Christmas Week, 2008 - Washington, DC

The staff of the Religious Freedom Coalition wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

White House Christmas ... BUT ... No Christmas message from Barack Obama / Congress and the Christmas tree / Crimes against Nativity scenes / Iraqi refugee program / Iraqi Christian refugee video / Hope for Hope School in the Holy Land?

THE PRESIDENT

WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY- This final year for the George W. Bush presidency the White House Internet site features a "Red, White and Blue Christmas". Features include red, white and blue ornaments for the White House Christmas tree and the Christmas "Barney Cam." The White House Christmas Holiday site can be viewed here. President George W. Bush's final Christmas message features Luke 2:10-12. Click the ornament image to see all 50 state ornaments.

NO CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BARACK OBAMA - Check for yourself at http://change.gov/ which is the official site of President-elect Barack Obama's transition to power. There is no mention of Christmas, there is no Christmas message and there is certainly no Scripture as of 11:30 AM EST on December 24, 2008.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE

HOUSE AND SENATE ADJOURNED- The House and Senate is adjourned for Christmas ("The Holidays" to Democrats) and will reconvene on January 6, 2009

CONGRESS AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE - ( Reprint from 12/12/08) Following a Christmas tree lighting ceremony that included traditional Christmas carols played by a US Air Force band, Washington based Rev. Rob Schenck thanked Speaker Nancy Pelosi for keeping, "Christmas" at the US Capitol. Speaker Pelosi responded that she had been "mugged" for doing so. When asked again she repeated the comment. The Speaker was admitting that she had paid a political price for allowing the Christmas celebration to go on. The politically correct in her party were clearly unhappy. Read more

RELIGION AND CULTURE

CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTMAS - Nearly thirty acts of vandalism against Nativity scenes and other Christmas displays plus an assault against a pastor have occurred during this Christmas season, not in Iraq, but in the United States, according to the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. Read more. Thefts of figures from Nativities scenes have become common and many of the crimes go unreported. Churches and businesses that display Nativities have begun planting GPS tracking units in the figures to locate them later. Read more.

NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The December 4, 2008 Chairman's Report is now available to read in PDF format. Read more about Rev. George Docherty and "under God" in the Pledge. Also information on Barack Obama's pro-abortion cabinet and Hillary Clinton. New information on Muslim attacks in India and persecuted Christians. Click here to view PDF

INTERNATIONAL

IRAQI REFUGEE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Our outreach to Iraqi Christian refugees in Jordan continues. In December the Religious Freedom Coalition was able to transfer funds to Manara Ministries which operates the food program. The funds advanced will be used to purchase special Christmas time food baskets for Iraqi Christian families in need.

SPECIAL REQUEST: Please ask you Sunday School class to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer as refugees from Islamic terror in the Middle East.

IRAQI CHRISTIAN REFUGEE VIDEO- Thousands of people have viewed the video on the persecution of Iraqi Christians that is streaming from the Religious Freedom Coalition Internet site. Click here to view the 20 minute video prepared by the Chaldean Church. More information is available at www.christianrefugees.blogspot.com

HOPE FOR HOPE SCHOOL? - For more than a decade the Religious Freedom Coalition has stood by Hope School in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem. The small Christian charity school did well under Israel, but has faced serious problems since President Bill Clinton forced the handover of the area to the Palestinian Authority. All sorts of demands have been made on the school including the use of official public school textbooks that have Islamic verses in them. Now the Palestinian Authority is demanding thousands of dollars of "back taxes." This is an outrage in that Islamic schools are charged no taxes at all. This is just one more step to repress Christians in the Bethlehem, Beit Jala area. I have asked the White House to pressure the Palestinian Authority into dropping the demand for the money. Please pray for Hope School, for Headmaster Solomon Noir, and for the teachers and students.

VISIT OUR INTERNET STORE

OUR INTERNET STORE - We have lots of great Christian themed products at our Internet store. Not only are there books and CD's, but everything from candy to jewelry. Unlike Amazon and other major Internet stores we do not sell porn and satanic materials right beside Christian books. Please take a look. The store is located at www.rfcstore.com.
Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.

Week Ending December 12, 2008 - Washington, DC

Bush and Obama fear GM failure / Obama and Gore plan for a "green" America / Congress and the automakers - What is good for some is bad for others / Nancy Pelosi and the Christmas celebration / Richard Cizik is finally fired by NAE / "Kill the Jews just like in 1929" says Jordanian Muslim leader / I appear on Fox and Friends to talk about the war on Christmas

In November, 2008, just days after receiving billions of our tax dollars for a bail-out, American Express canceled credit lines of all their small business customers, making it impossible to buy inventory for Christmas and causing layoffs. At the same time American Express canceled the credit lines of non-profit organizations including the Religious Freedom Coalition. As a result of the actions of American Express, we will no longer accept American Express cards at our Internet site.

THE PRESIDENCY

BUSH AND OBAMA FEAR GM FAILURE - The Bush White House and the Obama transition team are in a near state of panic trying to avert bankruptcy filings by Chrysler and GM before the end of December. Chrysler barely has the funds on hand for the next two payrolls, and suppliers are starting to demand that GM pay cash up front for parts.

I have been on White House conference calls with other social and economic conservative leaders concerning the automakers crisis. While the content of the calls is confidential, I can say that the economic outlook for the nation if there is a GM failure is bleak. Estimates are that a failure will bring down the GDP of the United States by 5% or more next year. President-elect Obama fears inheriting an economy that is in a literal free fall worse than the Great Depression.

OBAMA AND GORE - Barack Obama has already put plenty of pro-abortion people in key places of his staff. Could it get worse? Yes it can. This week Barack Obama met with Al Gore. It is Al Gore who wants to destroy what is left of the American economy by forcing American industry to buy carbon credits costing billions of dollars a year, from nations such as Russia that have vast forests. The two huddled for hours figuring out how to make America "green." Green being defined as broke. Read more

THE CONGRESS

CONGRESS AND THE AUTOMAKERS - This week the House and Senate met for three days to try to hammer out a rescue policy for Chrysler and General Motors. The plan passed the House and then stalled in the Senate when Senator Corker of Tennessee demanded that as part of the deal workers at their plants must agree to accept wages less than those of workers at Toyota plants in the US. In his home state of Tennessee, Volkswagen is slated to receive $577 million from the state to build a new plant there. The German government may now give Volkswagen funds to help the company through the financial meltdown there. Aides to Senator Corker said he sees no conflict in favoring aid for Volkswagen and opposing it for GM. The House and Senate adjourned with no action.

CONGRESS AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE - Following a Christmas tree lighting ceremony that included traditional Christmas carols played by a US Air Force band, Washington based Rev. Rob Schenck thanked Speaker Nancy Pelosi for keeping, "Christmas" at the US Capitol. Speaker Pelosi responded that she had been "mugged" for doing so. When asked again she repeated the comment. The Speaker was admitting that she had paid a political price for allowing the Christmas celebration to go on. The politically correct in her party were clearly unhappy. Read more

CULTURE AND RELIGION

WAR ON CHRISTMAS - I APPEAR ON FOX AND FRIENDS - On Thursday of this week I appeared on Fox and Friends which is the morning show viewed by millions of people on the Fox News Network. The subject was the continuing war on Christmas, this time the removal of Christmas trees from a university library. I made the point that a few people should not have veto power on the views and traditions of others. See video clip here.

CIZIK GONE AT LAST- Richard Cizik has represented the National Association of Evangelicals in Washington, DC for more than a decade. During that time he has sought and found a home with social liberals, radical greens and even those who are pro-abortion. Despite that the NAE, which officially stands against most of his positions, stood behind him as their guy in DC. This week he went too far when he endorsed homosexual marriage on a radio show. Finally he was asked to resign, just about ten years too late. Read more

NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The all new December 4, 2008 Chairman's Report is now available to read in PDF format. Read more about Rev. George Docherty and "under God" in the Pledge. Also information on Barack Obama's pro-abortion cabinet and Hillary Clinton. New information on Muslim attacks in India and persecuted Christians. Click here to view PDF

INTERNATIONAL

KILL THE JEWS LIKE YOU DID IN 1929 - That was the call of a Jordanian cleric to Muslims in Israel. Most believe Jordan to be a "moderate" Islamic state, but that is only because of the iron hand of the king. If left unchecked, the Muslim clerics would be as dangerous as those of Iran. Read excerpts here and see actual video clip.

PERSECUTED IRAQI CHRISTIANS - The situation in Iraq has not improved for Christians and your assistance is still needed. if you need a reminder of the situation please watch the testimony video of those who have lived through the persecution. Please help today.

CHRISTIAN INTERNET SUPER STORE

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM A CHRISTIAN STORE - Order Christmas ornaments with Christian themes and tens of thousands of other Christian themed items at our affiliate store. We stock jewelry from the Holy Land, Bibles and lots of Christian books. It is a great place to shop for birthday gifts as well. NOTE: Amazon sells atheist and satanist books right along with Christian books. We don't. When you buy from our store you help our work. Please take a look at our store today at www.rfcstore.com

Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.

Week Ending November 21, 2008 - Washington, DC

White House against "Fairness Doctrine" / Alveda King says Barack Obama's heart needs to change / GOP Whip Roy Blunt steps down / Lame Duck Congress to return / Atheists file their Christmas season lawsuits / Bounty to kill Christians in India / Nativity scene cookie cutters?
Read More Below

THE PRESIDENCY

WHITE HOUSE SAYS NO TO "FAIRNESS DOCTRINE" - Meredith Attwell Baker, the top telecommunications policy advisor to President George W. Bush, warned against the return of the Fairness Doctrine in a speech Thursday, saying it would be a "u-turn" on the road to a more diverse media marketplace. Read more

The Fairness Doctrine would force Christian radio stations to air atheist and Muslim programing. Will it happen? That is up to Barack Obama. Read more

MESSAGE TO OBAMA FROM NEICE OF MLK - Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life today said: "President-elect Obama has become synonymous with 'change,' yet the most positive new direction he could seek would be to find room in his heart for the unborn." And, said Dr. King, "He has promised to take actions that will only increase the number of babies killed by abortion. He has stolen the hope that millions of babies might have their very existences recognized, much less protected. If Mr. Obama wants to bring change that we can believe in, he needs to begin by changing his view that not all Americans have a right to exist."

THE CONGRESS

THERE ARE NEW HOUSE REPUBLICANS - On Thursday evening I met with several of the "freshman class" of House Republicans. Earlier in the day the group elected Rep.-elect Steve Austria of Ohio to be president of their class in the 111th Congress. Of those present at the meeting Thursday evening, the political action committee I am chairman of had helped to elect three. GING-PAC assisted in the elections of congressmen-elect Duncan Hunter Jr. of California, Pete Olson of Texas and Tom Rooney of Florida. (Photo of myself with Duncan Hunter Jr.)

ROY BLUNT STEPS DOWN --For eight years Congressman Roy Blunt has served as Majority Whip in the House and for the last two years in the more difficult position as Minority Whip. During that time he has been an advocate of social conservative causes and has met almost weekly with conservative activists including me. This week I and other conservative leaders met with Congressman Blunt before he stepped down from the leadership position. He is replaced by his former deputy whip, Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia. Congressman Cantor is also a champion of social conservative values.

LAME DUCKS TO RETURN - This week was to be the last for the 110th Congress, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that she will call a special session in December to revisit loans to the automotive industry. NOTE: Mitt Romney may believe that Chinese and Indian car companies can replace GM and Ford, but the millions of Americans associated with the auto industry don't. Republicans blocking the loans at the request of radical pro-China free-market traders such as Mitt Romney will kill any chance of future Republican gains in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois where the bulk of American owned auto parts makers live. By stopping these loans to automakers the GOP told the Reagan Democrats to pack up and go home to Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.

CULTURE AND RELIGION

THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR ATHEISTS - Atheists know that the media loves to report on their anti-Christian activities during the Christmas holiday. So the Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter over a state-sanctioned "Day of Prayer" proclamation. All 50 U.S. governors issued National Day of Prayer Proclamations in 2008. Read more

NATIVITY SCENE COOKIE CUTTERS - Yes, our Christian Internet store is a lot more than just books and DVD's. We have lots of great Christian themed gifts for Christmas including ornaments and even cookie cutters with Nativity scene characters. Visit our Internet Store today for Christmas gifts you will not find elsewhere. www.rfcstore.com

NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The all new November 12, 2008 Chairman's Report is now available to read in PDF format. Read about the good news from the election and how social conservatives may fare the next four years. Persecution of Christians continues in Mosul, Iraq Click here to view new issue.

INTERNATIONAL

REWARD TO KILL CHRISTIANS IN INDIA - Hindu groups are offering money, food and alcohol to mobs to kill Christians and destroy their homes. Christian aid workers in the state of Orissa have reported the crimes to the news media. The going rate to kill a pastor is $150. Read more

CHRISTIAN INTERNET SUPER STORE

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM A CHRISTIAN STORE - Order Christmas ornaments with Christian themes and tens of thousands of other Christian themed items at our affiliate store. We stock jewelry from the Holy Land, Bibles and lots of Christian books. It is a great place to shop for birthday gifts as well. NOTE: Amazon sells atheist and satanist books right along with Christian books. We don't. When you buy from our store you help our work. Please take a look at our store today at www.rfcstore.com

Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.