The war on homeschooling has scored a major victory.

   Homeschoolers must be taught by a state credentialed teacher according to the liberal judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

   "Parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children," says Justice Walter Crockey, one of three judges who agreed to end homeschooling. The other two were P.J. Klein and J. Kitching.

   He further said, "parents who fail to (comply with state law) may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program."

   This is a blatant attack on Christians raising their kids according to their own conscience. It's an affront to a free society respecting parental authority. Who do the children belong to—the parents or the state? It's basically secular humanism being imposed on people of faith.

   In this case, the homeschooling parents were Christians and what was being taught in the public school was in conflict with their values and faith.

   But the Court trashed their religious beliefs. The Court said their "sincerely held religious beliefs 'are' not the quality of evidence that permits us to say that application of California compulsory public education law to them violates their First Amendment rights."

   The Court concluded, "such sparse representations are too easily asserted by any parent who wishes to homeschool his or her child."

   Who is for it? The liberal elite who feel only those with credentials are qualified to teach (I have secondary education credentials and know many teachers who are not qualified even with a credential!).

   It's the bloated state education monopoly system that wants to control all kids.

   It's the teachers' unions that are opposed to competition. A.J. Duffy, President of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) said, "What is best for a child is to be taught by a credentialed teacher."

   Nonsense . What's best for the child is to allow the parents to control their child's future. Not an indoctrination from the liberal educational establishment.

   This ruling will be appealed to the California Supreme Court (yes, the ones about ready to rule on marriage).

   As Christians we need to:

• Pray for protection of homeschooled kids and their parents.



• Pray the appeal will be successful, overruling this decision.



• Vote these judges out of office.



• Be careful on which judges we vote for in the upcoming June Primary. We will be endorsing the candidates.

   For a PDF of the entire ruling, click here.

   Readers reacted strongly to Dr. James Dobson's statement that he would not support John McCain for president.

   If you didn't hear Dr. Dobson's letter, click here to hear it on The Laura Inagraham Show.

   Dr. Dobson, joined by other Evangelicals and political conservatives, has great reservations about Senator McCain's character and political policies.

   Right now, most all of the conservative Republican politicians and much of the conservative media have reluctantly supported McCain because the chance of Obama or Clinton would be so devastating to our foreign policy, economy and freedoms. Towering over all issues will be the Supreme Court nominations.

   On the Court, will McCain become the great compromiser/negotiator he is known for? Or do what he is promising and nominate strict constitutional constructionists, not judicial activists.

   Here are some of the responses:

1. The Supreme Court is at stake! Once the left takes over the Presidency, you can be sure that more than abortion will be at stake. We cannot let this happen.



2. National security. One cannot 'make nice' with radical Islamists.



3. Taxes. Raising taxes will destroy the economy completely.



4. Illegal immigration. This economic and security problem has to be solved.



5. Religious Freedom. Look what the Liberal Democrats have done to California! Look what they have (not) done for 8 years in Washington.

   So, what do you think?
   

1. Email me at craig@electionforum.org.



2. I'll be sending out a reader poll shortly.

   Last week, Obama shocked many Christians with his view on scripture:

   "I think that it is a legal right that they [homosexuals] should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13), which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans."

   As you know, the Sermon on the Mount covers many topics. Probably Obama was referring to Matthew 7:12 "So in everything do to others what you would have them to do you."

   But it also covers our witness to a fallen world, loving our enemies and much more. But there is no mention of same-sex unions.

   It's disturbing that Obama calls a verse in Romans obscure.

   I assume he means Romans 1:24-27, which is not obscure, but central to Romans 1 as it starts the book of Romans.

   It says "They [the unrighteous] exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversions." (Romans 1:24-27, NIV)

    This is clear. It's also compatible with many other verses in Scripture.

   Christians view the word of God as inerrant. You do not pick and choose your verses to fit your own beliefs or comfort.

   Isolating a vague notion of Scripture to justify a position contrary to the whole council of God is not using the word of God rightly.

   It's clear the word of God says that marriage is between a man and a woman. And that homosexuality, like all sins, requires repentance.

   Obama abused the Bible by justifying his prohomosexual agenda based on Scripture. He is twisting Scripture to justify sin and discounting passages that oppose his position.

   Incidentally, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13) also warns "watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

   What do you think? Please email me at craig@electionforum.org.

   Mike Huckabee lost Wisconsin, Texas and Ohio—states he was hoping could shock the nation and turn the Republican Party around.

   In the next issue I'll discuss the Christian bashing attacks on his candidacy and the amazing distortion of his record.

   As a farewell tribute to Mike Huckabee, I'd like to present some of the humor he displayed on the campaign trail. Click here to see a comedic tribute to Mike.

   I'd also like to make mention of Ron Paul's recent big win.

   Ron Paul suspended his race and concentrated on a huge challenge to his congressional seat. I'm glad to say he won by a landslide.

   In a past issue, I've warned about the liberals in Congress moving to re-impose the unfair "Fairness Doctrine."

   President Reagan stopped the Fairness Doctrine, which gave birth to talk radio and removed a threat to Christian radio.

   The Doctrine says if someone gives an opinion on the air, an opposing opinion must then be provided.

   Of course, this is impossible. It's an attack on free speech and property rights. And it's meant to silence conservatives on talk radio and Christian programming.

   Obama recently said on the campaign trail, "I hope Congress gets to work right away on reestablishing the Fairness Doctrine with the FCC. There needs to be balance on the airwaves again on radio as well as TV and cable."

   Clinton has also supported this change in law.

   I guess no one mentioned the liberal bias of ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and MSNBC. And let's not forget about Air America and NPR and the ABC, NBC, CBS radio news departments. Oh, and did I forget the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Boston Globeand most newspapers? Not to mention the liberal blogs!

   Said McCain, "The day that members of Congress will send their kids to the public schools in Washington, DC, is the day I'll know we've fixed education in America. Why won't people like Hillary Clinton send her child to the public schools in Washington, DC?"

   A couple issues back, I showed Hillary Clinton getting the support of Rev. Calvin Butts III, a prominent black pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.

   Little did I know that neither of them mentioned an earmark: Clinton secured more than $1.5 million in federal funding for Rev. Butts' nonprofit organizations.

   On Tuesday, seven elected justices of the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments about continuing marriage between a man or a women or officially allowing homosexual marriage.

   In 2000, voters approved by 61%–38% an initiative that said "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

   Across California, Equality California—a homosexual lobbying group—held "viewing parties" from North to South to watch the oral arguments.

    Unfortunately, the pastors and church were silent with few prayer groups.

   The judge had already seen papers and over 50 briefs from outside organizations.

    Those supporting abolishing traditional marriage were 20 cities and counties, the NAACP, Levi Strauss and liberal religious groups.

   Opposed were evangelical churches and organizations, the California Catholic Conference and the Mormon Church.

   The court now has 90 days to make a ruling.

   It's hard to say what the court will do. If they uphold the will of the people, they will support marriage.

   If they are to be judicial activists, they will allow homosexual marriage.

   I listened to the hearings and wasn't too thrilled.

   Two of the lawyers for upholding traditional marriage were very weak—from Governor Schwarzenegger's office and Attorney General Brown's office. They both used the weak defense that same-sex couples already have equal rights under the domestic-partner laws.

   When the other attorney sponsored by conservative groups spoke, he was aggressively questioned by the judges.

   Here is how it seemed to go:

• Justice George—hostile



• Justice Moreno—hostile



• Justice Kennard—hostile



• Justice Chin—hostile



• Justice Baxter—seemed positive

   I'm concerned about the justices. In the last election we recommended no on them, but they were elected.

   This case is an example of why it's so important for us to elect strict constructionists, not judicial activists.

   Any why the pastors and church need to take a stand.

   Please pray for the judge's decision.

   If you'd like to hear the oral arguments, click here then click "California Supreme Court: Same Sex Marriage.

   If you'd like to see the Alliance Defense Fund review of the case, click here.

   "The fact that the market is not doing what we wish it would do is no reason to automatically assume that the government would do better.

   "There are too many examples of government interventions that made things worse, the Great Depression of the 1930s being the most tragic.

   "Those on the Left love to believe that the stock market crash of 1929 showed the failure of the free market and that the New Deal interventions in the 1930s saved the day.

   "But the stock market crash of 1987 was just as big and Ronald Reagan resisted loud calls for him to intervene. The result was not another Great Depression but the beginning of a decades-long period of prosperity.

   "Before Presidents Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt came along, there was no expectation that the federal government would intervene when the stock market crashed or when there was a downturn in the economy.

   Previous stock market crashes and previous downturns in the economy worked themselves out faster and less painfully than the Great Depression of the 1930s, just as the 1987 crisis did.

   "The track record of government intervention is far less impressive than its rhetoric."

   ---Thomas Sowell, economist, author

   The State of California is again in a state of economic crisis.

   The Liberal legislature and the governor have overspent. Despite massive revenue increases, the state has spent 36% higher than when the governor was elected.

   We have a $16 billion deficit!

   Now, Democratic leader Perata says we must, "Raise taxes. That clear enough? Raise taxes."

   Remember, the average Californian already pays 34% of their income for local, state and federal taxes. Those wealthier, a much higher percentage.

   The governor has suggested cutting 10% from every department—which isn't fair, isn't enough and politically won't happen.

   What is needed is cutting of fat and wasteful programs.

   The California Performance Review identified $33 billion in budget savings, calling for the elimination of 117 of the state's 229 boards and commissions. Plus, streamlining government, selling unneeded state property and more.

   The waste is incredible.

   There should be no tax increase. Only cuts...and that will take political courage.

   Unknown to most Californians is the assault of businesses, jobs and freedom here in California.

   With sneaky, little-publicized legislature or bureaucratic regulations, businesses are leaving California—or being destroyed.

   For example, the governor signed a law that will put two California raw milk producers out of business, costing jobs and stopping some 40,000 Californian raw milk drinkers from buying the product.

   The devious bill requires raw milk to have the same bacteria limits as pasteurized milk, a technical and economic impossibility.

   Even the food safety authorities agree that raw milk testing has done a superior job in protecting raw milk drinkers.

   A combination of public health officials, pasteurized milk competition and liberal politicians has long been trying to stop people's choice of drinking raw milk.

   To make the situation worse, the two raw milk producers were never notified this law was being considered.

   They have taken this issue to court.

   Ralph Drollinger is chaplin of a weekly Bible study group at the State Capital in Sacramento. He has stirred up controversy by accusing another Bible study group as being "disgusting to our Lord."

   Many legislators and the press took offense.

   Liberal Democrat Senator Darrell Steinberg who will serve as president protem next year said:

   "I think it's important that those of us who find those comments offensive speak loud and clear about it...there's just no place in civil society for intolerance of someone's different beliefs. It's the beauty of this country, that people have the right to practice their own faith."

   Here is part of what Ralph said that stirred up anger:

   "In John 14:6 Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.' Herein Jesus proclaims that salvation going to heaven in the vernacular comes only through trusting (having faith) in Him.

   "Contrary to what former California lawmaker Tim Leslie said in this morning's Sacramento Bee article, there are not 'many paths' to Christ. In Jesus' preaching ministry His message was not 'many paths.' He preached a simple message: 'Repent and believe' (Mark 1:15). Repent and believe in whom?

   "The Apostle Peter answers this question in Acts 4:12, 'And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name [Jesus] under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.'

   "We should not be surprised by the world's duplicity, i.e., the world worships tolerance (subjectivism), yet lashes out against Christ and His followers as the only acceptable target of intolerance. This is nothing new.

   "In the first century, the Apostle Paul wrote, 'For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:22–24).

   "Paul also writes in Romans 1:16, 'For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

   When I taught the singles group at my church, the reality of the struggles of single mothers and their kids became obvious.

   As I studied research reports and books about single families it was clear many of the boys and girls had behavior and psychological problems impacting school, relations and jobs.

   God's design is for a mother and father.

   While not always possible, this produces healthy kids.

   Fathers complement mothers in a way mothers alone—or fathers alone—never could.

   According to a research review publicized in Acta Paediatricia, researchers looked at 24 papers published between 1987–2007, fathers were a significant positive influence.

   For a great review of the impact of why children need both a father's love and a mother's love, click here.

   First Baptist Church of Cathedral City painted the word "Eternity" on the roof.

    Some complained to the city causing them to demand the word be removed.

   Pray the city respects religious free speech and the First Amendment rights.

   A San Jose City College teacher was asked if one is born a homosexual or if it is learned and developed by other influences.

   She gave a point of view contrary to the homosexual agenda—that it's caused, not at birth but through other circumstances.

   The schools are so radicalized, opposing opinions are prohibited and a chilling atmosphere of fear encompasses the campus. No one dare think differently than the politically correct thought-police.

   So much for academic freedom and free exchange of ideas.

   In Massachusetts, a Catholic orphanage closed its doors when it was forced to allow homosexuals to adopt its kids.

   Now Seton, a Catholic hospital in San Francisco, has refused to allow its facilities to be used for breast implant surgery on a man who had a sex change operation.

   Under threat of a law suit, the hospital has reversed itself and will do the elective surgery.

   In past issues, I've reported on Poway High School student Chase Harper suing over not being able to wear a t-shirt opposing homosexuality and including a Bible verse.

   The court ruled in favor of the school district because statements about sexual orientation, if not positive, can be restricted by the school.

   In other words, Christian free speech, thought and expression in school is dead—unless its prohomosexual.

   Is this not viewpoint discrimination?

   What do you think? Email me at craig@electionforum.org.

   I received the following letter from a Mormon reader...

   "Regarding religious persecution, I still find it hard to believe that a modern country with a strong Christian foundation like the United States still produces bigots (even among Evangelicals) toward certain faiths, particularly toward such compassionate and charitable Christian religions as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

   "How can a person or group profess to be Christian when, rather than teach quality principles, they go out of their way to demean or teach against a faith that exemplifies and teaches good-quality principles? I'd like to think that the dark ages have come and gone."

     —David

    Any thoughts? I'll be presenting an article on Mormons and evangelicals shortly. Write me with your thoughts at craig@electionforum.org.

   Some pro-life students were protesting Bill (and Hillary) Clinton's pro-abortion position.

   Angrily, President Clinton said:

   "You want to criminalize women and their doctors and we disagree. I reduced abortion. Tell the truth, tell the truth. If you were really pro-life, if you were really pro-life, you would want to put every doctor and every mother as an accessory to murder in prison. And you won't say you want do that because you know that because you know that you wouldn't have a lick of political support."

   To see the short video, click here.

   "There are many ways in which pro-choicers are [moral] relativists. Most obvious, they do not favor a choice in the case of the father of the child in the womb or even the child in the womb itself; rather, they believe that the choice goes only to one party—the mother alone.

   "The very issue of the 'choice' is completely relativistic—as is the question of its humanity. Who decides whether the life in the womb is a baby or merely a blob of tissue that can be discarded? Who decides if it is a life? The pro-choicer affirms that this decision is not based on medical science, theology or anything but the mother alone...

    "Pro-choice feminists believe that the morally decisive factor in an abortion decision is the mere right to make the decision, a right restricted, but varying in (acceptable) outcome, for each and every prospective mother-to-be.

   "The father cannot be the moral arbiter in this decision because he is not endowed with the legal right of equation, trumping all other rights, including a right to life for the unborn child.

   "Does this make sense? Does it seem fair? The result is over 40 million aborted babies in America alone since 1973."

   —Paul Kengor

   The National Academy of Sciences and the University of California Irvine, issued a report about a month ago that affirms evolution of the foundation of modern biology. It said creation should not be taught in schools

   According to the report "scientists no longer question the basic facts of evolution as a process."

   Guess the professors never read, spoke or asked Creation Scientists and Intelligent Design Scientists what they thought.

   Last issue, I discussed why Black pastors were supporting candidates that are opposed to their own values. For example, abortion, marriage, Fairness Doctrine and more.

   One Black reader had an interesting perspective:

   "Have you ever heard of the game 'Bid Whist?' Most Black Americans have. In this card game, there's a grave penalty if a player "reneges." This means that if they fail to play a card of the same suit that's previously played, their whole team forfeits 3 books.

   "Our Black pastors have "reneged" big time! When it was time to speak up for righteousness and preach concerning the Biblical view of abortion, homosexuality, evolution, same-sex marriages and other violations of basic Scriptural mandates, they 'reneged,' and now a liberal agenda has crept in unaware and sown confusion and error in the church!

   "The whole church has forfeited a position of power and respectability concerning laws that have passed in the Assembly and the Senate, and we are being force-fed legislation that will ultimately kill us! But, I believe it's not too late for God's grace to save us.

   "May we repent of the error of our ways and ban together to elect officials who are not afraid to preach the truth!"

   —Gwen Patrick
    Candidate, 52nd Assembly District

   What do you think? I'd like your thoughts and ideas as we address this issue in the near future. Email me at craig@electionforum.org

    Incidentally, Gwen is running for Assembly. Let me know if you would like to help her financially or with volunteer work.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Pray for all of our leaders—for discernment and wisdom in their decisions; for courage in times of crisis; and, for repentance where their behavior so requires. Also pray for the exaltation of God in our land, whose ways and Word have been ignored and despised.

2. Don't forget we've changed our web address to ElectionForum.org. Add us to your bookmarks by clicking here to go to our site, then press CTRL+D.

3. Click here to share this Reality Alert issue with interested friends and church members.

4. Pray for our President, Congress, the Supreme Court and lower-level judges. Pray for wisdom and guidance at all government levels.

    That's it for this week's issue of Reality Alert. I hope that you'll keep an eye open for my next issue, as I have so much more exciting information to share with you.

Craig A. Huey

Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing.
In everything, give thanks for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(I Thessalonians 5:16-8)