Category: Subject Index

(Modesty, Dancing & Behavior)

Dress

When I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving, as a high school assignment, I was struck by a short passage which I have remembered since as the “ankle passage.” At the time, I was struck with how times had changed, regarding the morals of the day. Recently, I read the short story again, and came across the passage. It is a description of a young woman, (a bit of a flirt), who was the object of Ichabod Crane’s attention. Here is an excerpt: Continue reading “A Little of a Coquette” →

Homosexual Promiscuity. Studies indicate that the average male homosexual has hundreds of sex partners in his lifetime, a lifestyle that–is difficult for even “committed” homosexuals to break free of and which is not conducive to a healthy and wholesome atmosphere for the raising of children.

A. P. Bell and M. S. Weinberg, in their classic study of male and female homosexuality, found that 43 percent of white male homosexuals had sex with five hundred or more partners, with 28 percent having 1,000 or more sex partners.(A. P. Bell and M. S. Weinberg, Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), pp. 308, 309; See also A. P. Bell, M. S. Weinberg, and S. K. Hammersmith, Sexual Preference (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981).

In their study of the sexual profiles of 2,583 older homosexuals published in Journal of Sex Research, Paul Van de Ven et al. found that “the modal range for number of sexual partners ever [of homosexuals] was 101-500.” In addition, 10.2 percent to 15.7 percent had between 501 and 1000 partners. A further 10.2 percent to 15.7 percent reported having had more than 1000 lifetime sexual partners.(Paul Van de Ven et al., “A Comparative Demographic and Sexual Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men,” Journal of Sex Research 34 (1997): 354.)

Timothy J. Dailey, Ph.D.
via Family Research Council

Analysis:

As a part of the current efforts to legalize Gay and Lesbian marriages, homosexual advocates have sought to portray such relationships as “normal.” The reason for this is obvious. If such relationships are characterized as similar to heterosexual marriages, the obvious concerns that most Americans have regarding the welfare of children and the moral fiber of our society will be assuaged.

Continue reading “Harmful Effects of Homosexuality” →

A teacher was trying to teach his twelve male students the importance of respecting women. To illustrate his point, he brought 13 roses to class, took one out of the bunch and gave it to the boys to handle each in turn. He asked them to touch it and feel the softness, and admire the beauty of the rose. After all had handled the flower, he returned it to the bunch, and told the boys they each could have one flower. Each in turn came forward, and took a single rose. They each took a rose which had not been handled. No one wanted the rose all had touched, handled, and admired. It had been soiled, and was no longer the pristine, beautiful blossom it had been. The lesson was obvious, and forceful. Continue reading “Young Ladies, Keep Yourself Pure” →

(Matthew 12)

In this article I intend to explain, in its context, Jesus’ defense of his disciples in Matthew 12. The Pharisees had accused them of unlawful activity on the Sabbath. This is a difficult passage, and in misusing it, some are led to dangerous conclusions regarding what God allows in our response to His laws. I trust you will open your Bible, and read the entire passage, and the immediate context, in conjuction with this writer’s explanation of the text. Continue reading “Did Jesus Authorize Situation Ethics?” →

In response to a comment about a 2 year old who hits others, and runs into the street, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, in his nationally syndicated column, disagreed with a grandmother who asserted that the child should be spanked as a means of discipline. Brazelton comes from the “Dr. Spock” school of discipline, and consistently discourages any form of corporal punishment. Here, in part, is what he wrote in response:

“Hitting and pushing are common behaviors at this age. It’s a young child’s way of reaching out to another before he has more language and social skills. Of course a child must be stopped and clearly told that this is not acceptable.

“Spanking will not teach him these skills. Instead, it’s likely to make him angry, and he may start hitting others out of anger.

“Of course spanking will get a child to stop what he’s doing – because it hurts. But pain used to stop a behavior does not teach a child. Instead, it confuses him.

“If time-outs don’t work-and they often don’t at this age-sit down with him to hold him, to keep him safe.

“You may also need to discipline with consequences: “I can’t let you go outside until you can learn to stop running in the street.”

Column appeared in the July 6, 2004 Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Analysis:

Brazelton’s assertions can be shown to be false through simple observation. Though anecdotal, our own experiences, as we were raised by our parents, show that spanking is an effective form of discipline.

Continue reading “Spanking Children” →

(A Secular Approach to the Problems of the Lottery)

The following article originally appeared in Christianity Today, July 10, 1987. The article was written by a man by the name of Charles Colson. It addresses the problems with the Illinois lottery from a secular point of view. I thought this article would be a good addition to the other two at this site examining the sinful nature of the lottery. If you have read the other two articles, you know that participating in the lottery is sin, no disputing it, it is fact. Now, read on, and see some reasons why the lottery is dangerous both to your pocketbook, and your soul…

Continue reading “The Myth of the Money Tree” →

Author’s Note: I wrote this article around the time that the lottery was established in Texas. The article serves to show the ridiculous nature of such an activity.

The signs are popping up all over town, and presumably, all over the state. TEXAS LOTTERY…Play the Texas Lottery Here! It’s quite a phenomenon. I was in a 7-11 just a few days ago, waiting in a much longer line than usual, to purchase a few groceries. The reason for the long line was the lottery. Almost to a man, the people in front of me bought 1,2,5,6 lottery tickets, all hoping for the possible lucky ticket. It struck me at the time that the behavior of the people could be summed up in one word…GREED! Or to use a biblical term, COVETOUSNESS! Continue reading “Sobering Thoughts About the Lottery” →

The state of Texas is one of many states that run a lottery. This rapidly growing phenomenon brings to the forefront questions concerning the morality of gambling. Is gambling a sin? This article will attempt to answer honestly that question by an appeal to scripture.

A quick point as we begin. The amount you gamble is irrelevant. The principles we are about to address show gambling to be wrong. On principle. With no regard to amount. Just gambling a little can no more be justified than telling a “little white lie” or saying a cuss word “only every once in a while”. If it is wrong, IT IS WRONG! Continue reading “Is It A Sin to Play the Lottery?” →

A California man who killed another man in a gunfight is looking to repent of his evil deed and be baptized. There’s only one problem – the local jail housing him is denying his request…

“I would like to do it before I go to prison,” Ramzee Johnson told the Bakersfield Californian, saying he’s getting daily death threats from gang members associated with his victim. “I might not make it to prison.”

Johnson has been studying the Bible recently with David Garner, a minister at the Oildale Church of Christ who thinks the Lerdo Jail’s refusal to allow the baptism is denying Johnson the ability to be saved.

Continue reading “Ramzee Johnson Seeks Baptism” →

Doctors are studying a 5-year-old German boy whose upper arms and legs are almost twice the size of his peers to learn what happens when the body does not produce a protein that limits muscular development.

The boy, whose mother is a professional athlete in Germany, is far stronger than other boys his age and lacks the protein, known as myostatin, doctors reported in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine.

He appears healthy now, but researchers are concerned the child may eventually develop abnormalities in the heart, which is a muscle.

The discovery could help doctors find a chemical to increase muscle mass as a treatment for several medical problems, such as muscular dystrophy, or the muscle deterioration seen in the elderly and among people in the advanced stages of cancer…

Reuters, June 24, 2004

(Note: Picture is of the child at the age of 7 months)

Analysis:

The interesting discovery of a “superboy”, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, has captured the imaginations of health researchers and athletes alike. Researchers believe that the mutation in the five year old may give them information which will help in the treatment of disease. Athletes hope that the finding may open the door for larger muscles and greater strength.

Some may believe that the mutation gives credence to the theory of evolution, which claims such mutations as the mechanism through which general evolution occurs. Actually, the discovery helps to show the inadequacy of such a claim.

First, you will note that the child is still human. In fact, the doctor who is in charge of the study emphasized that the boy is “just a normal kid” who just happens to be stronger than his peers. Second, no genetic material has been added, which would be necessary to account for general evolutionary theory. Scientists believe that the child obtained myostatin genes that were “turned off” from both the mother and the father. This has been documented on the mother’s side by genetic testing. Third, doctors fear that the mutation is not actually beneficial. (The vast majority of mutations are destructive, which would lead to devolution rather than evolution). Doctors fear that the child may develop heart disease in the future. No, the German “superboy” is not a product of evolutionary processes, he is just a normal, strong kid.

Immediately following the Dallas Cowboys victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game in December 1995, Michael Irvin, one of the Cowboy’s stars, was interviewed live on the national broadcast. While profanity is common these days on television, one of the words Irvin said caused quite a furor in that it is still considered unacceptable for use on TV.

The same scenario had taken place with a Pittsburgh Steeler’s player a few hours before. Continue reading “The Pervasiveness of Profanity” →

The second in Peter’s list of attributes to be added to our faith, (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-11), is “knowledge.”

The English term knowledge is derived from the Greek (gnosis). It is defined by Vine as “primarily a seeking to know, an enquiry, investigation. Denotes, in the N.T., knowledge, especially of spiritual truth. (Vol. 2, page 301).

Continue reading “Knowledge” →

Tue Jun 15, 8:10 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Sitcoms are running out of laughs, cop dramas are a dime a dozen and reality shows are all starting to look alike. Now U.S. television networks are turning to a higher power in their quest for loftier ratings.

Inspired by the runaway success of religion-themed novels like the “Left Behind” series and Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” broadcasters are devoting more of their prime-time schedules to shows dealing with God, faith and the afterlife.

excerpted from article by Steve Gorman

Analysis:

At first glance, the notice that Hollywood is looking to air shows which deal with spiritual themes would seem to be cause for rejoicing. First glances can, however, be deceiving.

Continue reading “TV Networks Seek Ratings In Higher Power” →

Author’s Note: Yes, I am a fan. Therefore it is not surprising that events such as the Superbowl might be the inspiration for some the articles I write. However, I am very aware of the excesses of society as well. As such, I hope this article, written in January of 1994, will cause you to think about our misplaced priorities.

Just in case you have had your head in the sand for the past two weeks, I wanted to let you know that the Dallas Cowboys are playing in Super Bowl XXVII today at precisely 5:18 pm. It used to be, a long, long time ago, that the game was played during the afternoon. However, someone got the idea that viewership would increase if the game were to be played in “prime time”. That was certainly the case, and since then all Super Bowls have been played at 6:00 or after, Eastern Standard Time. Continue reading “The Superbowl, Our Misplaced Priorities” →

Author’s note: Sometimes my thoughts are inspired by current events. This makes it necessary to explain the context of the remarks when reprinting the article. This article was written following the first of three recent Dallas Cowboy victories in the Superbowl (January, 1993). I believe the message to be even more timely now.

Last week the city of Dallas had a parade and pep rally to celebrate the Super Bowl victory our Cowboys had two weeks ago. I watched the parade on television, and as soon as it was over I turned the television off. You have to understand that I am a big fan, and so when I turned off the television, I was in a very good mood. It was fun to see the fans and the players having such a good time.

Of course, you know what happened after the rally broke up. (A riot ensued). Continue reading “The Superbowl, and the Answer to Society’s Problems” →