REFUTATION BY DENIGRATION

In October, the local library liquidated their collection of cassette books and gave them all to me. As I sifted through the stack, I found a book called Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays by Stephen Hawking. Being interested in science, I listened to the whole book. As I played one tape, I heard how Hawking had suffered what he called "refutation by denigration" as a result of his theory that black holes emitted particles and eventually vanished. Instead of basing their criticism on flaws they discovered in the theory, Hawkings' detractors used insults to discredit his work.

This happens far too often in the political world, particularly from socialists. Conservative leaders, for example  have been labeled as racists for wishing to get rid of affirmative action programs. Many of President Obama's opponents have also been accused of racism simply for finding fault with his policies.

Canada isn't immune to refutation by denigration  either. The Wildrose Alliance Party formed in 2008 to oppose the wasteful spending and high living of the Progressive Conservatives. The party was immediately  tarred with the epithet "upstart" and was often labeled as "right wing extremist" by many political commentators. Instead of examining Wildrose's fiscal and social policies at their face value, the media editors prejudged the intent of the policies and impugned the reputations of the Wildrose leadership.

Sadly, this happens to evangelical Christians as well. A small group of vocal atheists have written hateful books which make irrational claims about God and his followers.

Likewise, any professor doubting global warming, now called climate change, have been censured and discredited.

Additionally, those believers who oppose abortion are automatically tarred with the epithet "deniers of women's rights" simply for proposing that life begins at conception. No matter what scientific studies have found regarding fetal pain and the development of the baby in the womb, these vocal opponents continue to call Christians derogatory names. Detractors seem unwilling and unable to examine anti-abortion arguments dispassionately.

People who oppose homosexual and lesbian behaviour as being abnormal also come under fire by a small band of activists. Though Scripture makes it clear that the activities of these people is perversion, adherents of Christianity are charged by Jesus Christ to love sinners. Opponents often point to the Old Testament injunctions of the death penalty for breakers of God's commands without realizing those were for the time when Israel was a theocracy. The Lord gave the commandments because of the weakness of the Israelites toward copying the wicked deeds of other nations. Now that Christ has shown God's compassionate wish to save all who would believe in him, his followers are compelled to love sinners but oppose their sinful and self-destructive ways.

While it might be a human trait to call people names and attach negative attributes to others, it still is inexcusable. For many years, elders in a house church accused me of lacking faith to be healed of poor eyesight, harboring sin, lusting for sight, and having ancestral sins that blocked my healing. I found out later that my detractors were wrong. What a relief that was, and still is, to me. You can read the glorious journey God led me on in How I Was Razed: A Journey from Cultism to Christianity. Check it out at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell's Books.

A POLITICIAN WITH COMMON SENSE

Most folks would agree that politicians aren't practical, honest, and articulate. In fact, it seems that the joke about politicians is completely true.

Q: What's the difference between a robber and a politician?

A: The robber takes your money and runs while the politician runs and then takes your money.

While I agree that it's true in most cases, there are exceptions. Danielle Smith is the leader of a conservative party in Alberta called the Wildrose Alliance. It was formed because conservatives in the provincial government became fed up at the wasteful spending and dictatorial way the Progressive Conservative government was being run.

When Danielle joined the party, it was little better than a splinter group with only Rob Anderson running for the position as  a member of the Legislature of Alberta. Danielle's dynamic personality and honest answers to political questions won many Albertans to her side.

In the 2012 election, Wildrose had candidates in all 87 Alberta ridings. They almost won. At the last minute, the PCs misquoted one candidate's blog post and manipulated another into making a supposedly racist comment. This stampeded Albertans into re-electing the PCs.

Though Wildrose lost that election, they learned from the mistakes of the past. The party is focusing on alternative policies to those of the incumbents which would save money but still address the province's needs. Wasteful spending on pet projects and rewarding crony corporations is what is driving Canada's richest province into deep debt. Danielle and the Wildrose aim to change this entitlement mentality which the government presently has.

For more information on Danielle and the Wildrose Party, visit wildrose.cahttp://www.wildrose.ca.

Though I'm not overtly political, I did mention my beliefs in my three memoirs. The first two are for sale on my Bruce Atchison's Books page. The third, my testimony of coming out of a toxic church, is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Virtual Bookworm Publishers.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PAYING TAXES

I know of nobody who delights in paying taxes. Every April the fifteenth in America and April thirtieth in Canada, people rush to get their tax forms filled in before the deadline. In fact, Revenue Canada stays open until midnight so nobody has an excuse for missing the deadline.

Though I hate every scandalous waste of taxpayer money, I realize that paying taxes is the right thing to do. Even the Bible says we should pay taxes. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:6 and 7, "For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending  continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to  whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." He wrote this during the time when the Roman empire  ruled much of the known world. Compared to the people of that time, we have it so easy.

Back in the days of ancient Israel, God appointed taxes to be paid to the priests, judges, and kings. Numbers 31:41reads, "And Moses gave the tribute, which was the LORD'S heave offering, unto  Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses." Not only were there set amounts but God allowed for donations to help his theocracy thrive. Deuteronomy 16:10 says, "And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute  of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as  the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:"

Unfortunately, though it was part of God's plan, one king greatly upset the citizens by saying he would raise already-high taxes. First Kings 12:18 reads, "Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel  stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem." Even so, I don't suggest we do that today to our taxation departments.

Nevertheless, even Jesus paid taxes. Matthew 17:24 -27 says, "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money  came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him,  saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute?  of their own children, or of strangers?  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." Of course I don't recommend a fishing trip to pay your taxes.

Though God requires Christians to pay taxes to the governments he puts in place for his own glory, we in the west have recourse when it comes to our elected leaders to protest their actions. This is the reason I joined the Wildrose Alliance Party. I also have written to prime ministers and premieres regarding my concerns. As long as we have the freedom to plead our case with our leaders, we ought to do so for the good of our lands and for God's glory.

Though I never mentioned my political beliefs in How I Was Razed, this testimony shows how God providentially led me to the peace I now enjoy. Visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Virtual Bookworm Publishers to read more about my memoir.