Our family does not watch a lot of television, but our radios are turned on frequently. We tend to stick to the left side of the dial, alternating between NPR and Christian radio stations. Last month, I attended a CLE on the other side of town, and listened to a local Christian radio station during the long drive home. The CLE had ended at mid-day, and on weekdays that tends to be a busy time for me. Generally I’m not in the car then and don’t have time for the radio. As a result, I happened upon a program called “Janet Parshall’s America” for the very first time. I almost could not believe what I was hearing. When I tuned in, Ms. Parshall was extremely angry and was venting about President Obama’s anti-Christian bias. In that our president is a professed Christian who was baptized several decades ago, I found this frustration perplexing to say the least.
While I was in the car and listening to the program, Ms. Parshall talked about a luncheon of past White House social secretaries before Obama took office. They were meeting with Desiree Rogers (the in-coming social secretary) to welcome her and support her in her new role. According to Ms. Parshall, Ms. Rogers had shocked the group by indicating at the luncheon that the Obamas were considering not displaying a creche that had been displayed in a public room of the White House (not in the private family quarters) by many past presidents. Apparently, the Obamas had concerns about offending people of other faiths. Ms. Parshall indicated that the creche was eventually displayed in the Obama White House, but seemed to dismiss it as simply bowing to public pressure (by indignant Christians?).
Ms. Parshall also talked with great anger about the president’s preferences for Muslims, who were given priority in getting H1N1 vaccinations before leaving for the Hajj. She also mentioned President Obama had issued proclamations to Muslims during some religious holiday. Ms. Parshall equated these preferences and the hesitancy over the creche as evidence of anti-Christian hostility.
Frankly, I was not aware of the White House creche. I do not follow White House decorations and celebrations. I missed that Oprah special. It does not really matter to me one way or the other, but certainly I would appreciate concerns about offending non-Christian Americans with a creche in a public room of a building that is owned by our country’s taxpayers. If the United States one day has a Buddhist or Muslim majority, I don’t think I’d be thrilled by prominent displays of those religions in public buildings.
Moreover, it seems like a basic public health policy to give Americans traveling on the Hajj priority for a vaccine against a highly transmittable virus that they could bring back to our country. It also seems like very basic political common sense to issue proclamations to any sizeable demographic on days of importance to those groups. I’d be surprised if President George W. Bush and his predecessors did not issue similar celebratory proclamations to Muslims as well.
As a more general matter, I just don’t understand the apparently continuing furor against President Obama and the suspicion of his faith by some conservative Christians. Mr. Obama was baptized as a Christian in 1988, well before he entered politics. He was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ for about twenty years. If that was all a facade to woo Christian voters, it was quite an elaborate hoax and it apparently did not work too well. Why would anyone would fail to accept someone’s profession of faith at their word? I have always accepted President Bush’s assertion that he is a Christian. Why wouldn’t others accept President Obama’s? I don’t understand what is going on.
I also don’t understand how the White House creche “issue” can be cited as evidence of hostility to Christianity and not just sensitivity to non-Christians in a pluralistic democracy. The American people elected Barack Obama to be our president, not our head pastor. He was elected to govern all of us, not just the Christians.
To me, the most concerning aspect of Ms. Parshall’s program that day last month was that it seemed to be a desperate, even silly attempt to come up with some reason to dislike and oppose President Obama. I’ve perused Ms. Parshall’s website, a link to which is provided below.
http://www.jpamerica.com/
The website is quite interesting. Ms. Parshall’s radio program is labeled a “ministry” but conservative politics are pervasive. In listening, her radio program was very reminiscent of Rush Limbaugh. She certainly had the angry tone down pat. Beyond gender, the main difference between Mr. Limbaugh and Ms. Parshall was Ms. Parshall’s quoting of Scripture and references to prayer. I have actually listened to Mr. Limbaugh on numerous occasions and don’t recall him ever quoting Scripture or talking about prayer. Maybe I just missed those broadcasts.
From her website, I take it that Ms. Parshall’s show is not always as political as it was the day I happened upon it. Looking at her past program topics, some do not appear to be political at all. Indeed, I caught a little of her program earlier this month, and she seemed much less angry as she spoke with former Redskins coach, Jim Gibbs.
It is interesting because when I was looking at Ms. Parshall’s website, the summary of the show on December 11, 2009 (the day I first caught her radio program) mentions nothing of President Obama’s anti-Christian hostility, the White House creche or the president’s Muslim bias. The show is apparently a three hour program, and I listened to about half an hour of it, all of which focused on such concerns. I’m not sure why the program summary does not mention that part of the program.
http://www.jpamerica.com/showsummary.aspx?show=12/11/2009
Ephesians 4:31 (New American Standard Bible)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
1Peter 2:13-15
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
You may now see that the president in addressing Muslims in many instances, does not do so with Christians. He did not address the pro-life participants in their march in January, as other presidents have. He ignored the National Day of Prayer, commented on by past presidents. It seems the only people of faith he doesn't mind offending are Christians.
ReplyDeleteWe are to pray for those in authority and President Obama needs our prayers. His confessions of being a Christian are hard for me to believe because of his support of abortion and same sex marriage. We are not to kill God's unborn children or deface what He made marriage to be. One man and One woman.
ReplyDelete"They honor me with their lip but their hearts are far from me"...and Ye shall know them by their fruits....Jesus Christ
DeleteJanet does have an enthusiastic personality that could make some uncomfortable. However, I hope you don't seriously believe Obama is a Christian. Especially, on this blog where you claim to defend the faith, I find it hard to believe that the overwhelming evidence of Obama's hatred of Christianity doesn't cause you to agree with Janet, irregardless of your opinion of her personality.
ReplyDelete"Obama Mocks America's Christian Heritage"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-P3yAaAqI&feature=related
Exodus 20:3, You shall have no other Gods before Me.
"Obama Admits He Is A Muslim"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCAffMSWSzY
Deuteronomy 4:24, For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Let's make sure we study scripture, not to find a God to our liking, but to understand who God is, as He has revealed Himself to be in scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Once we start throwing out the parts of the Bible that make us unconfortable, we turn a blind eye to attributes of the true God that He intends to reveal to His children. If you change the list of attributes of God, you in effect, create a new god, that is not the same God revealed in scripture.
Revelation 22:18-19
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Obama, like anyone else, can't have it both ways. You either serve the God of the Bible, or you don't.
There are several concerns that are telling in your lack of understanding in the founding of this country, but there are two that I would like to speak to. The most alarming is your statement, "If the United States one day has a Buddhist or Muslim majority, I don’t think I’d be thrilled by prominent displays of those religions in public buildings." If one day the United States has a Muslim or Buddhist majority it means that we have been conquered. Last I checked the Supreme Court had ruled that we were in fact a Christian Nation under the Constitution and not shari law.
ReplyDeleteOn point two, it's interesting that you would use the term assert when speaking about President Bush's profession of faith. Assert has a negative connotation it implies (from another perspective) that one is forcing his unwarranted value or world view into the mix. Your tone implies that you dismiss Bush's profession.
...then again tone, rather than content is more your concern.
Anyone who believes and professes Jesus as Lord cannot believe there is room for any other religion than Christianity. Our president may give lip service that he is Christian but his actions declare he is not. He does not walk the walk nor talk the talk.
ReplyDeleteGoing to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Simply by definition christian faith is conservitive in its beliefs,just read the bible more and listen to others less.To anyone who truely learns of our founding of this country will know that is was a judeo-christian mindset,our constitution and bill of rights was put together with this mindset.The progressive mindset is to try and make us believe that times have changed,but the truth never changes it doesn't have to it is truth.I can only pray that our country will turn back to God for as the Bible says(I am the truth and the light).
ReplyDeleteJanet Parshall is a fascist who wraps herself in the American flag and hides her bigotry behind the Bible.
ReplyDeleteHer show is (was) 50% bashing the left and %50 percent making excuses for the right. She is a total xenophobe who has no patience, tolerance nor understanding of anyone who is not like herself.
For whatever reason, her mind-numbing wasting of the public airwaves for several hours a week is finally off the air.
"Progressive" and "Christianity" in one sentence? An oxymoron!
ReplyDeleteI am extremely disappointed that Moody radio carries Janet Parshall. Her lack of focus on scripture and Jesus Christ our Lord is sad.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I don't think John the Baptist was quiet, calm and smiling the entire time he spoke the truth, especially when he was calling Herod an adulterer (Mark 6:17-18). And "Repent and be baptized!" could offend many who think they are without sin; nevertheless, John spoke the truth (Matthew 3:1-6). Exactly as Janet Parshalls does. Love speaks hard truths as well as gentle truths. And I believe Janet Parshalls IS "submitting" herself to those in power over her...she is still living here in America and still paying hard-earned taxes...I'd call that submission. Lastly, you forgot what the light of Jesus Christ does...it reveals evil that wants to hide in darkness. I'd say the light of Jesus Christ in Janet Parshall is shining pretty brightly. Wish more lights would come out from under the bushel baskets that they're hiding under for fear of "offending" someone. "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known." (Matthew 10:26)
ReplyDeleteI would favor vaporizing cities rather than the enemy's holy book. Such a tactic is that of a small vendictive woman.
ReplyDeleteProgressive (isn't that Marxist) Christianity sounds suspiciously like government sponsored Christianity.
ReplyDelete"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" You have an awful lot of rocks in your hands folks. Put them down, and live a Christian life by example, that is the best way to move hearts.
ReplyDeleteDr. Pease-Wingenter -- thanks for your comments on Janet Parshall. I totally agree with your analysis after having listened to her for a while. She is an extreme right wing Christian who does bend over backwards in order to find things to criticize about Obama and the Democrats (not that they cannot be criticized -- I am critically of them from a progressive point of view). Her allegations of Obama being a Muslim and these examples of her allegations of his anti-Christianity are laughable, but seem to be common among right wingers. It is frustrating because you cannot rationally argue with them, since they drum up allegations based on such little "evidence."
ReplyDeleteThere was a time I would maybe have felt the same way as Ms. Pease-Wingenter and one must have a change of heart, a real change the opens eyes. I am, for one, very blessed to have had my eyes opened by the Lord Jesus Christ. Mrs. Parshall is a very esteemed broadcaster and makes her points succinctly. I did not hear that particular broadcast but being a Jewish believer in Jesus I will say that you cannot serve two masters. See the Bible for that reference.
ReplyDeleteIf you are not following GOD you are blind! It is pretty obvious that there are alot of you that cannot see the truth. We are all going to be judged some day before God. Hope you're ready. I'm sure janet is. She is right on.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jennijanine, I'm 100% Christian first, African American by nationality, proud Vet of the US Army and without hesitation I agree w/ Janet Parshall overwhelmingly. I know her heart's integrity is in God's Word & our rights as Christian Americans concerning the Issues brought forth on the show sponsored by the honorable Moody Radio Broadcasting is right on the money. It's silly how some like to extract certain scriptures to validate their grievance with Christians to proudly display who they are. For those who don't want to see our displays at Christmas holy day in a public place where we ALL pay taxes, close your eyes. I'm not at all shocked at the allegations/verbal indictments against Janet & the faith. And she is no Rush Limbaugh at all, that's a pretty incredulous statement. Janet needs to keep her insiteful, passionate, and spirit-filled speech and dialogue w/ the awesome guests featured on that show flowing. If Janet could read this comment I would say to her: shine the light, babe, don't hide the light...that the world may see. And I would also say: "Keep it up Boo!" But I'd bet my life and yours that when we get to heaven, the last word will belong2 God who will say: Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter ye n2 my rest, Boo" or somethin' 2 dat affect. We WILL see.
ReplyDeleteThank God for all the comments supporting Janet Parschall! I believe she is definately on the Lord's side and I thank God for her and for her courage to speak the truth. Many that are highly educated in this country are seemingly unknowledgable in other nation's histories nor of their persecution of Christians, even now. Not offending them? Weren't we called to spread the Gospel message to the world? Matthew 5:16 states 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Now how can we do that if we are afraid of offending someone? My father was born in Russia and members of his family were literally cut into pieces for their faith in Christ during the early 1900's Communist takeover. Thank the Lord he was able to leave and I will NEVER 'keep quiet' about our faith nor will I be afraid of 'offending someone'if it means telling him about Jesus. I think that Ms. Pease-Wingenter should spend some time reading works by Richard Wurmbrand, Bonhoeffer, or even Ravi Zacharias. We need to reach others, across the world, for Him so that they might have eternal life! That is what is most important, no matter what else.
ReplyDeleteJanet Parshall is not politically correct, just spiritually correct. The media and pop culture tries to swing our moral compasses to the left, and people are often deceived by such pressures, but the Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and shines the light of truth to keep us aligned with Absolute Truth. Search His Word daily and find out what God has to say about evil in this world. Yes, things should be said in love, and tough love mixed with a genuine interest in all to become saved is what Janet is all about. I'm thankful that we live in a country where free speech still exists and we still have the option to turn the dial from those we don't agree. However, keep listening to her and stay in God's Word, and the Truth will set you free.
ReplyDeleteI listened to Janet Parshall's program for years and I can tell you that she is a very very angry woman. She is also one of the biggest hypocrites on the Christian right. She feigns sincerity and feigns humility. She often brags about her time with former President Bush and how he invited her to serve at the UN. She thinks she knows everything and while she has a great intellectual grasp on the subject, she is in dire need of emotional maturity. Her four children, I suspect all have mental problems like she does, and her husband is an arrogant litigator in DC who is only published as an author because of her program. Moody would do good to get rid of her boring as all get out show and replace her with someone more like Chris Fabry who is truly genuine. however, as long as the christian right continues to kiss each others ass, she'll be up in front fooling the ignorant people who listen to her. She often says that Christians are the best argument for or against Christianity - she's one Christian who made me want to walk away from the church permanently because of what a big hypocrite she is.
ReplyDeleteOh, Janet, keep standing on the Word of God. The more right you are, the more criticism you'll get from those who are blinded by satan....and, yes, I meant to spell satan with a lower case "s."
ReplyDeleteAmen! Obama is a fraud! There is no Jesus in him as is obvious in his administering. Zero! Null!
DeleteHe is a Muslim sympathizer and we Christians must be alert!
Everyone is using bible verses to defend their point, while we should be quick to turn to scripture, but even quicker to keep them in the context of the entirety of the Holy Bible. I have been listening to Janet Parshall for some time now and though her views might at times be hard to swallow, she does her best to shed light and God's truth on the topics and policies that affect our nation. Though I do not think she comes off as angry, I am sure she is frustrated with the luke-warm, half-hearted nation that we live in. I know one thing for sure, while God is love (and I do believe this), He is not some mushy-gushy push over. If you love some things (life, children, marriage etc.), you must hate others, as God does (abortion, same-sex unions etc...do not interpret this to mean he hates those who are gay). The Word of God is truth and must be spoken, and Janet is one of the few to hold to and defend its truths. If it is not sugar-coated in the bible, there is no reason for her to do so. The truth will offend and by offending it should cause us to repent, but we live in a fallen world and are blinded by lies. Many times we tend to interpret the Word to mean what we WANT it to hear instead of what is really presented to us. While I do not know enough about Obama to say whether he is or is not a Christian, I do know that he is politically correct.To be politically correct is not to stand on the Word, because while the "right thing" for our society may change, the Lord's "right" is never wrong and is always unchanged.
ReplyDelete"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24
"Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed."
Proverbs 12:19
the bottom line is Christianity is not progressive and not a buffet where you pick and choose what you like.
ReplyDeleteJanet Parshall is a Christian and follows Biblical tenets. Obama is not a real Christian, he is pro abortion, supports a homosexual lifestyle, He once said there are many ways to heaven, when Jesus Himself told us unless one believes in Him, that person is condemned already and that there NO WAY unto the Father unless by Him. So Obama is like many lost washed Christians.
Comments should not have to be approved, that then makes this biased to leave what is written up to the site owner. That is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI am writing to respond to the anonymous person who left a comment on July 15, 2011.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I invite you to read my post from September 30, 2010 entitled "Comments to This Blog," which explains the rationale for moderating comments. Contrary to your concern, I am not interested in cherry-picking reader comments. However, moderating comments is important because I will not permit this blog to be a vehicle for the dissemination of pornography or to incite readers to engage in acts of violence.
Second, I also invite you to reveal your identity when leaving a post. If you are not sure how to do that, the post from September 30, 2010 explains the process.
Thank you and have a nice day.
just as a person born of a jewish mother is a jew, a person born of a moslem father is a moslem. To convert from islam to another faith is a serious crime in over fifty countries. In Iran it is a capital offence, as it is in several other countries. I can belive Obama is a christian but it seems the moslem world does not.
ReplyDelete{We tend to stick to the left side of the dial, alternating between NPR and Christian radio stations}
ReplyDeleteListening to NPR is not going to provide anything but biased Socialist social justice, anti-Christian, anti-Conservative, and anti-Capitalist perspectives, propitiated by the Socialist / Marxist academia that controls the University mind set.
{Moreover, it seems like a basic public health policy to give Americans traveling on the Hajj priority for a vaccine against a highly transmittable virus that they could bring back to our country.}
Why should regular travelers go to the end of the line?
{He was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ for about twenty years.}
I'm glad you so vigorously point that out. Wright preached Black Liberation philosophy, Black superiority, anti-American and allied himself with the Nation of Islam Louis Farakhan who spews nothing but hate, particularly of Jews.
(Someone's comment - she's one Christian who made me want to walk away from the church permanently because of what a big hypocrite she is.}
Whoever that was didn't have a Christian Faith to begin with - if it's true and not just a troll comment!
One needs to listen to many voice from the right or left to gain a accurate overview of the ideology.
You claim Progressive Christianity
Progressive political as defined by Wickipedia - associated with left wing politics in the US & Canada
Progressive Christianity - Emphasis on social justice. Progressive Christians believe that the Bible is not the literal word of God. Progressive Christians tend to focus on issues of social justice. Most pundits and articulate thinkers seem to offer the opinion that "Social Justice" is just a bland word for Marxist ideology and distribution of wealth.
You may be a lawyer, but your vastly uninformed about Muslim theology. In Islam women are treated like dogs, sexual slaves. controlled completely and it is the duty of the husband to whip them occasionally or as often as he thinks appropriate.
http://terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/guideDesc.asp?catId=8&type=group
Claudine,
ReplyDeleteI've listened to Janet on several occasions and find her perspective well reasoned and Biblical. Perhaps you should consider all of her work like we were told we should do with Common, the rapper invited earlier this year to the White House who praises cop killers in his music.
Given your the background you share in your "about" is so very limit, I would like to challenge you to read the articles in the included link. In #3 the author give a mathematical formula that applies to measurements and most of the rest of life:
T = R + C, where T = the "true" value, R = the reading, and C = the total of ALL observable corrections.
You need more data. Highly effective habit #4 is: "seek to understand, then be understood. Your narrow world of academia, Jurisprudence, and NPR is insufficient to even remotely approach "T".
http://www.profsurv.com/magazine/article.aspx?i=163
I seem to remember from Scripture that the Apostles said "we must obey God rather than man" Remember that one.
ReplyDeleteThank God - Jesus loves me . I don't like Janet Parchel and I really dislike Obama. They both bend truth to suit their agenda.
ReplyDelete