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Dateline Sacramento (12/10/2009)

 

Dateline Sacramento
News with a View from the California Capitol
December 10, 2009
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
SACRAMENTO – A century ago, a young girl named Virginia wrote to the New York Sun, seeking an answer to her question, “Is there a Santa Claus?” Her father had told her, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s true.” And she believed him with the simple faith of a child. Yes, it was a simpler time, when the innocence of a child was more highly respected and nurtured. Still today, childhood can be a magical time, when truth is black and white, when trust in parents is full, and the wonders of Christmas are given life in the imaginations of children. 
Jesus himself spoke of coming to him with childlike faith (Mark 10:13-15) – a faith filled with wonder and awe, believing in the impossible, and trusting our heavenly Father above all else. Indeed, the real wonder of Christmas is the truth that God sent his Son into the world to save sinners, and that salvation is a free gift to all who would believe.
Parents who strive to keep the true message of Christmas alive in the hearts and minds of their families face significant distractions in today’s culture. The advance of advertising into our homes – through our plasma screens – presents a formidable challenge to the simple yet profound celebration of the birth of the Christ child. Commercialism and materialism hammer at the door of our homes.
Indeed, in our increasingly relativistic age, where belief in anything is often suspect, keeping the innocence of children intact is a sizeable responsibility, especially at Christmas, when all things traditional and religious are under attack. Schools and local governments, fearing legal reprisal by “purists” attempting to remove Christianity from our culture, revert to winter holiday vacations, holiday greetings, holiday parades, and secular carols and trappings.
Many retailers now cage their advertisements in multicultural, inclusive language, in hopes of offending no one, for the purpose of profit. Best Buy ran a national Black Friday circular that invited shoppers to celebrate Thanksgiving and Eid Al-Adha, a Muslim festival of sacrifice. The Gap, no stranger to inclusivity, ran an ad in which attractive, multicultural, skinny-jeans-clad cheerleaders shout, “Go Christmas! Go Hannukah! Go Kwanzaa! Go Solstice!...You 86 the rules, you do what just feels right," they cheer, before telling us to “do whatever [we] wannukkah” this merry holiday season. Those who celebrate the “reason for the season” are offended, and are beginning to respond with more selective shopping. (Focus on the Family’s Citizenlink provides shoppers the opportunity to rate merchants’ “Christmas friendliness.”)
Topping off the drive to secularize Christmas, the American Humanist Society takes its campaign promoting a “Godless Holiday” nationwide. The group, consisting of atheists and others who “embrace reason over religion,” chose the Christmas season to run a $40,000 ad campaign on buses in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Placards on buses depict smiling people wearing Santa hats with the slogan, “No God?...No problem.” The humanists, who say they are trying to reach like-minded individuals and not convert the religious, believe it is possible to be morally upright without a foundational faith in God. (Read more in the Los Angeles Times or on CNSNews.com.)
Disparaging the cultural and religious traditions of Christmas is not the exclusive purview of merchants or the humanist society. Both Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus fell under attack this year. CBS drew the ire of television and media watchdogs for running a video commercial entitled, “Frosty the Inappropriate Snowman.” The feature used clips from the iconic cartoon spliced with two network comedy series known for pushing the envelope – How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half Men. The video suggests that Frosty and his friends visit a strip club, discuss his “porn” collection, and boast of prior sexual encounters. Bob Peters of Morality in Media was quoted on FOXNews.com, “Legal matters aside, it should go without saying that CBS TV ought to be ashamed of itself – using an animated Christmas season setting with young children to chat about strippers, whores, pornography, sadomasochism, sexual promiscuity, and more.” 
Adding further ammunition to the belief “nothing is sacred” anymore, homosexual activist group GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) sponsored a benefit performance of Santa Claus is Coming Out, a one-man-show “mock-u-mentary” about the outing of Santa Claus. GLSEN, founded by homosexual Kevin Jennings, portrays itself as promoting student safety, yet nothing could be further from the truth of its graphic pro-homosexual advocacy. Such unabashed, pro-homosexual advocacy recently earned Jennings a promotion, when President Barack Obama appointed him to head the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools.
Truly, nothing in contemporary culture is sacred. Christmas is being systematically removed from schools and communities, while one-size-fits-all inclusivity offends truth and tradition in our postmodern world. “And that, perhaps, is the broader cultural significance of the war on Christmas. In our relativistic age, we're not expected to believe in anything. To politically correct liberals, belief is an odd eccentricity passed down by barbarians who lived in a more superstitious time.” (Washington Times, November 27, 2009)
The New York Sun responded to the child’s inquiry with this: “Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. … The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.” (Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus)
To that we might add, yes, Virginia, there is wonder, there is Christmas and joy, there is a Christ Child, God’s gift to us. While secularists and humanists seek to deny the evidence and reality of childlike faith, to strip childhood of its innocence and wonder, they miss the truth and the reality of faith and its impact in the lives of those around them. “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (I Cor. 2:9) 
“And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11) This is the truth – something to cling to. Teach your children well this Christmas season, for other voices of the season are shouting a secularized, anti-God version to our culture.
The Proliferation of Pornography and the Destruction of the American Family
California Family Council is dedicated to preserving the ideals and values that strengthen the family and enrich family life. One of the ways we achieve this is to inform parents and future parents of some of the challenges and obstacles they face in successfully raising children in today’s society. A new report released last week identifies one of those challenges.
The comprehensive study outlining the devastating effects of the viewing of pornography on individuals, marriages, families and society was authored by Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D. and published by the Family Research Council. The in-depth report reveals the devastating results of pornography, and emphasizes the important role parents must play in protecting their children and preserving their families.
Here are some of the extensive study’s key findings:
Families:
·         Married men who are involved in pornography feel less satisfied with their conjugal relations and less emotionally attached to their wives. Wives notice and are upset by the difference.
·         Pornography use is a pathway to infidelity and divorce, and is frequently a major factor in these family disasters.
·         Among couples affected by one spouse’s addiction, two-thirds experience a loss of interest in sexual relations.
·         Both spouses perceive pornography viewing as tantamount to infidelity.
·         Pornography viewing leads to a loss of interest in good family relations.
Individuals:
  • Pornography is addictive, and neuroscientists are beginning to map the biological substrate of this addiction.
  • Users tend to become desensitized to the type of pornography they use, become bored with it, and then seek more perverse forms of pornography.
  • Men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexuality, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity.
  • Prolonged consumption of pornography by men produces stronger notions of women as commodities or as “sex objects.”
  • Pornography engenders greater sexual permissiveness, which in turn leads to a greater risk of out-of-wedlock births and STDs. These, in turn, lead to still more weaknesses and debilities.
  • Child-sex offenders are more likely to view pornography regularly or to be involved in its distribution.
Other Effects:
  • Many adolescents who view pornography initially feel shame, diminished self-confidence, and sexual uncertainty. But these feelings quickly shift to unadulterated enjoyment with regular viewing.
  • The presence of sexually oriented businesses significantly harms the surrounding community, leading to increases in crime and decreased property values.
  • The main defenses against pornography are a strong family unit, a good marriage and good relations between parents and children, and deliberate parental monitoring of Internet use.
  • Traditionally, government has kept a tight lid on sexual traffic and businesses, but in matters of pornography that has waned almost completely, except where child pornography is concerned. Given the massive, deleterious individual, marital, family, and social effects of pornography, it is time for citizens, communities, and government to reconsider their laissez-faire approach.
The study concludes by stating:
The key to countering these damaging patterns and to protecting against the effects of pornography is to foster relationships of affection and attachment in family. The first and most important relationship is between the father and the mother. The second is engaged parents who love their children. In today’s technological society, this means limiting, monitoring, and directing their children’s Internet use. This, in turn, provides an invaluable shield against Internet pornography, and allows room for healthy attitudes toward sexuality, which unfold in a natural and socially supported way.
In our over-sexualized culture, with a longer pre-marriage period, children need the capacity for abstinence if their sexuality is to be channeled into stable marriage, procreation, and healthy family life for their children. Strong families remain the best defense against the negative effects of pornography, especially when aided by regular religious worship with all the benefits it brings.
Pornography clearly undermines both marriage and the family, and has a host of ill effects. It is time for government to reassess its laissez-faire attitude towards the proliferation of pornography, especially on the Internet.
Our present and future families need protection from this insidious enemy of love, affection, and of family and social stability.
Helpful information for parents or individuals struggling with pornography can be obtained from Focus on the Family. Click here.
The Next Speaker of the Assembly?
While California’s families prepare for the Christmas season, state legislators and Capitol staff traditionally also take time away with family. However, repeated annual deficits and the economic recession keep legislators and staff in their Sacramento offices. Though the state is anticipating a deficit in excess of $20 billion next year, the Capitol has been preoccupied with speculation, and acrimony, over who will become the next Speaker of the Assembly (its highest ranking official). 
Since mid-November, when Speaker Karen Bass (D-Baldwin Vista) announced that she would be stepping down from the Speakership post, Democrat legislators began campaigning to replace her. The leading contenders were Assemblymembers Kevin de Leon, John Perez and Felipe Fuentes.
The speakership battle was not between Republicans and Democrats, but between 3 Southern California Latino Democrat legislators. While de Leon and Fuentes were the more ambitious contenders, some Democrat legislators were searching for an alternative candidate, and encouraged Perez to enter the competition for the role. Assemblyman Perez, who served as the Democrat Caucus Chairman during 2009, had proven himself to many of his colleagues as a respected person with whom they could cooperatively work. With Perez’ growing caucus support, Fuentes promptly withdrew his name from consideration for the Speaker position, leaving only Kevin de Leon to vie with Perez.
Both de Leon and Perez are freshmen legislators, which mean if selected as the Speaker of the Assembly, they could potentially have 5 years to lead from one of the most powerful positions in the Legislature.  After intense campaigning and behind-locked-door negotiations, Assemblyman de Leon conceded to Perez. With Perez the only remaining candidate, the Democrat Caucus scheduled a meeting Thursday to elect their new leader, the next Speaker of the Assembly.
The new speaker will undoubtedly dictate the Assembly’s policy priorities. Historically, the Speaker of the Assembly’s policy ideas receives preferential treatment throughout the legislative process. The Assembly Speaker’s legislative bills receive less scrutiny and greater support than other legislation. For instance, during her tenure Speaker Karen Bass has championed foster care and adoption reform. As a result, during Bass’s tenure there were more bills introduced and passed related to California’s foster care and adoption systems than in previous years.
The election of Kevin de Leon to the Assembly Speakership would have brought a strong anti-life agenda. Assemblyman de Leon has been one of the fiercest supporters of Physician-assisted Suicide (PAS) legislation. If he had become speaker, PAS legislation was guaranteed to have resurfaced in 2010.
Regrettably, Assemblyman Perez, the presumptive next Speaker, also brings an anti-family agenda to California families. As an open homosexual, Perez’ candidacy was promoted by homosexual special interests, and with his election as Speaker the pro-homosexual bills will not only continue, but likely increase. Californians who favor the protection of traditional marriage and parental authority must be prepared to engage their elected representatives, to prevent the further deterioration of the family. The current legislative majority has already demonstrated their contempt for the voters of California, with the passage in August of Senate Bill 54 (Leno, D-San Francisco), which allowed same-sex marriages performed outside the state of California prior to the passage of Proposition 8 (the ballot measure reaffirming one man, one woman marriage) to be valid and recognized in California. With Assemblyman Perez as Speaker, the assault on marriage and California families will intensify.
With the Speaker battle resolved, the potential primary battle between Senator Gil Cedillo and Assemblyman Perez could present an significant distraction to the presumptive new Speaker. Last week, Senator Cedillo released a poll showing him soundly defeating Perez in 2010 for the Assembly seat. The pending primary results may cause another Speaker battle by mid-summer. 
Local Links
ALAMEDA – Parental outcry, followed by months of heated debate, has led to a vote by the Alameda Board of Education to phase out the elementary school pro-homosexual curriculum it adopted in May. The five-member school board voted 4-1 to replace the controversial curriculum with more generic lessons that promote tolerance. Read more at the Associated Press.
SANTA BARBARA – A Goleta Valley Junior High School principal and teacher have apologized to the parents of middle school students who were subjected to a classroom homosexual workshop containing controversial sexual material, without adherence to a school-district screening policy. Read more at Citizenlink.org.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court said on Monday that it would decide whether the University of California, Hastings College of Law, can deny recognition to a Christian student group because its members must agree with its religious views, and it has barred gays and lesbians from its membership. The justices agreed to hear an appeal, by a chapter of the Christian Legal Society, arguing the U.S. Constitution does not allow a school to deny recognition to a religious student group because it required its members to agree with its core views. Read more at Townhall.com.
BAKERSFIELD – The attack on local city councils’ public prayers continues. Bakersfield is the second city in Kern County to have prayers at city council meetings challenged by the Freedom From Religion Foundation Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit with a membership of mostly atheists and agnostics. Read more at Bakersfield.com.
Truth Project Opportunities
RIVERSIDE – California Family Council continues to expand its offerings of the acclaimed Truth Project group leader training seminars. Training in biblical worldview is a prerequisite to living out authentic Christianity in today’s postmodern culture, with its subjective claims of truth. 
The next Truth Project group leader training seminar:
Saturday, January 9, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Host Church: Adventure Christian Church
6401 Stanford Ranch Road
Roseville, CA 95678 (Placer County)
Saturday, January 16, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Host Church: Covenant Presbyterian Church
1855 Orange-Olive Road
Orange, CA 92865 (Orange County)
Saturday, January 30, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Host Church: Calvary Chapel of Livermore
545 North L Street
Livermore, CA 94551 (Alameda County)
Proyecto La Verdad Group Leader Training Seminars:
Spanish Language
Saturday, February 6, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Host Church: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
709 N. Curryer Street
Santa Maria, CA 93458 (Santa Barbara County)
For more information on attending or hosting a seminar, call the California Family Council at 951.354.8362 and ask for Trudy. Register online for seminars at: www.californiafamily.org.
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