Destroying Freedom of Conscience

In Random House Webster's Dictionary, the term "conscience" is defined as:
1. The inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience.
2. The complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.
3. An inhibiting sense of what is prudent.
4. Conscientiousness
5. Obs. consciousness; self-knowledge. - Idiom.
6. in all conscience, in all reason and fairness.
7. on one's conscience (of a wrongdoing) burdening one with guilt.

In a series of movies depicting the End Times, the underlying theme throughout them all is the obvious ongoing battle between good and evil. One movie in the series deals directly with this battle, however, what is a bit different is that the people who think that they are enjoying this false sense of "utopia" is actually the evidence that their freedom of conscience had been taken away. What the people may not realize, is that they are being ruled by a leader whose iron fist kind of government has deceived them into believing that he is the 'real Messiah' when he is actually the anti-Christ. By forcing them to take 'the mark' in order to buy, sell and exist in the world without being killed for their beliefs, we see that the real motive of the anti-Christ is not this utopia that the people see as good, but it is the false sense of harmony, tolerance, and passiveness which inevitably takes away their freedom of choice (particularly, to follow God and His Word) and replaces their former 'freedom of conscience' with darkness in the grip of the evil supreme leader of One Nation Earth Franco Macalousso (portrayed by Nick Mancuso).

What I have just described above is from the last in a series of end-times Christian movies. This one is called Judgment.

The DVD cover states, "Judgment is a movie about this evil 'messiah's' effort to charge his long-time nemesis Helen Hannah (portrayed by Leigh Lewis) with crimes against humanity by the World Court. Mitch Kendrick (portrayed by Corbin Bernsen) is the troubled, reluctant lawyer assigned to defend her.

Prosecutor Victoria Thorne (portrayed by Jessica Steen) is not only Kendrick's ex-lover but a high-powered attorney with a ruthless ambition to condemn all Haters. She has arranged that the verdict will convict Hannah if the trial's pre-written script is closely followed by Mitch.

But as Mitch digs deeper into the evidence and begins to doubt his own beliefs, he decides there's only one way to uncover the real truth...to put God on trial! Within the final verdict lies the fate of the innocent, the ultimate destiny of a lost soul, and an inconceivable judgment against God Himself."

This movie pits the Supreme Court vs. The Supreme Being. Quite a task!
I have seen it several times and have noticed that much of the plot depicted in the movie scenes are eerily similar to what is currently going on in the U.S. today.

For example. In the movie, a Christian woman named Helen Hannah is falsely accused of "crimes against humanity" and she is called a "hater." This sounds strikingly similar to the current debate going on in the House regarding the inclusion of "hate crimes laws" which are unnecessary and unfairly designed to give special consideration and protection for homosexuals when a crime (or, perceived 'hate' crime) is done against them.

Homosexual activists in Canada have already been successful at passing such a law that is so sweeping that it makes it a "hate crime" to even just quote Bible verses that condemn homosexuality as sin!

Do you honestly think that this wouldn't happen here?

Think again.

It almost became a reality for Christians who were attempting to minister to homosexuals at an outreach called "Out of the Fire" at P-town last year.

All went well until the very end when a drag queen began an altercation with several of the ministry's individuals. Four police cars arrived on the scene and the drag queen tried to have the Christians arrested for committing a "hate crime." When the police officer asked what crime was committed, he was told a Bible was given to the drag queen and told he was "precious in God's eyes." The police just shook their heads, said that didn't sound hateful at all and of course let the evangelists go. Do you see where "hate crimes" like this would lead? It wouldn't be just a person's actions, but also a person's thoughts that could, and would, be considered "hateful" and thus deemed punishable under hate crimes law!

Another related problem is the chance of false accusation. A case that occurred a few weeks back (but didn't get much mainstream news coverage) involved a gay person who claimed a hate crime was done against her. I think it had something to do with her car being damaged and spray painted with derogatory words. Later, it was found out that she did this damage herself! Can we see how 'hate crimes' laws like this could be severely abused?

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Look at this warning from the Traditional Values Coalition:

"During the time when all conservatives were focused on supporting the confirmation of Judge John Roberts to become the Chief Justice of the U.S., liberal Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) quietly attached a homosexual hate crimes amendment to the House anti-pedophile bill known as the Children’s Safety Act.

If this hate crimes/thought crimes amendment is passed, our culture will be rapidly homosexualized, dissent will be suppressed and free speech will die! I’m not over-stating the seriousness of this threat.

Now the Senate is working on their version of the sex offender bill and could attach a hate crimes/thought crimes amendment to it!

“Hate Speech” could criminalize Christians.

Once homosexuals and transgenders are given minority status under federal law, homosexual activists will use this law as a stepping stone to criminalize “hate speech.” So if a person says anything negative concerning homosexuals or cross dressers, it could be interpreted as “hate speech.” Will using Bible verses when trying to minister to homosexuals be considered a crime?

If such a “hate speech” crime goes to court they will consider the intent of the statement. Thus the thoughts of people will be judged and this becomes a “thought crime”. I call this the hate crimes/thought crimes amendment.

As you can see, if passed, this hate crimes amendment will directly impact freedom of religion, speech, and association.

We’re not just theorizing about what may happen if hate crimes legislation is passed in the U.S. at the federal level.

We can look at what is happening in Canada already because homosexual legislators have passed hate crimes legislation that criminalizes any public criticism of homosexual behavior! Canadian Pastor Stephen Boission is facing criminal charges in Canada for preaching against homosexual conduct. School Counselor Chris Kempling is facing similar charges for publishing letters to the editor citing the dangerous health problems associated with homosexuality."

(end of excerpt)
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Anna was kind enough to share some of her thoughts about the battle over the inclusion of 'hate crimes' legislation:

"Things sure happen fast on the news front. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)and the Judiciary Committee has successfully stripped the hate crimes amendment, which was attached to the House bill on protecting children at the last minute. However, there is still a battle ahead. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) is strongly in favor of such legislation and will be pushing for it. Another MA liberal is ready to add such terminology onto another totally different bill. They are sure trying. I'm thankful for Citizenlink and other watchdog groups, who are seeking to protect our religious freedoms and freedom of speech."

You might be reading this and thinking, what's the big deal?

Anna and I are by far not the only ones sounding the alarm bells on this extremely important issue.

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The following is an excerpt from Robert A.J. Gagnon, Ph. D:

"The greatest threat to your civil liberties and the future liberties of your children is once more upon us. In September the House of Representatives passed a "hate crimes" bill, entitled "The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act," as an amendment to the Child Safety Act (H.R. 3132). It was rushed through the House in 40 minutes in a stealth move by Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan) and includes among its classifications for special protection "sexual orientation" and even "gender identity" (i.e. transvestism and transsexualism). Now Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and others are seeking to get a similar amendment passed in the Senate. If it passes the Senate, it becomes the law of the land. Although the Senate Judiciary Committee passed today a new version of the Child Safety Act without the "hate crimes" amendment (S. 1086: "The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act," sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]), it appears that Senator Kennedy either will try to reintroduce the amendment when the legislation comes to the floor or will add it to another bill such as "The Streamlined Procedures Act of 2005" (S. 1088). It is extremely important for you to call your U.S. Senators, and perhaps too the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bill First, at the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to reject such a "hate crime" amendment to any bill. If it passes, "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" will become ensconced into U.S. law as valid civil rights categories. From this will flow inevitably a number of tragic results for those who do not agree that homosexual practice or transgenderism is a good thing. Some of these tragic results will occur in a very short space of time; others will happen within a few years to a decade. Many of these tragic results have already taken place in Canada, Scandinavia and the lowland European countries, and even in parts of the United States. For a nice summary of what has already happened in Canada go to: Persecution

For references to events in the United States and other parts of the world see, for example, my online articles at Homosexual Agenda Articles
and False Witness (pp. 10-18)

Also, online articles by Robert Knight at Papers and Articles; and Alan Sears and Craig Osten, The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003)."

(end of excerpt)

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With all of that said, I can imagine that any person reading this who happens to be homosexual may be thinking, "There she goes again...bashing our community, trying to trample on and take away our rights...yada yada yada."

No. That is NOT what this is about. It is about a law that when passed, would trample upon my rights and millions of others freedom rights for freedom of religion, speech, and "rights of conscience" a.k.a. 'freedom of association' to live and bring up our children in the way that we see fit.

There is a huge difference between promoting tolerance and compassion for others who are different from you and outright total acceptance for what they do.

A 'hate crimes' law targeted to give SPECIAL AND ELEVATED rights to any group is dangerous for all the reasons have already been shared in this blog post. Please go to the article links for even more important information.

I will say this. When that case about the man who viciously killed a transvestite when he was deceived into believing he was a woman became public, it absolutely sickened me. But so did the killings of Jesse Dirkhising and Jeffrey Curley at the hands of homosexual men. Should we have 'hate crimes' laws for these boys too?

No. Existing laws should be strengthened (like the passing of Jessica's Law) for first time child predators. The same could be done in the case of the transvestite. Change the "gay panic" defense excuse. The man may have been rightfully angry because he had been deceived, but that was no excuse to kill another human being.

Back to movie.

Another example of similarity between the movie and what is happening today is that the Bible has been banned by the O.N.E. (One Nation Earth) organization in the movie. Isn't that something that the ACLU and the Human Rights Org. endlessly and continuously strive for? After all, they are trying to get rid of any acknowledgement of God in the public square! And they are doing it through the liberal judicial system as we speak!

Elsewhere, look at this little gem of an excuse to Ban the Bible from a University in Scotland!

The Ten Commandments case in Alabama already had a huge negative impact on the future of our Judeo-Christian freedom of speech!

Another example. In the movie when the "ONE" (One Nation Earth) force is the law of the land, Christians are fugitives to be captured and they can't buy, sell, or work. They live underground for fear of being found out that they don't have "the mark." In the movie, this "mark" is used to symbolize allegiance to the anti-Christ and O.N.E. rule of the government.

Today, look at how Christians are being targeted by groups (like the ACLU) who continually spout for "tolerance" and "equality" and create frivolous lawsuits under the guise of fighting bigotry and based on trumped up "civil rights"views. The only groups that are still allowed to be bashed, silenced, and continually ridiculed by the liberal elite are Christians ones. If we don't stand our ground against groups like the ACLU, we will not be able to enjoy our own freedom of religion, freedom of expression or freedom of speech! We are being called homophobes, bigots and haters because we follow God's moral values and not the relativistic immorality being shoved into our consciences by unredeemed men!

Another example. In the movie, Christians are falsely accused for blowing up a schoolbus and are labeled as terrorists!! (We discover later in the movie that it was the O.N.E .force that actually did it just to have "evidence" against the falsely accused Christian "hater", Helen Hannah who was the defendant in the fake and scripted trial).

And, haven't you heard of accusations against Christians who have often been unfairly compared to the Islamic terrorists from 9/11?

And, remember when some liberals spouted out the idea that the anthrax attacks were done by someone from the "religious right fanatics"?

It was interesting to note the bulletin board on the wall where Helen Hannah's jail cage was located. The board contained many different announcements and flyers advertising theatre, school activities, community groups etc. but what was eerie to me was that they ALL had the O.N.E. designation clearly visible on the cover. In other words, One Nation Earth ruled over everything. No one was allowed to dissent or have a free thought. Scary.

During the trial, Helen's lawyer was supposed to appear to be participating in a genuine exchange with witnesses, but he was also under the threat of losing his life if he brought forth any real evidence that would show her innocence. Talk about stacking the deck. In one exchange, Helen's half-brother testified. He had been wheelchair bound in the previous movie, but when he agreed to take the mark of Lucifer (Macaluso), he was then able to walk. In fact, he demonstrated additional great powers. Of course the prosecution hyped up all of this as a good thing. But, the key point in all of this was the price he had paid for being 'healed' physically by this false messiah.

Helen's lawyer approached it a bit differently. He asked the brother if he had loved his sister before he was healed. He said yes. Then, Mitch asked him if he still loves his sister. He said no! So, what was the price he had paid for siding with this false messiah? He lost the eternal salvation of his soul and, a direct proof of his doomed fate was the love he had lost for his sister. What looked like a good thing (his physical healing in this case) was actually a deception intent on causing him to lose his own soul, the love for his sister, and ultimately, the love for God and the eternal life he would have had in his kingdom. Chilling! Absolutely chilling!

Helen's character was real. she struggled with fears and emotions like anyone else. She was on trial for her life and the deck of cards was stacked against her. She would often be heard praying, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4).

This movie is one that I could watch over and over again and get something new out of it. Jesus did warn us, "in this world you will have trouble." This film definitely shows the cost of being a disciple for Jesus Christ. It asks us, what's easier? Following the rest of the world or standing for God?

In one courtroom scene, the prosecutor illegally claimed that a new law allowed her to bring the defendant, Helen Hannah to the stand. She then proceeded to paint Helen in the harshest light, accusing her of crimes against humanity. In one analogy, she mentioned that since Macalucifer came along, everyone was rowing their boat in the same direction. But Helen Hannah and her fellow "haters" wanted to rock that boat and spill everyone out of their current happy and contented utopia.

When Helen's lawyer Mitch cross examined her, he brought up an argument about absolute truth. He asked Helen, "What is 2 +2?" She answered, "4". He then asked her, "What if everyone REALLY wanted it to equal 5? Would that make it so?" She answered, "no". Mitch said, "So, there is such a thing as absolute truth!"

There is so much more that I could share about this movie. I would encourage everyone who reads this to see it.

If you haven't seen the movie you should. It is excellent! The ending is absolutely breathtaking! You can order it from Cloud Ten Pictures.

I will end with a few additional thoughts.

It was interesting to note that the witnesses were to place their hand over a O.N.E. document rather than the Bible (of course since it had been banned years ago).

Helen refused to do so when she was called to the stand but did say she would tell the truth. The witnesses with the "mark" did place their hand on the document without a second thought.

Later in the movie, it was quite poignant to hear one of the O.N.E. security agents utter the words "Glory to man" just after he had killed an intruder (perceived as one of the 'haters') who had broken into Mitch's home and was holding a knife at his throat. The intruder was actually a man who was sent by the prosecutor to scare Mitch into "toeing the line" in the courtroom.

Yes. The 'glory to man' that day was murder and death.

What if God conquered death for us and the requirement is repentance and simple belief?

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Just who is this Man with no greater love?

John 3:1-21 (NKJV)

3There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"

10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man *who is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

15 that whoever believes in Him should *not perish but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."