CCD Salt and Light

Student files suit to defend his right to bring Bible to school.

2011-04-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

A former student at Gateway East High School of the Grossmont Union High School District has filed suit against GUHSD, saying he was disciplined and suspended for sharing his faith with fellow students and for bringing his Bible to school. The student is represented by Pacific Justice Institute.

The conflict for Kenneth Dominguez began when he returned from Christmas break in January 2010 and began telling his fellow students about his Christian faith. On several occasions he was reprimanded for doing so and eventually he was told not to bring his Bible to school. An administrator told him that he could not share his Christian faith with fellow students or bring his Bible to school because of separation of church and state. When he continued to discuss his faith and bring his Bible to school he was given a 2 day suspension on February 18, 2010.

The school gave him a form known as a “Corrective Education Referral Form,” which had the following notations:
• “Student was told to stop preaching at school. Student continued after being warned several times.”
• “Student will not bring Bible to school.”

Attorney Michael J. Peffer, who heads the Southern California office of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “No student should be forced to leave his faith and Bible at the gate when he enters school grounds. We are looking forward to this opportunity to vindicate Mr. Dominguez and protect students throughout California.”

Defend the Defense of Marriage Act

2011-04-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Stand Up for Marriage: Sign the Petition!

President Obama and his Justice Department would have us believe that traditional marriage laws are unconstitutional. I oppose the Justice Department's political decision to reverse its policy of defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal statute passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton. The duty of the Justice Department is to enforce and defend laws passed by Congress and signed by the President. The President and his Justice Department have abdicated his responsibility to ensure that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed.

Therefore, I support the U.S. House of Representatives' decision to protect marriage by funding its own effort to thwart legal challenges being waged against DOMA.

2010-11-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Gay Marriage to Resume in California

2010-08-12T15:43:00.001-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704407804575425183294416628.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories

Proposition 8 Ruling Today

2010-08-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/08/04/proposition-8-ruling-to-come-wednesday-afternoon/

Public Can Weigh in on Marriage Debate in California

2010-01-06T09:52:00.001-08:00

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000011772.cfm

President Appoints 'Transgendered' Individual to Federal Post

2010-01-06T09:50:00.001-08:00

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000011771.cfm

Birth Mom Transfer Custody of Daughter to Former Lesbian Partner

2009-12-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=832284

Governor Signs Harvey Milk & Same Sex Marriage Bills

2009-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

It was the 11th hour and Govenor Schwarzenegger singed both SB54 and SB 572 into law.
Read the press release below from California Family Council

http://www.californiafamilycouncil.org/ResponseToGovernor%27sDecisions

November LA. County Election Recommendations

2009-10-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Did you know that L.A. County is having an election this November 3rd?
Get all the candidates who are running and the measures that are being proposed by clicking the link below. This link will also give you a recommendation based on a Christian Worldview.

http://www.electionforum.org

Hate Crimes & Hate Speech Bill

2009-06-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Right now Congress is considering a new hate crimes bill (“Hate Crimes Prevention Act”). This legislation is a stepping stone to regulating the speech of people who support family values and could lead to the censoring of pastors and churches that speak out against homosexuality.

http://www.libertyaction.org/292/petition.asp?Ref_ID=2582&PID=20977119&P=1

They need 100,000 signatures by noon Wednesday, June 24th.
Click on the link to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)

Parental Rights Amendment Bill

2009-06-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

http://tr.im/lmoH Parental rights are at risk from our courts and international law. HJR 42 amends the Constitution to protect these rights.

The Challenge of Change Conference

2009-04-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa is hosting a Conference with the Eagle Forum on Staurday, May 9th.
It will be from 8:30am-4:30pm and the admission is free.
Topics include:

"Protecting our Religious Freedom" - Brad Dacus (Pacific Justice Institute)
"Why Vote? Do We Still Have Honest Elections?" - Mayor Robert Ming (Laguna Niguel)
"America, We Have a Problem!" - State Senator Randy Brogdon (Oklahoma)

For more information, please go to http://www.eagleforumofcalifornia.com/WdCon09.html

The End of Marriage?

2009-03-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this new initiative.

There are some college students who are taking action...against marriage!!

It is time to kick it into Ephesians 6:10-18 action.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/10/califiornia-election-official-proposes-measure-strike-marriage-state-laws/

Pastor Brent

Textbooks Distort Religion

2009-03-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

Was Jesus a "Palestinian"?

That's what one textbook claims. Take a look at an interesting perspective on what's happening in schools.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,506773,00.html

March 3rd Election Voter's Guide

2009-02-28T16:54:00.000-08:00

Go out to your local polling place and vote on March 3rd.

Here is the latest Voter's Guide

http://www.electionforum.org/

Broadcaster Freedom Act

2009-01-07T16:49:00.001-08:00

Here's the newest from the Family Research Council on the Development of the Fairness
Doctrine, which has the potential to give "equal" time to opposing views of Bible Studies and Christian Teaching on Christian Radio.

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR09A01

Proposition 8 Update

2008-11-18T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest from the Protectmarriage.com website. I will get more information out as it is revealed. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).

If you haven't signed on for the Salt and Light e-mail list, please do so on Sunday morning. I just sent one out this morning. It had much the same information, but you don't want to miss anything.

http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/proponents-of-proposition-8-urge-california-supreme-court-to-hear-challenges-to-measure-s-validity

Governor Schwarzenegger and Prop 8

2008-11-12T15:31:00.000-08:00

Update on Proposition 8 Governor Schwarzenegger has publicly stated that he is against Proposition 8 and hopes that the California Supreme Court will overturn the will of the people. Here is his contact information if you would like to express your opinion: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: 916-445-2841 / Fax: 916-558-3160.

Know Your Elected Officials

2008-11-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Exodus 18:21 says "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. " If that is what Jethro instructed Moses to lead God's people then, how much more do we need it now?
That is why it is important for us as believers to know who we are looking to elect and what they stand for. So I am including a few links below for you to review before you go to the polls on Tuesday:

1. Local California Issues:
Bills that have been up for vote in California's Assembly and Senate for 2008. It is an eye-opener. Especially take a look at your tax dollars on SB1301 and AB 2654, especially take a look at the "talking points".
http://states.cwfa.org/images/content/CA%20Targeted%20Bills%202008.pdf

2. Local Elected Officials
http://capwiz.com/frc/state/main/?state=CA
This is a great tool to find out which elected official is in your area.
3. Recommendations for Elections
http://www.electionforum.org/
This is very helpful for succinct voter information. You will have to scroll down to the middle of the page and follow one or two links to get to your area.
4. In depth Voting Resources
http://wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=94
This web site provides a 3 minute video on a Biblical response to those who aren't sure if voting is for us as believers as well as a wealth of resources for voting on a national and local level.
May you be blessed as you pray, vote and walk in the light this election year!

In Him,
Pastor Brent

Know What You're Voting For

2008-11-02T19:04:00.001-08:00

I have talked to many people who have said they have found this blog useful, but they don't know exactly how to use it.
To put it succinctly, instead of having to come to the blog to see if it has been updated you can simmply subscribe as one of the followers to the blog. That way you can receive an e-mail from the blog with the latest information and updates as they happens.
Simply, look right below the logo to the "subscriber" section where it says, "Follow This Blog", input your email address, and you will receive an e-mail each time new information is posted. I will try to keep this as relevant and to the point so as not to waste your time. In the next 24-48 hours there will be ALOT of information coming out pertaining to the election, so forward it to friends and family, make sure you are informed, and vote Biblically!

Brent

Schools Hand Out Gay Pledge Cards.....!?!?!??

2008-10-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

At a time when Kindergartener are just learning to write their names, the state is swooping in to indoctrinate them.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445865,00.html

L.A. County Early Voter Registration

2008-10-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

From now until November 3rd California is facilitating early voting.

Location: Registrar/Recorder County Clerk 3rd Floor, Room 3002
12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA. 90650
Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM
Saturday: November 1st, 8:00AM-8:00PM
Sunday: November 2nd, 8:00am-4:00pm

Truth and Lies

2008-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

The New "No on 8" commercial very misleading

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/yes-8-campaign-slams-new/story.aspx?guid=%7B108BC8D7-7655-48A8-A5AD-E071FA74B37F%7D&dist=hppr

10 Arguments from Social Science Against Same Sex Marriage

2008-10-21T07:31:00.001-07:00

I found this article on Family Research Council's Web site.
You can click the link below to find more information.

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IF04G01

1. Children hunger for their biological parents.
Homosexual couples using in vitro fertilization (IVF) or surrogate mothers deliberately create a class of children who will live apart from their mother or father. Yale Child Study Center psychiatrist Kyle Pruett reports that children of IVF often ask their single or lesbian mothers about their fathers, asking their mothers questions like the following:"Mommy, what did you do with my daddy?" "Can I write him a letter?" "Has he ever seen me?" "Didn't you like him? Didn't he like me?" Elizabeth Marquardt reports that children of divorce often report similar feelings about their non-custodial parent, usually the father.
Kyle Pruett, Fatherneed (Broadway Books, 2001) 204.
Elizabeth Marquardt, The Moral and Spiritual Lives of Children of Divorce. Forthcoming.
2. Children need fathers.
If same-sex civil marriage becomes common, most same-sex couples with children would be lesbian couples. This would mean that we would have yet more children being raised apart from fathers. Among other things, we know that fathers excel in reducing antisocial behavior and delinquency in boys and sexual activity in girls.
What is fascinating is that fathers exercise a unique social and biological influence on their children. For instance, a recent study of father absence on girls found that girls who grew up apart from their biological father were much more likely to experience early puberty and a teen pregnancy than girls who spent their entire childhood in an intact family. This study, along with David Popenoe's work, suggests that a father's pheromones influence the biological development of his daughter, that a strong marriage provides a model for girls of what to look for in a man, and gives them the confidence to resist the sexual entreaties of their boyfriends.
* Ellis, Bruce J., et al., "Does Father Absence Place Daughters at Special Risk for Early Sexual Activity and Teenage Pregnancy?" Child Development, 74:801-821.
* David Popenoe, Life Without Father (Boston: Harvard University Press, 1999).
3. Children need mothers.
Although homosexual men are less likely to have children than lesbians, homosexual men are and will be raising children. There will be even more if homosexual civil marriage is legalized. These households deny children a mother. Among other things, mothers excel in providing children with emotional security and in reading the physical and emotional cues of infants. Obviously, they also give their daughters unique counsel as they confront the physical, emotional, and social challenges associated with puberty and adolescence. Stanford psychologist Eleanor MacCoby summarizes much of this literature in her book, The Two Sexes. See also Steven Rhoads' book, Taking Sex Differences Seriously.
Eleanor MacCoby, The Two Sexes: Growing Up Apart, Coming Together (Boston: Harvard, 1998).
Steven Rhoads, Taking Sex Differences Seriously (Encounter Books, 2004).
4. Evidence on parenting by same-sex couples is inadequate.
A number of leading professional associations have asserted that there are "no differences" between children raised by homosexuals and those raised by heterosexuals. But the research in this area is quite preliminary; most of the studies are done by advocates and most suffer from serious methodological problems. Sociologist Steven Nock of the University of Virginia, who is agnostic on the issue of same-sex civil marriage, offered this review of the literature on gay parenting as an expert witness for a Canadian court considering legalization of same-sex civil marriage:
Through this analysis I draw my conclusions that 1) all of the articles I reviewed contained at least one fatal flaw of design or execution; and 2) not a single one of those studies was conducted according to general accepted standards of scientific research.
This is not exactly the kind of social scientific evidence you would want to launch a major family experiment.
Steven Nock, affidavit to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice regarding Hedy Halpern et al. University of Virginia Sociology Department (2001).
5. Evidence suggests children raised by homosexuals are more likely to experience gender and sexual disorders.
Although the evidence on child outcomes is sketchy, it does suggest that children raised by lesbians or homosexual men are more likely to experience gender and sexual disorders. Judith Stacey-- a sociologist and an advocate for same-sex civil marriage--reviewed the literature on child outcomes and found the following: "lesbian parenting may free daughters and sons from a broad but uneven range of traditional gender prescriptions." Her conclusion here is based on studies that show that sons of lesbians are less masculine and that daughters of lesbians are more masculine.
She also found that a "significantly greater proportion of young adult children raised by lesbian mothers than those raised by heterosexual mothers ... reported having a homoerotic relationship." Stacey also observes that children of lesbians are more likely to report homoerotic attractions.
Her review must be viewed judiciously, given the methodological flaws detailed by Professor Nock in the literature as a whole. Nevertheless, theses studies give some credence to conservative concerns about the effects of homosexual parenting.
Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz, "(How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?" American Sociological Review 66: 159-183. See especially 168-171.
6. Same-sex "marriage" would undercut the norm of sexual fidelity within marriage.
One of the biggest threats that same-sex "marriage" poses to marriage is that it would probably undercut the norm of sexual fidelity in marriage. In the first edition of his book in defense of same-sex marriage, Virtually Normal, homosexual commentator Andrew Sullivan wrote: "There is more likely to be greater understanding of the need for extramarital outlets between two men than between a man and a woman." Of course, this line of thinking--were it incorporated into marriage and telegraphed to the public in sitcoms, magazines, and other mass media--would do enormous harm to the norm of sexual fidelity in marriage.
One recent study of civil unions and marriages in Vermont suggests this is a very real concern. More than 79 percent of heterosexual married men and women, along with lesbians in civil unions, reported that they strongly valued sexual fidelity. Only about 50 percent of gay men in civil unions valued sexual fidelity.
Esther Rothblum and Sondra Solomon, Civil Unions in the State of Vermont: A Report on the First Year. University of Vermont Department of Psychology, 2003.
David McWhirter and Andrew Mattison, The Male Couple (Prentice Hall, 1984) 252.
7. Same-sex "marriage" would further isolate marriage from its procreative purpose.
Traditionally, marriage and procreation have been tightly connected to one another. Indeed, from a sociological perspective, the primary purpose that marriage serves is to secure a mother and father for each child who is born into a society. Now, however, many Westerners see marriage in primarily emotional terms.
Among other things, the danger with this mentality is that it fosters an anti-natalist mindset that fuels population decline, which in turn puts tremendous social, political, and economic strains on the larger society. Same-sex marriage would only further undercut the procreative norm long associated with marriage insofar as it establishes that there is no necessary link between procreation and marriage.
This was spelled out in the Goodridge decision in Massachusetts, where the majority opinion dismissed the procreative meaning of marriage. It is no accident that the countries that have legalized or are considering legalizing same-sex marriage have some of the lowest fertility rates in the world. For instance, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada have birthrates that hover around 1.6 children per woman--well below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1.
For national fertility rates, see: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sw.html
For more on the growing disconnect between marriage and procreation, see: http://marriage.rutgers.edu/Publications/SOOU/SOOU2003.pdf
8. Same-sex "marriage" would further diminish the expectation of paternal commitment.
The divorce and sexual revolutions of the last four decades have seriously undercut the norm that couples should get and stay married if they intend to have children, are expecting a child, or already have children. Political scientist James Q. Wilson reports that the introduction of no-fault divorce further destabilized marriage by weakening the legal and cultural meaning of the marriage contract. George Akerlof, a Nobel laureate and an economist, found that the widespread availability of contraception and abortion in the 1960s and 1970s, and the sexual revolution they enabled, made it easier for men to abandon women they got pregnant, since they could always blame their girlfriends for not using contraception or procuring an abortion.
It is plausible to suspect that legal recognition of homosexual civil marriage would have similar consequences for the institution of marriage; that is, it would further destabilize the norm that adults should sacrifice to get and stay married for the sake of their children. Why? Same-sex civil marriage would institutionalize the idea that children do not need both their mother and their father.
This would be particularly important for men, who are more likely to abandon their children. Homosexual civil marriage would make it even easier than it already is for men to rationalize their abandonment of their children. After all, they could tell themselves, our society, which affirms lesbian couples raising children, believes that children do not need a father. So, they might tell themselves, I do not need to marry or stay married to the mother of my children.
James Q. Wilson, The Marriage Problem. (Perennial, 2003) 175-177.
George A. Akerlof, Janet L. Yellen, and Michael L. Katz, "An Analysis of Out-of-Wedlock Childbearing in the United States." Quarterly Journal of Economics CXI: 277-317.
9. Marriages thrive when spouses specialize in gender-typical roles.
If same-sex civil marriage is institutionalized, our society would take yet another step down the road of de-gendering marriage. There would be more use of gender-neutral language like "partners" and--more importantly--more social and cultural pressures to neuter our thinking and our behaviors in marriage.
But marriages typically thrive when spouses specialize in gender-typical ways and are attentive to the gendered needs and aspirations of their husband or wife. For instance, women are happier when their husband earns the lion's share of the household income. Likewise, couples are less likely to divorce when the wife concentrates on childrearing and the husband concentrates on breadwinning, as University of Virginia psychologist Mavis Hetherington admits.
E. Mavis Hetherington and John Kelly, For Better or For Worse. (W.W. Norton and Co., 2002) 31.
Steven Rhoads, Taking Sex Differences Seriously (Encounter Books, 2004).
10. Women and marriage domesticate men.
Men who are married earn more, work harder, drink less, live longer, spend more time attending religious services, and are more sexually faithful. They also see their testosterone levels drop, especially when they have children in the home.
If the distinctive sexual patterns of "committed" gay couples are any indication (see above), it is unlikely that homosexual marriage would domesticate men in the way that heterosexual marriage does. It is also extremely unlikely that the biological effects of heterosexual marriage on men would also be found in homosexual marriage. Thus, gay activists who argue that same-sex civil marriage will domesticate gay men are, in all likelihood, clinging to a foolish hope. This foolish hope does not justify yet another effort to meddle with marriage.
Steve Nock, Marriage in Men's Lives (Oxford University Press, 1998).
Hardwired to Connect: The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities (Institute for American Values, 2003) 17.

Pulbic Records Show Prop 8 Opponents DO want Gay Marriage Taught in Schools

2008-10-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

"A Teachable Moment" - It seems the media is actually teaching the California public more than they intended.
http://www.earnedmedia.org/prom1016.htm

David Barton - Wall Builders

2008-10-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

If you have not heard of David Barton, it is worth your time to look at his web site.
David Barton is a believer and a Christian Historian. He has made documentaries that chronicle America's Godly Heritage. In these documentaries he shares how our Founding Fathers were men of God.
Below are a couple of links that take you to the Resource Page of his ministry called Wall
Builders. The second link takes you to a page where there is a transcript of an "Election Sermon". That's right! Pastors were actually giving Bible Studies to elected officials before they took a public office! Pastors that taught what the Bible says about various social, political, and national events. The second link will take you to an "Election Sermon" given to a congregation that consisted of, among others, John Hancock and Samuel Adams.

http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=94

http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=50

Gay Marriage Proponents to Deliver Protest Letter to LDS Church

2008-10-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10736846

California Teacher's Union Donates $1 Million to "No On Proposition 8"

2008-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest list of those who are opposing the Prop 8.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10729789?source=most_emailed

Prop 8 Supporter Attacked While Distributing Signs

2008-10-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

This is the latest information...Click on the link below

http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/prop-8-supporter-violently-attacked-for-distributing-lawn-signs

It's Still 'Already Happening'!!

2008-10-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Take a look at what's happening in our schools...already!!!
The "No on Prop 8" Campaign wants the public to believe that this couldn't happen. But it's already taking place.

http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/first-graders-taken-to-san-francisco-city-hall-for-gay-wedding

Prop 8 in the Polls

2008-10-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not someone who lives or dies by the polls, but as we get closer to the November deadline, it's nice to get some sort of barometer.
So check out the latest with regard to the proposition 8 in the polls stats.

http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/new-poll-shows-traditional-marriage-in-the-lead

Implications of Prop 8 Failure

2008-10-10T15:35:00.000-07:00