Deal is the poster child for how we are losing America: one cowardly governor at a time. One after another, we have seen supposedly principled governors cravenly cave to the bullies and bigots of Big Gay. The Gay Gestapo has claimed another victim in Gov. Deal and every freedom loving Georgian will pay the price. 

Gov. Deal has vetoed a religious liberty bill that is about as mild a bill as you can imagine. It would have protected pastors from being forced to perform same-sex weddings, and churches and other faith-based organizations from being forced to rent out their facilities for wedding ceremonies which celebrate the infamous crime against nature.

Thus Gov. Deal is now on record declaring to one and all that he doesn't mind if a Southern Baptist pastor is compelled by government to officiate a gay wedding or get punished in the process. He's just fine with a church or a Christian school being ordered by government to rent its facility for a gay wedding or to a homosexual activist group, or else. 

In other words, Gov. Deal, as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence did before him, has abandoned any pretext of protecting Christians from discrimination in his state. As one lawmaker bluntly put it, "It's open season on people of faith" in Georgia. 

The bill had been virtually eviscerated before it even got to the governor's desk. Even if the governor had signed it, it would have provided no protection at all for Christian vendors who exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to the free exercise of religion in the way they run their businesses. Christian bakers, florists, photographers, T-shirt makers and so forth are now officially left high and dry in Georgia, abandoned by the very official who has taken an oath before God to protect them. 

About all that was left in the bill was protection for what pastors and churches and faith-based organizations do inside the four walls of their own buildings. Now even that protection has vanished like a whiff of smoke and the governor has left them without a shred of legal protection. 

The governor piously claimed, "I do not respond well to insults or threats," and then vetoed the bill after Coca-Cola, Netflix, Apple, Time Warner, Marriott, Walt Disney and the NFL rattled their sabers.

The governor is right. He does not respond well to insults and threats. He folded like a cheap accordion at a Lawrence Welk concert. 

As Todd Starnes put it, he "was more interested in protecting the Almighty Dollar than he was protecting followers of the Almighty." 

If you want a three-word Snapchat to explain why we are losing America and why the Republican Party is being abandoned in droves by people of principle, here it is: Governor Nathan Deal.

Bryan Fischer is the host of the two-hour weekday radio program "Focal Point" on American Family Radio.

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Hollywood Finally Tells a Great Bible Story - TODD STARNES CHARISMA NEWS

Hollywood Finally Tells a Great Bible Story

2/19/2016 TODD STARNES  charisma news

Photo above: Joseph Fiennes in "Risen." (Courtesy/Sony/Affirm Films)

Let's be honest. Hollywood does not exactly have the best track record when it comes to producing accurate faith-based movies. Remember the giant rock creatures from Noah?

So when I heard that Sony Pictures was about to release a faith-based film called Risen, I was a bit skeptical. Typically faith-based movies are faith-bashing movies.

And when Risen earned three-and-a-half stars from the left wingers at the Seattle Times, I was incredulous.

But when I saw the film's trailer, I was astonished—Hollywood got it right.

Risen is a powerful telling of the aftermath of the resurrection of Jesus told from the perspective of a non-believer—a Roman military officer.

Joseph Fiennes plays Clavius, assigned to investigate the disappearance of Jesus' body. It's like an old-school detective noir story—think C.S.I. Jerusalem.

"It's a movie that sees the resurrection through the eyes of a nonbeliever," Fiennes told me. "It's a wonderful, fresh way in seeing the story of Christ unfold through the eyes of a skeptic."

Fiennes is well-aware of Hollywood's past attempts to bring Bible stories to the big screen. Anybody choke on their popcorn during Noah and EXODUS: God and Kings?

The ever-diplomatic Fiennes did not name names, but he did refer to "revisionist films" that "polarized a lot of people." On the other hand, there are the cinephiles who took issue with "preachy and conservative and low-production value Christian films" that did not speak to them.

That's why Affirm Films and Sony Pictures went the extra mile to make sure they got Risen right.

"We strived very hard in getting the balance between cinema and Scripture," Fiennes said. "Working with the church communities in the process of making the film has allowed us to stay as true as possible to Scripture."

At the same time, they were also tasked with producing a solid work of art.

"It's a film, and we want people to have a great cinematic experience," Fiennes told me.

In other words—it's a night at the movies—not a Sunday morning church service.

"We are not selling religion or pushing religion," he said. "We are pushing for great cinema and great storytelling and I believe we got the balance right."

And so do many evangelical Christian leaders—most notably revered media critic Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission.

"It is a very powerful dramatic movie," Baehr said in a video posted on his website. "It's a powerful heart-rending story. I recommend it for every Christian to take their friends to see Risen."

The film was also endorsed by a group of prominent Christian leaders and ministers.

"It's a movie that makes you think," said Chris Williamson, pastor of Strong Tower Bible Church. "It's not your typical Christian-themed movie—even though it's dominated with Christian themes. If you are an atheist, a new believer, an unbeliever—I think you can find yourself in this film."

Renowned Christian leader Rick White attended a screening of the film in Tennessee. He said the film demonstrates that "it's OK to ask the hard questions" on your spiritual journey.

Mr. Fiennes and Affirm Films and Sony Pictures have demonstrated a deep respect for the Christian faith. And in doing, so they have produced a film that will encourage and challenge and entertain a very diverse audience.

So as a fellow believer, I'd like to share these words with Sony Pictures—thank you.

He is risen. He is risen indeed!

Todd Starnes is host of "Fox News & Commentary," heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.

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Why Are So Many Kids Being Told Public Prayer Is Against the Law? - TODD STARNES CHARISMA NEWS

Prayer is important at Florida's Cambridge Christian School. (Courtesy/Liberty Institute)

Why Are So Many Kids Being Told Public Prayer Is Against the Law?

1/26/2016 TODD STARNES   CHARISMA NEWS

Prayer is important at Florida's Cambridge Christian School.

"We train our students that prayer is foundational to their walk with Christ," Head of School Tim Euler told me. "Our faith is founded in prayer."

So when Cambridge Christian faced off against University Christian School last December in the 2A state championship football game, they asked the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) if they could begin with a word of prayer.

The FHSAA said no.

They told both Christian schools that offering a pre-game prayer was against the law—that it could be viewed as an endorsement of religion since the schools would be praying on government property.

"This is ridiculous," said Jeremy Dys, an attorney with Liberty Institute. "We've got two Christian schools being told they can't pray."

Liberty Institute, a law firm that specializes in religious liberty issues, is representing Cambridge Christian.

Dys said the FHSAA broke the law when they forbade the Christian schools from praying last December at the Citrus Bowl.

"We have the state trying to impose strictures upon the church," he told me. "I think we've gone a long way away from who we are as a country when the state starts telling Christian schools they can no longer pray in public."

Liberty Institute sent a demand letter to the FHSAA demanding a written apology for what they call a "gross violation" of the law. Should they fail to do so, the law firm has threatened to file a federal lawsuit.

The FHSAA has yet to respond to their demands.

The prayer ban disturbed not only the administration but also the football team.

Jacob Enns, the team's 17-year-old kicker, told me the prayer is extremely important.

"It's something we did before every game this season," he said. "It's been our tradition ever since I've been on the team, and our tradition was ruined. It made me wonder, is it wrong to pray?"

Still, the team gathered on the field and recited "The Lord's Prayer" before the game—and some spectators joined in.

"Prayer is something we've been taught to do and to do no matter what—even in public," Jacob told me.

For Cambridge Christian, prayer is a means to glorify God in all that it does—including on the gridiron.

"We are raising godly young men that can make a difference in the world they live in," head coach Bob Dare said. "This is why CCS is so committed to praying before every home football game."

It serves as a reminder to the young men on the field, Euler said.

"Football is great, but in reality their walk with Jesus and prayer is vitally more important," he said.

Todd Starnes is host of "Fox News & Commentary," heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.

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Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog: Which, if any, of the presidential candidates understand Apocalyptic Islam?

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

Which, if any, of the presidential candidates understand Apocalyptic Islam? My conversation with Todd Starnes of Fox News. by joelcrosenberg (Dallas, Texas) -- The other day, I was interviewed by Todd Starnes of Fox News. He asked me about my family's move as a family to Israel and my experience writing novels that seem to foreshadow future terrorist attacks and wars. He also asked me about my take on the 2016 presidential campaign and whether President Obama or the leading presidential candidates understand the threat of Apocalyptic Islam and are prepared to deal with it. Todd just finished reading The First Hostage. He very graciously called it "a page-turning political thriller" and "a riveting account of Islamic radicals kidnapping an American president." And as he opened the podcast, he took me aback by saying, "one of my favorite authors on the entire planet is a guy named Joel C. Rosenberg," noting that he was introduced to my novels through Rush Limbaugh talking about them on his programs. I very much enjoyed our conversation, and it was one of the more thoughtful discussions I've done on the book tour so far. It runs about 30 minutes. Hope you'll take time to listen to the podcast (I've just become a subscriber), and share it with others. Here's a link to the podcast of our interview. Here's a link to the column Todd just wrote for Fox News' website, "Could Obama's nuke deal unleash Iran's Apocalyptic Muslims?" A few excerpts from the column: “Once you understand Apocalyptic Islam, you understand just how dangerous it is to give Iran not just one path to nuclear weapons, but two,” he said. “This president doesn’t understand the threat of radical Islam. He won’t even define that – much less Apocalyptic Islam.” And he doesn’t hold out much hope for the current presidential frontrunners [Secretary Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump] either. “This is a very challenging year when you have a president and two frontrunners who just don’t understand the most serious foreign policy threat of our time,” he said. “That is not comforting.” Rosenberg has offered counsel to several Republican presidential campaigns including Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. “Senator Rubio totally gets it,” he said. “He’s been using that language in the debates and in his speeches.” [NOTE: here's an example of Rubio discussing Apocalyptic Islam.] Among the others who “get it” are Cruz, Jeb Bush and Rick Santorum. [NOTE: here is an example of Cruz discussing Apocalyptic Islam] [NOTE: here is Santorum on the subject, who has led on this subject for many years] [NOTE: here is Jeb on Radical Islam, though I haven't heard him speak specifically on Apocalyptic Islam.] What about Donald Trump? “It’s clear [Trump] doesn’t understand this,” he said. ‘It’s just all bloviating. It’s not so much that the world is facing a future threat -- the threat is already here. “These people are crucifying Christians, they’re beheading people" he said. “They are creating mayhem and really genocidal conditions in Syria and Iraq and our current president is just using half measure to run some sort of public relations war against them." He [President Obama] doesn’t have a plan. -------------------------- Order The First Hostage today — a new political thriller about ISIS launching a chemical weapons attack against Israel, Jordan and the United States — it’s now available in hardcover, e-book and audio formats. FACT SHEET: The Iranian leadership’s Apocalyptic Beliefs FACT SHEET: The Islamic State’s Apocalyptic Beliefs What the next US president will need to know about Iran and Islamic State.(my column in The Jerusalem Post) ——————- Subscribe (free) to the RSS feed (click here) and receive every new posting on this blog directly via email. Order THE THIRD TARGET today , the first in this new series — now out in paperback — the New York Times best-selling novel about ISIS capturing chemical weapons in Syria and plotting genocidal attacks. Make an investment in The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net), our non-profit organization to help Christians care for Syrian refugees, educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, care for the poor and needy in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) with food and other humanitarian relief, care for Holocaust survivors, and strengthen the Church in the epicenter. Read our latest Donor Report, and make a tax deductible, secure, on-line contribution before the end of the year. Follow on Twitter — @joelcrosenberg joelcrosenberg | January 19, 2016 at 4:14 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-3Z4

Franklin Graham: Young Pastors Are Caught Up in Pop Culture - TODD STARNES CHARISMA NEWS

Franklin Graham speaks during one of his Decision America Tour stops. (Courtesy/BGEA)

Franklin Graham: Young Pastors Are Caught Up in Pop Culture

1/12/2016 TODD STARNES  charisma news

Franklin Graham is a voice crying in the wilderness.

"I believe we are perilously close to the moral tipping point for the survival of the United States of America," Graham wrote in Decision magazine. "I refuse to be silent and watch the future of our children and grandchildren be offered up on pagan altars of personal pleasure and immorality."

The Supreme Court has already redefined marriage. The nation has become a killing field for Islamic radicals. And Christians have become targets for practicing their First Amendment rights.

"There now exists deep-seated antagonism and hostility toward Christianity in every seat of power in this nation—government, media, courts and education," Graham wrote. "It has become open season on Christians."

Instead of ignoring the rotting of America's culture, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has decided to do something about it.

Earlier this month, Graham launched the "Decision America Tour," a series of prayer rallies at the capitol buildings of all 50 states. 

"The only hope for America is not the Democratic Party, and it's not the Republican Party," Graham told me. "The only hope for America is God."

I caught up with Graham just after his inaugural prayer gathering in Des Moines. More than 2,000 people turned out in frigid weather—to petition the Almighty.

It was one of the rare moments in Iowa when politicians were not recognized nor were they allowed to speak.

"If a candidate showed up—we're not going to recognize them," Graham said. "We're not going to give them a microphone."

That's because "Decision America Tour" is not about politics.

"It's trying to lead this nation in prayer, confessing the sins of our country, asking for God's forgiveness and encouraging Christians to get engaged in the political process," he told me.

Graham is doing what many young ministers refuse to do—address issues that some might consider politically incorrect.

He told me that while a number of older pastors understand the gravity of the situation, many younger pastors do not.

"The younger pastors—so many are caught up in the pop culture, and the pastor in a church is more about being cool," he said. "We're beginning to put theology in the back seat, and I'm concerned about the church."

And that's when he dropped this evangelical bombshell.

"To be honest with you, the problems we have in America today are the failure of the church," he said.

I reckon that comment just made a lot of folks start wiggling in the pews.

But Graham has a valid point.

The government has taken on many responsibilities that were once in the hands of the local church.

"The churches have allowed the government to take away their responsibility and so the government is feeding people, the government is clothing people, the government is now in charge of health care," he said.

Graham expounds on this topic during our podcast interview—but the point he is making is clear. It's time for Christians to re-engage the culture.

"We as a nation are in trouble, and only God can fix it," he said.

Todd Starnes is host of "Fox News & Commentary," heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.

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