| Vol. VI Number 27 | July 21, 2002 |
Since September 11, 2001 the United States has been waging a war on terrorism. This war includes a protracted conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and a new Home Land Security Department. Thinking about these developments I wonder how much are Americans willing to pay for security. Are you willing to give up your freedom of speech for security? Are you willing to give up the freedom of the press in the name of security? What is going to be the final cost of obtaining security? Finally, will you really be any more secure after giving up your rights? I think it is time to evaluate the Constitution of the United States concerning the Bill of Rights.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
These ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States are what has made America what it is. These specified freedoms are the basis of what has made America great. Now, in the name of security are we willing to throw away the very thing that has made the United States so great. Or are we willing to fight to protect our freedom. There are many who view the Bill of Rights a hindrance to getting the job done. It is the Bill of Rights that prevents the Police from beating a confession out of you. It is the Bill of Rights that allow me to publish a new sermon every week. It is the Bill of Rights that enable you to choose what church you want to go to. If you want to be a Muslim in the United States, that is your right, for you have the right of choosing what religion you believe. You have the right to speak out against the Government. Are you will willing to give this up in the name of security? You have the ability to encrypt messages with gpg or pgp (Pretty Good Privacy) and send them as e-mail over the Internet. Though many do not even know how to use these tools, are you willing to give up this freedom in the name of security?
Look at all of the laws that are on the books concerning guns. Have any of these increased your security? In the states that have the most laws concerning hand guns, there seems to be the highest level of crimes with hand guns. Thus the laws that take away your freedom seem to have the effect of decreasing your security.
As members of the Christian community we need to be concerned about the erroding away of our rights guarenteed by the Constitution. We need to be vigilant because there are many who consider the Born Again Christian community to be subversive. There are many who would like to silance the Christian who preaches repentance and forgiveness of sins. Though publically the Christian community is not singled out like the Muslim community, but you can be certain that you will be next in line. There are some members of Congress who are sounding the alarm that they are moving too fast in the creation of the Homeland Security Department. Homeland Security Plan Not a Done Deal Yet
The United States is currently under a nuclear, biological, and physical attack by those who would like to see our nation and its freedoms destroyed. If we hinder our freedoms in the name of security, then the enemy has won. The Bible tells us that in the last days perilous times will come.
2 Timothy 3:1-7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
We are living in the day described by the Apostle Paul. Look at the ones who are in charge of corporations who have lied to us and have enriched their pockets through their greed. These are the ones who are the real traitors to America. The Christian who points out the ills of American society is not the traitor, but the one who uses his or her position to enrich their pockets are the enemy. The ones who preach righteousness are the ones that some in the government would like to silence. If you accept the reduction to your freedom of speech, then you have allowed the powers of the wicked to dictate your life. Your freedom is precious, just as your salvation is precious. Is our freedom to preach the Gospel going to diminish under the guise of security? The Bible tells us that it is.
Matthew 24:1-14
1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
With the war on terrorism and the homeland security we are rushing to the conditions established in the Bible where the Christian will be hated and condemned. The times are getting tough, but he who holds fast to the end and endures all temptations will be delivered.
3014 E Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Church Office Phone: (215) 634-3637
Published by: Rev. LeRoy D. Cressy (215) 535-4037
Services:
| Sunday School | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 11:30 AM |
| Sunday Morning Worship | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 12 NOON |
| Sunday Evening | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday Evening | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 7:30 PM |
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