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The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- The country's mess is our fault (170)
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- Public health care is a Christian option (79)
- Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (73)
- Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (52)
- The haves should help the have-nots (31)
- Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
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- Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (18)
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Our country's moral foundation is eroding
I must agree with Bryan Stamos in regards to his letter in the Lodi News-Sentinel on Jan. 19.
Government officials were elected to serve the people, not themselves. Government is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people. Not so anymore. Too many of these elected officials are in the pockets of special interests and lobbyists.
Our own oil companies are knowingly bleeding the American public dry; American hurting American. We have too many foreigners in this country doing their best to help with our downfall. Rallies against America, burning our flag and etc. should be against the law. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is killing us and we should get out of it.
This country was established as a Christian nation when the pilgrims first arrived. There was no Taoism, Islam or anything else. It was established on a strong religious background and firm solid morals. Education and officialdom practiced Christianity in their decisions and work. There was no separation of state and religion.
We are slowly chipping away at that moral foundation. It is almost gone and the religious cornerstone is being bombarded by atheists and other non-Christians constantly. As far as I am concerned, if people hate America and its principles so much, leave the country.
We have immigration laws on the books. Why are they not being followed? I could go on and on, but if we do not get back to our religious foundation, uplift God in our country and rebuild our moral base, we are going to go right down the tubes.
Sonia Glick
Lockeford

Reader Feedback
Lodian wrote on Feb 2, 2008 8:27 AM:
real facts wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:17 PM:
Evil is easily recognized. We just have to have the guts to call it by its proper name").
thats the problem. certain people have an aversion to being challenged as to whether they pass muster. "be more tolerant", "be more loving", etc.
throw religion out, and the premise is still the same in every corner of the world. if SOMEONE doesn't say anything about people that reject authority in any culture, if left unchecked, that culture erodes. it's parallel in religion and life.
there are measures for authority within each, and a "voice" in both. "
real facts wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:06 PM:
you beat me to it brian.
"if" there is a God, this fact is one of those things that would differentiate between what IS right/wrong. "if" there is a God, that "function" would take place in every human heart. taking a detour from that.... is called rebellion "
real facts wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:01 PM:
" Christians love the person, but hates the sin that he/she, the sinner commits").
well, not "all".
the deflection "committee" on the other blog where right on, about one thing. those people over at westboro baptist church DO hate people. those people ARE morons.
the proper stance IS to hate the sin, not the sinner. were ALL sinners
to further prove that i don't hate PEOPLE...i have been dealing with a person on these blogs for over a year that is gay. i have never ONCE attacked thier homosexuality. i deal with thier dishonesty and motive(s) "
Brian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 6:14 PM:
Unfortunately it does nothing to unify the cultures here. "
Brian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 6:07 PM:
" Rather than working to diveresify and seperate people by race and culture in America, why don't these secularist liberals push to Unify, blend and envision all people in this country as equal Americans regardless of their race and cultural background. The true racist are those who keep making an issue of individual cultures and one's race rather than pushing for a United America as "Americans" regardless of one's race and historical culture.
Bry, The liberals just can't understand how we can meld all cultures together without eliminating them. "
Bry wrote on Jan 31, 2008 5:41 PM:
"
Bry wrote on Jan 31, 2008 5:31 PM:
The concept of separation of church and state in our Constitution is not there to protect Americans from religion. It is there to protect Americans from governmental control of religion. "
Brian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 4:12 PM:
girard74 wrote on Jan 31, 2008 1:47 PM:
Now, does anyone really believe that our country's moral foundation ISN'T eroding?!?
All of these resources to 'escort' a self-indulgent, petty, silly, worthless idiot to the hospital?!? THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!! "
Lodian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:55 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:53 AM:
Brian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:20 AM:
We should give Mrs. Glick the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure she meant that Christianity has always been the cornerstone of America. In other words, give her a break. She does a good job in exposing what secular progressives
are doing to this country. "
nylodian wrote on Jan 31, 2008 6:58 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:27 AM:
real facts wrote on Jan 29, 2008 10:12 PM:
your comment indicates otherwise.
"if" you were here to to discuss in a civil manner like you keep claiming, your comment wouldn't have come in the form of a swipe. it wasn't an opposing view, it was a swipe
now you can either prove why you keep claiming you are in here for, by offering an opposing viewpoint, OR.......
i gave an opposing view to nylodian's "
Lodian wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:58 PM:
real facts wrote on Jan 29, 2008 1:36 PM:
Gods authority IS infinite, and each one of us will be measured by it someday. God will always uphold his standards, despite mens attempt to change the "definition" of it.
as far as "erosion" goes, people are responsible, should they be on the side of attempting TO erode it.
their is free will. and because their is, God will allow the "effects" of those attempts to be realized. morality erosion "
real facts wrote on Jan 29, 2008 1:27 PM:
" I agree that morality is eroding in this country. Churches, not the government is responsible for instilling morality. However, with various churches' credibility in jeopardy because of sex scandals, pediphile abuse, and money scandals, I can see why people are losing faith")
i say something everytime when people make false statements about Gods authority, i also need to be fair and high five someone when they make a truthful statement.
your statement is 100% correct.
over time people are self responsible in this matter. one can't excuse themselves from Gods authority based on hypocrisy. "
real facts wrote on Jan 29, 2008 1:19 PM:
(or people that claim they are, but "aren't") are to blame as well, for the erosion of Gods design of morality.
case in point, when people refuse to call sin, sin.... just because of thier liberal mindset. especially damaging to Gods authority, is when people "claim" they are Christians, but give morality a free pass, giving the impression to others that there is NO moral compass.
God has defined what morality is. if we attempt to re-direct that definition into something else, is why we are in the mess. "
Lodian wrote on Jan 29, 2008 12:33 PM:
scout wrote on Jan 29, 2008 9:51 AM:
nylodian wrote on Jan 29, 2008 5:45 AM:
nylodian wrote on Jan 29, 2008 5:38 AM:
real facts wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:48 PM:
Not to mention self-professed Christains who treat others with open hostility. Psychology teaches us that anger is a manifestation of fear. I wonder what these people are afraid of"?)
if you have trouble with Christians being willing to defend Gods authority over the issues of morality, thats your insecurity. "we" fear nothing, and THATS why "we" defend it so. it's your battle cry to try and silence that voice in society.
really, it's "self professed Christians" that seek to erode Gods authority. you had that backwards
you confused anger with resolve as well "
Lodian wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:31 PM:
nylodian wrote on Jan 27, 2008 1:01 PM:
voter wrote on Jan 26, 2008 1:15 PM:
Boomer wrote on Jan 26, 2008 12:27 PM:
Not very impressive. "
nylodian wrote on Jan 26, 2008 8:04 AM:
Brian wrote on Jan 26, 2008 6:56 AM:
And for Obama, well, you'll see him back to regularly attending that radical church where Farakhan has been known to advance an anti-American theme. "
Brian wrote on Jan 26, 2008 6:51 AM:
If you feel comfortable with the Hildabeast or Obama then vote for them.
Those 527's that the Dems used in 2004 didn't get them into the White House.
They won't work this time either. "
boomer wrote on Jan 26, 2008 6:02 AM:
Bry wrote on Jan 26, 2008 2:57 AM:
Written by - Theodore Roosevelt 1907
The last three generations of Americans simply have not been told the truth about American history. Active humanists and the liberal media have for years undertaken a concentrated effort to misinform the American public regarding America's Judeo Christian heritage. Most people don't realize that the First Amendment says nothing about the "separation of church and state." It simply states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
The concept of separation of church and state in our Constitution is not there to protect Americans from religion. It is there to protect Americans from the government. But in their desire to promote their secular humanist philosophy using the power of government, most liberals today work to distort and alter America's true heritage and remove religion from its history. Their desire is to eradicate every vestige of religion from our public institutions.
Once again, great letter Sonia Glick! Thanks for standing up and speaking the truth inspite of the the anti-American secular liberals who despise and deny American heritage as 'One Nation under God'. The Pledge of Alligience as 'One Nation under God' was willfully adopted by Congress in 1954.
These liberals just can't explain and avoid the subject as to why the America's money states "In God We Trust"! “In God We Trust” has been on America’s money since 1864, when it was first added to the two-cent coin during the Civil War. Congress mandated in 1955 that it appear on all coins and currency and made “In God We Trust” our national motto in 1956.
Why was it mandated in a court of law that witnesses swear to tell the truth by placing one's hand on the Holy Bible. Why did government officals take their oaths of office by swearing on the Holy Bible and stating, "So help me God". Just because these things have changed in some various courts and states does not mean it was not American mainstream heritage. Changes have occurred to keep God and the Holy Bible out of courts and swearing in ceremonies. This is due to secular liberals efforts to remove God from America. They relentlessly work to distort American history while lying about and denying America's Judeo Christian heritage.
Furthermore, rather than working to Unify, blend and invision all people as equal Americans, these liberals keep pushing for diversification and contantly making an issue out race while vilifying what they call "the evil white man" and labeling them racists, Nazi's and White Supremicists.
"
Patricia wrote on Jan 25, 2008 10:48 PM:
Brian wrote on Jan 25, 2008 10:35 PM:
is like a replay on the alphabet channel's news. Hillary says she doesn't care who votes for her but yet she loves those liberal endorsements. She and Bill will have their cannons ready with those 527's. Oh, but the Republicans will have their own form of firepower ready as they did when the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth exposed tne drone John Kerry for what he is.
It will be an interesting election. "
voter wrote on Jan 25, 2008 4:08 PM:
trista wrote on Jan 25, 2008 3:51 PM:
And speaking of gods, with the exception of Jihad or Muslim (I think) what difference does someone's personal idea of God or religion matter if it all carries the same message? (...which I beleive 'tolerance' to be one of them) "
nylodian wrote on Jan 25, 2008 3:49 PM:
danielh wrote on Jan 25, 2008 3:00 PM:
danielh wrote on Jan 25, 2008 2:58 PM:
danielh wrote on Jan 25, 2008 2:51 PM:
1) No state in the church.
2) No church in the state.
Separation of church and state means that the state does not go into church on Monday and dictate to the church what was disagreeable to the government. It also doesn't pass laws that govern worship. Example: Govt subsidies for education in church schools was deemed unconstitutional, because the school is too close to the church.
Separation also means that the church does not go into the government and tell them what they can and cannot do. Example is Islam, in just about every Islamic country that I can think of.
It is not wrong for a lawmaker to say that he has a Christian conscience, and is using it to guide him/her in making decisions.
It is also not wrong for a church to make recommendations to abide by the law. "
danielh wrote on Jan 25, 2008 2:45 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jan 25, 2008 8:04 AM:
danielh wrote on Jan 25, 2008 7:34 AM:
voter wrote on Jan 24, 2008 5:26 PM:
Jeff wrote on Jan 24, 2008 4:37 PM:
wtf, very nice work with the founding father quotes. very impressive, indeed. "
wtf wrote on Jan 24, 2008 12:42 PM:
"belief in the existence of a God on purely rational grounds without reliance on revelation or authority; especially the 17th and 18th century doctrine that God created the world and its natural laws; but takes no further part in its functioning."
Some quotes from America's Founding Fathers and documents on religion:
Adams, John
It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service (the formation of the American governments) had interviews with gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.
-John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America
As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion
-Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11, signed by President Adams and ratified unanimously by the Senate in 1797
Jefferson, Thomas
Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr
The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter.
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams
The clergy believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly: for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Benjamin Rush
History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose.
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Alexander von Humboldt
"Nothing can be more exactly and seriously true than what is there stated; that but a short time elapse after the death of the great reformer of the Jewish religion (Jesus), before his principles were departed from by those who professed to be his special servants, and perverted into an engine for enslaving mankind, and aggrandizing their oppressors in Church and State; that the purest system of morals ever before preached to man, has been adulterated and sophisticated by artificial constructions, into a mere contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves; that rational men not being able to swallow their impious heresies, in order to force them down their throats, they raise the hue and cry of infidelity, while themselves are the greatest obstacles to the advancement of the real doctrines of Jesus, and do in fact constitute the real Anti-Christ."
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Samuel Kercheval
Madison, James
Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise
-James Madison, Letter to William Bradford
During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution.
-James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, Section 7
What influence in fact have ecclesiastical establishments had on Civil Society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the Civil authority; in many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny: in no instance have they been seen as the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries.
- James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, Section 8
Mr. Madison said he apprehended the meaning of the words to be, that congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any manner contrary to their conscience.
-Remarks in Congress on Proposed Constitutional Amendments
Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion with all other religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other sects? That the same authority which can force a citizen to contribute three pence only of his property for the support of any one establishment, may force him to conform to any other establishment in all cases whatsoever?
- James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, Section 3
Because the Bill exceeds the rightful authority, to which Governments are limited by the essential distinction between Civil and Religious functions, and violates, in particular, the Article of the Constitution of the United States which declares, that Congress shall make no law respecting a Religious establishment. Because the Bill vests in the said incorporated Church, an authority to provide for the support of the poor (it) would be a precedent for giving to religious Societies as such, a legal agency in carrying into effect a public and civil duty.
-James Madison, Veto Message, February 21, 1811
I observe with particular pleasure the view you have taken of the immunity of Religion from civil jurisdiction, in every case where it does not trespass on private rights or the public peace. This has always been a favorite principle with me; and it was not with my approbation, that the deviation from it took place in Cong[ress], when they appointed Chaplains, to be paid from the Nat[ional] Treasury. It would have been a much better proof to their Constituents of their pious feeling if the members had contributed for the purpose, a pittance from their own pockets. As the precedent is not likely to be rescinded, the best that can now be done, may be to apply to the Const[itution] the maxim of the law, de minimis non curat.
-James Madison, letter to Edward Livingston
Washington, George
If I could conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.
-George Washington, letter to the United Baptist Churches of Virginia
The Constitution
U.S. Federal Constitution, Amendment 1
Freedom of Religion, Speech and Press; Rights of Assembly and Petition
Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
U.S. Constitution, Article VI, Section 3
no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
The Declaration of Independence
This document refers to God four times. Are they necessarily Christian references?
1. the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them
2. endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights
3. appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions
4. a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence
The first two are clearly deistic terms for God. No Christian would ever say Natures God. Such a term is clearly used by one whose idea of God comes from observation of nature rather than scripture. Similarly, deists are fond of the terms Creator or First Cause as ways to refer to God.
The third reference is unusual for deism but not completely inconsistent. For all we know, God may judge us.
The fourth reference, Providence, was a term George Washington was especially fond of using when he spoke of God. Judging from the views he expressed, Washingtons deism featured a God that did have a hand in worldly events.
Nowhere in the declaration is the Supreme Being addressed by the name Jesus or the Lord. These terms for God would have leant credibility to the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation. As it stands, the references to a generic Creator-god are quite consistent with deism and cant be assumed to be the Christian god.
America was founded by those fleeing religious persecution; therefore, this country welcomes those of ALL faiths whether Taoist, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or even the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Whatever one perceives God to be can be likened to the top of a mountain. There are many paths (religions) up the side of the mountain; but all reach the top (God). "
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:30 AM:
Can they explain why it was mandated in U.S. Courts of Law that a witness would have to swear with his/her right hand on the 'Holy Bible' to tell the truth
The great thing about Bry's insistence on this point is the way that it is completely, absolutely, not true.
Where such testimony is required, all courts in the United States allow witnesses to swear on the holy book of their choice. Jews swear on Torahs, Muslims swear on Korans and Christians swear on Bibles.
Bry, do you somehow suppose that telling these ridiculous falsehoods is improving your case or are you just trying to make yourself look foolish? "
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:26 AM:
Bry wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:10 AM:
Bry wrote on Jan 24, 2008 10:45 AM:
oshomme wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:57 AM:
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:39 AM:
Ms. Glick would do well to acquire even a basic understanding of our nation's history. "
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:37 AM:
danielh wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:58 AM:
In regards to illegal immigration, you may consider that the very same people, once again, have no intentions of securing the border. Additionally, NAFTA is their stepping stone for eventually destroying the US Constitution.
In regards to Christianity, the very same people, once again, consider God to be their enemy. They can realize temporary conquest. Rockefeller and Gorbachev actually imitated the Ark of the Covenant, which they in fact mentioned for comparison. They did this in one of the bread basket states (Illinois or Indiana), and invited the news media to make themselves look good.
Unfortunately, people support them.
"
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:39 AM:
wtf wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:34 AM:
Mazie wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:30 AM:
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:02 AM:
The way this guy flip flops he could be stuck in a turbine and used to generate power. He's got a different position for every special interest he prostitutes himself to. "
Leonard wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:00 AM:
Brian wrote on Jan 24, 2008 6:57 AM:
Whether it be Guiliani or Romney, either are fine with me. The Huckster and McCain are definately out of the question. "
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