Clenard Childress
A crisis of conscience at Church of God in Christ
Bishop Charles Blake gives the nod to health care plan
By Clenard Childress
During the Democrat National Convention in Denver in 2008, I attended an Ecumenical Religious service where I heard Bishop Blake give one of the most stirring messages on the decimation of the Black Community by Abortion I have ever heard. It was riveting! Many at first did not know how to respond to a message that was completely antithetical to the Democrats' platform, and certainly that of their nominee, Barack Obama. There was sporadic applause, and occasionally, a delegate would actually dare to stand to their feet. Truth was being proclaimed in the most duplicitous of places, the Democrat National Convention!
Just as I thought about how these seeds of truth would resonate deeply in the hearts of the attendees, Bishop Blake released the 'fowls of the air' himself by amending his insightful message with the age-old pro-abortion cliché:
To add insult to injury, Bishop Blake recently gave his support for the Health Care Bill, except for the portion that allows abortions to be paid for by your tax dollars. I have a question for you Bishop Blake: How can you support any bill, that in it, by your own admission, has a provision you recognize is against your conscience because it advocates the killing of babies in the womb? Shouldn't the proper response be: Until abortion advocacy, or reproductive health benefits are taken out of the bill, it cannot, nor ever will have your support? It is like saying to your friends, "I agree with, and support you, except for the part about you killing my family. Other than that, I support you whole heartedly!" How would your family feel about you supporting or associating with anyone who would be conspiring to kill your own children?
Having visited COGIC churches and having admired Bishop G. E. Patterson for years, I have always noted the large amount of Seniors in the COGIC Congregations. These are those who have laid the foundation and set the standard, and in these troublous times, are a refection of wisdom and counsel we should cherish. How can any affirmation at all be given to legislation that is a calloused perversion of your values and charge given you to protect the most vulnerable of your society? I would ask, Bishop Blake, why do you support a bill that will be a detriment to such a major portion of the COGIC Congregation. Did you read the entire bill, Bishop?
President Obama has already said in effect, "We spend too much money on Seniors" mirroring his party's erroneous ideology and perception within the Health Care Bill. As Shepherds, our responsibility is to protect and care for the Sheep. The bill you just sanctioned, Bishop Blake, would ration care, taking it from the Sheep and penalizing doctors who would give extended care to Seniors. The Democrats, Bishop Blake, who you vowed your allegiance and fealty to, voted down an amendment that would not penalize doctors for extended care to Seniors and would prevent the rationing of heath care to our aged warriors. Bishop Blake, do you support that? Can we, as Shepherds, stay silent, and in the worse case scenario, support any legislation or administration who would deny our Seniors and Veterans the best care we can give since they gave their best for us? Isn't COGIC, and all of America, benefiting from their labors? I would ask, Bishop, that you read the entire bill and rethink your support for the sake of the office you hold, the message you send to America, and the generations coming after us.
"There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right." — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
© Clenard Childress
October 15, 2009
During the Democrat National Convention in Denver in 2008, I attended an Ecumenical Religious service where I heard Bishop Blake give one of the most stirring messages on the decimation of the Black Community by Abortion I have ever heard. It was riveting! Many at first did not know how to respond to a message that was completely antithetical to the Democrats' platform, and certainly that of their nominee, Barack Obama. There was sporadic applause, and occasionally, a delegate would actually dare to stand to their feet. Truth was being proclaimed in the most duplicitous of places, the Democrat National Convention!
Just as I thought about how these seeds of truth would resonate deeply in the hearts of the attendees, Bishop Blake released the 'fowls of the air' himself by amending his insightful message with the age-old pro-abortion cliché:
-
"I could never vote for a Republican because they don't do anything for the child once they are here."
To add insult to injury, Bishop Blake recently gave his support for the Health Care Bill, except for the portion that allows abortions to be paid for by your tax dollars. I have a question for you Bishop Blake: How can you support any bill, that in it, by your own admission, has a provision you recognize is against your conscience because it advocates the killing of babies in the womb? Shouldn't the proper response be: Until abortion advocacy, or reproductive health benefits are taken out of the bill, it cannot, nor ever will have your support? It is like saying to your friends, "I agree with, and support you, except for the part about you killing my family. Other than that, I support you whole heartedly!" How would your family feel about you supporting or associating with anyone who would be conspiring to kill your own children?
Having visited COGIC churches and having admired Bishop G. E. Patterson for years, I have always noted the large amount of Seniors in the COGIC Congregations. These are those who have laid the foundation and set the standard, and in these troublous times, are a refection of wisdom and counsel we should cherish. How can any affirmation at all be given to legislation that is a calloused perversion of your values and charge given you to protect the most vulnerable of your society? I would ask, Bishop Blake, why do you support a bill that will be a detriment to such a major portion of the COGIC Congregation. Did you read the entire bill, Bishop?
President Obama has already said in effect, "We spend too much money on Seniors" mirroring his party's erroneous ideology and perception within the Health Care Bill. As Shepherds, our responsibility is to protect and care for the Sheep. The bill you just sanctioned, Bishop Blake, would ration care, taking it from the Sheep and penalizing doctors who would give extended care to Seniors. The Democrats, Bishop Blake, who you vowed your allegiance and fealty to, voted down an amendment that would not penalize doctors for extended care to Seniors and would prevent the rationing of heath care to our aged warriors. Bishop Blake, do you support that? Can we, as Shepherds, stay silent, and in the worse case scenario, support any legislation or administration who would deny our Seniors and Veterans the best care we can give since they gave their best for us? Isn't COGIC, and all of America, benefiting from their labors? I would ask, Bishop, that you read the entire bill and rethink your support for the sake of the office you hold, the message you send to America, and the generations coming after us.
"There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right." — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
© Clenard Childress
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