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There is evidence of a disturbing trend that seeks to criminalize Christianity in America today. To our dismay, our culture, government, media, entertainment industry, and educational establishments are seeking to censor the freedom of speech and freedom of religion of Biblical Christians. Left unchallenged, this dangerous development will erode America’s experiment with liberty and lead to increased hostility towards followers of Jesus Christ.

This “Hate Crimes" Packet expresses our grave concerns over this serious matter. It does not serve the best interest of our nation to make Christianity an enemy of the state. If our nation follows this path, a path tried by every dictator and oppressor throughout mankind’s bloody history, only chaos, confusion, and tyranny will result.

Included in this packet is a tract entitled, “It Can’t Happen Here?” The article demonstrates that persecution against the Church of Jesus Christ has already begun in the land of the free and the home of the brave. America and her institutions, especially the Supreme Court, have for years sought to remove the knowledge of God from the public life of our nation, smear Christians as a “hate group,” and to minimize Christians’ freedom of speech and freedom of religion in America’s public discourse. Christians have, in affect, become second-class citizens in our beloved country. This madness must end if America is to sustain her heritage of liberty.

When one studies history, it is hard to ignore the process that targets people for persecution. For instance, how did Hitler convince Germany to cooperate with his “Final Solution” against the Jews? He managed it by marginalization by passing laws to deny them freedoms, by using the media to dehumanize them, and then by setting them up to become the scapegoat of Germany’s self-loathing, hatred, and failure as a nation. As Christians, we are deeply concerned America is on her way to repeating this same tyrannical course.

For years, radical left-wing groups have introduced and sought to establish “Hate Crimes” legislation to promote the homosexual agenda. Just recently, one of them passed the House, HR 1592. A similar bill is currently being considered in the Senate. The legislation is not about guaranteeing homosexuals and cross-dressers public access to food, shelter, or employment, things already protected by law. These bills are intended to prevent Bible-believing people and pastors from preaching the Word of God. The intention is to censor freedom of speech and freedom of religion of American Christians. It is about threatening the Church. If Christians pronounce what the Scriptures teach concerning the sin and crime of homosexuality as well as the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ our Lord, they could find themselves in jail.

The following is part of the debate that ensued in Congress over HR 1592. “Congressman Gohmert asked, ‘If a minister was giving a sermon, a Bible study or any kind of written or spoken message saying that homosexuality was a serious sin and a person in the congregation went out and committed a crime against a homosexual would the minister be charged with the crime of incitement?’ Gohmert was attempting to clarify and emphasize that the legislation would have an effect on the constitutional right to religious freedom and thus the Pence amendment was needed to protect religious speech. The Democrats refused to accept the amendment. Lundgren pressed them on his question, ‘What is your answer? Would there be incitement charges against the pastor?’ Finally, Democrat Congressman Arthur Davis from Alabama spoke up and said, ‘Yes.’”

On Thursday, May 24, 2007, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), which operates 14 publicly-owned universities, manages approximately 300 police officers, and oversees over 100,000 students, hosted a mandatory class entitled "Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills for Law Enforcement" at its central headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The class is part of a police training series under the direction of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, which is provided at different times to PASSHE police officers.

During this class, Timothy Johnson, Sr. Conciliation Specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, falsely characterized "Repent America" as a Christian "fundamentalist hate group" and had law enforcement officials participate in a role-playing activity to illustrate this point. Johnson directed a number of police officers to stage a campus dramatization before the class between a mock Repent America evangelism team and a group of upset homosexuals. While these officers were role-playing the two groups, another officer was instructed to “mediate the conflict” by removing the Christians, instead of affirming their constitutional rights to be on a public campus. The removal instruction was because the homosexuals were hurt and offended by the Biblical message of repentance and call to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same dramatization occurred on at least one other occasion before a previous training class.

As a result of this type of “training,” Michael Marcavage, director of Repent America, reported to his lawyers a recent dispute with Captain William Fisher of the Philadelphia Police Department‘s Civil Affairs Unit. He writes, “I dropped a DVD off at your office today, which contains the video footage of what happened yesterday (June, 10th, 2007) at the Philly Pride (Homosexual) Parade and Festival. We did not have much issue at the parade, however, Captain Fisher prohibited us from being near the area where people were standing in line to enter the festival, even though I put down my sign and even offered not to distribute literature, but just talk with others in line and near the entrance area. He pointed to my Repent America t-shirt and stated that this would be a problem, and I offered to change my shirt, but he still had issue because he stated that I am well-known, and therefore, not permitted to have equal access to the public streets and sidewalks at this event.

Captain Fisher was acting extremely irrational this day, and became aggressively physical by pushing and shoving me around when I attempted to walk down the public street. Although there were at least 50 police officers in the area, Fisher stated that he could not protect my "safety" any closer and refused to allow me and the others in our group to move freely, citing that the DOJ and Secret Service trained him to keep "dissident" groups away. Furthermore, he stated that as long as he kept us in "sight and sound" of the event, his actions were permissible. I explained to him that this is not the law, and that I should be treated equally to the others gathered in the area.

During the time at this location, he continually interfered with our efforts, even interrupting our discussions with people. After you watch the video footage, I am sure you will agree that Captain Fisher’s callous actions are completely out of line and illegal. I would like to obtain an injunction as quickly as possible concerning this matter. I am tired of dealing with Captain Fisher's antics, which, as you know, have, and will continue to, greatly hinder our outreaches and ability to share the Word of God and the Gospel message with the public. Please let me know if you are able to help with obtaining an injunction. Thank you.”

Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, Michael Marcavage

Side Note: Repent America was the first group targeted with a “Hate Crime.” In January of 2005, leading Internet news site WorldNetDaily reported that a "[U.S.] Justice Department employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity," stated that members of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in October of 2004 "attended a large homosexual event in Philadelphia" and "advised police on the scene" during the arrest of eleven Christians with Repent America. These Christians, who became known as the "Philadelphia Eleven", were charged under Pennsylvania's "hate crimes" law, and faced up to 47 years in prison and $90,000 in fines each for their ministry efforts at the event. The charges were later dismissed as being without merit.

MASSACHUSETTS LAWMAKERS STEAL VOTE FROM CONSTITUENTS ON “SAME-SEX MARRIAGE”

Another unfortunate sign our system of government is being broken by the sodomite agenda is the recent legislative debacle in Massachusetts. First, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court circumvented the constitutional process. They arbitrarily imposed “same-sex marriage” on the citizens of Massachusetts through a deplorable act of judicial activism. Next, the members of the liberal Massachusetts state legislature surrendered to the demands of the radical homosexual lobby and the arm-twisting of Governor Deval Patrick (D). Together, they betrayed the citizens of Massachusetts and circumvented the democratic process by prohibiting them from voting on this crucial issue.

CULTURE

Today, there are more books from American authors warning our nation against the dangers of Christianity, than there are warnings against radical Islam.

General Pace, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, mentioned in an interview that “homosexuality is immoral” and “does not serve the best interests of our nation.” Immediately, the “powers that be” bore tooth and claw to suppress his free speech. Recently, he was set down by the Bush administration. One can only surmise that he was dismissed over these statements.

Clearly, this censorship sends a distinct message that the Christian worldview will not be tolerated in public discourse. Thus it appears that if you desire an influential job, a greater position, or hope for advancement in America, you must sell your soul to the devil, deny the Christian faith, and dare not introduce moral absolutes that may offend America’s immoral sensibilities.

On The View, lesbian, actress activist, Rosie O’Donnell, declared, “Christian Fundamentalists are just as dangerous as Islamic Fundamentalists.”

TV sitcoms and Hollywood movies continually spew out their hatred against God and the Christian faith. When confronted, they claim artistic freedom. Why doesn’t their artistic freedom extend to other religions and philosophical groups? What makes the Christian faith, the only acceptable faith that can be publicly maligned, mocked, and censored in the land where tolerance is the new idol before which America bows?

Because of these and other incidences, many Christians in our culture dare not mention their heartfelt convictions concerning the burning moral issues of the day, lest they jeopardize their employment status, education, influence in government, or worse. It seems with each passing day in our cultural discourse, every opinion is tolerated, no matter how perverse, unless it is voiced by a Christian.

EDUCATION

Recently, a New Jersey School held a mock drill and staged a “hostage situation.” Care to guess who the enemy was? Care to know the fanatical terrorists that attacked their school? If you guessed Muslims, you would not only be politically incorrect, you would be factually incorrect as well. No! The psychos were portrayed as, you guessed it, Christians.

World Net Daily posts article after article demonstrating how evil is being codified into law and our culture is unraveling before our very eyes. One headline reads, “District gags 14-year-olds after 'gay' indoctrination 'Confidentiality' promise requires students 'not to tell their parents.'” In essence, the Deerfield High School coached the children to lie to their parents in order to avoid parents being upset by the school’s homosexual indoctrination.

In another article, WND reported, “In Massachusetts after a school repeatedly advocated for the homosexual lifestyle to students in elementary grades, several parents sued, only to have the federal judge order the ‘gay’ agenda taught to everyone, especially, Christians. The conclusion from U.S. District Judge, Mark L. Wolf, found that it is reasonable; indeed there is an obligation, for public schools to teach young children to accept and endorse homosexuality. Wolf essentially adopted the reasoning in a brief submitted by a number of homosexual-advocacy groups, who said "the rights of religious freedom and parental control over the upbringing of children … would undermine teaching and learning…"

You read this right. According to Judge Wolf, homosexuals know better than parents how and what is best to teach their children. And just to add insult to injury, Christians, in particular, must submit their children to this indoctrination with no opportunity to opt out. Dare anyone say tyranny?

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

Another case in point is the Southern Poverty Law Center, headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. Their stated goal is to monitor hate groups and extremist activity in the United States. In times past, they have been champions against racial discrimination. In recent days, however, their focus has dramatically changed. No longer do they seek to just prosecute the KKK. No! Their new enemy to prosecute is fundamental Christians. They send out reports to our civil government listing Christian groups who are actively engaged in our culture and label them as the new “hate groups” that promote “extremist activities.”

OAKLAND, CA.

There are many examples of homosexual fascism spreading from the great state of California. For the sake of brevity, this one incident should suffice. A Christian organization finds itself headed for the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge a lower court decision that found municipal employers could censor words such as "marriage, family values," labeling such words as hate speech that could scare workers.

This lawsuit developed when two women chose to create the "Good News Employee Association" in response to Bible-bashing by ranking Oakland city officials and the free reign given to radical left-wing groups over the city's e-mail and bulletin board.

This devastating ruling has produced the practical effect of silencing thousands of city of Oakland employees who simply wish to talk about marriage and family values. The mere publication of the Good News Employee Association's words was met with a direct threat of termination from employment.

Meanwhile Oakland's gay-straight employee alliance is openly allowed to attack the Bible in widespread city e-mails and to deride Christian values and Bible-believing Christians as hateful.

GENDER POLITICS: SEEING HATE WHERE THERE IS NONE

As America celebrates, protects, and honors homosexuality and punishes Christianity, will mentally unstable homosexuals falsely accuse people of “Hate Crimes?”

• A Tamalpais High School student claimed she was pelted with eggs, had her locker and car vandalized, and has been flooded with handmade hate messages. The words "Die Fag" were spray painted on her school's wall. The school's students, teachers, and administrators responded with an anti-hate vigil. Later the lesbian "victim" admitted to police that she faked the incidents to garner attention.

• Alex McGillis, a homosexual Boise State University (BSU) student told police in January an unidentified man beat him from behind with an object while shouting anti-"gay" epithets. Student and administration organizations organized a ‘No Oppression Tolerated, Not on Our Campus’ rally. He later confessed that his "hate crime" was a hoax and that he had used a stick and his own fists to injure himself.

• In introducing the hate crimes legislation Rep. John Conyer’s (D-Mich.) cited the death of 72-year-old homosexual Andrew Anthos in Detroit. Homosexual activists asserted that an unidentified African-American man called Anthos a "faggot" and struck him in the back of the head with a metal pipe, ultimately killing him. Investigators later determined that Anthos’ death was the result of an accidental fall brought on by severe arthritis in his neck. Anthos had also been diagnosed with mental illness and originally told police that he did not know how he was injured. He changed his story a week later to suggest that he was the victim of a "hate crime".

• At the University of Georgia in 1998, the door of resident advisor Jerry Kennedy was set on fire three times. Of the 15 hate crimes reported since 1995 at the school, Kennedy had reported 9, including the three fires, threatening phone calls and incidents of criminal trespassing. After a police investigation, Kennedy was arrested and charged with two counts of arson and four false reports of a crime, and a student who had been suspected of setting one of the fires was exonerated.

The tragic death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 is often cited as the reason for extending "hate crimes" protection to sexual minorities. He was a homosexual at the University of Wyoming who was savagely beaten and left to die by two thugs. However, his killers insist that they held no particular prejudice toward gays; rather they were high on methamphetamine and their aim was robbery.

Side Note: This last example of Matthew Shepard now serves as the basis for the current “Hate Crimes” legislation. Like Roe vs. Wade prior, so-called “secular progressives” lie to make the unspeakable become mainstream in America.

More incidences could be cited, but for our purposes this should suffice. We pray that those who view this packet will open their eyes and discern this growing, disturbing trend. Beyond this, we pray many in our government and in the private sector of our nation will be moved to end this potential tyranny that is seeking to target American Christians for persecution.

Civil government is due our taxes, prayers, tribute, and submission to lawful authority. They are not due our faith, consciences, or thoughts. They have no divine rights to determine our beliefs, regulate our faith, nor punish our thoughts. This is where every liberty-loving Christians should stand, America should do no less!!!

HISTORICAL QUOTES

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato

"The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis." - Edmond Burke

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” - Edmond Burke

"Men must be governed by God, or they will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God." - Thomas Jefferson

IN KING JESUS’ SERVICE,

Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas
Elijah Ministries
P.O. Box 3126
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 715-3134
E-mail: elijahmin@ifriendly.com
Website: www.elijahmin.com

Elijah Ministries

Luke 1:17 “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

PRESS RELEASE
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 17:15).”

On Wednesday, July 11th, 2007, representatives from Repent America (The Philadelphia 11), Elijah Ministries, BOND, Operation Save America, Minutemen United, Pass the Salt Ministries, America Asleep Know More, and life and Liberty Ministries will conduct a press conference regarding Senate Bill S 1105 (the “Hate Crimes” legislation) at 10:00 AM. The press conference will be held at our nation’s Capitol building, E Capitol St NE & 1st St NE Washington, DC 20001.

This press conference will address the growing, disturbing trend that seeks to criminalize Christianity in America. As it is, the freedom of speech and freedom of religion of Bible-believing Christians stands in serious jeopardy today. Left unchallenged, this dangerous development will erode America’s experiment in liberty and lead to increased hostility towards followers of Christ.

"American values are under attack by al-Qaeda and radical Islamists. Instead of combating this issue, it seems some within our government are more interested in criminalizing American citizens. The so-called ‘Hate Crimes’ bill is an attempt to take away the rights of Christians to speak out and express their freedom of speech. This is unjust and Americans deserve better than this from their elected officials." --Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND.

The Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, Founder and Director of Elijah Ministries states, “It was Thomas Jefferson who penned these important words, ‘The legislative powers of government reach to actions only, not to opinions.’ Civil government is due our prayers, taxes, tribute, and submission to lawful authority. They are not due, however, our faith, consciences, or thoughts. No government official has the authority to determine our beliefs, regulate our faith, or punish our thoughts. This is where every liberty-loving Christian should stand, America should do no less!!!”

"Those who hate God are working to criminalize those who love Him, and they are making great strides to see that it happens. We must not remain silent as our liberty to freely speak the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being threatened by those who are framing mischief by a law," states Repent America director Michael Marcavage.

“For years now,” states Flip Benham, National Director of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America, “Christians who live out their faith in the streets of America have been maligned by the devil, marginalized by the media, and criminalized by our own government. As gentle Christians have allowed the theology of the church house to become biography in the streets they have met resistance at every turn.

The decriminalization of child-killing (abortion) has brought about the criminalization of those who would oppose it. The decriminalization of homosexuality has brought about the criminalization of those who would oppose it. Now we have the "Hate Crimes Prevention Act," HR 1592, which expressly forbids any language that might be perceived as "hate" by the homosexual community. This makes illegal every word in the Bible, which describes the destruction wrought by this vile behavior.

If we do not act decisively at this time, HR 1592 will indeed become the law of the land. It will prepare the way for the total censorship of the Gospel of Christ. Our children will have to pay a horrible price to make up for our cowardice at this juncture of our nation's history.”

We invite all concerned citizens to attend the press conference and subsequent public rally at Capitol Hill.

For more information and interviews contact:

Michael Marcavage, Repent America 1-800-3 Repent, ext. 5
Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, Elijah Ministries (254) 715-3134
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, BOND (323) 556-2623 or (323) 782-1980
Rev. Flip Benham, Operation Save America (980) 722-4920

New Website Address: www.elijahmin.com