'Narnia represents everything that is most hateful about religion'

This is the title of a movie review written by British film critic, Poly Toynbee of CS Lewis' masterpiece turned Hollywood blockbuster entitled “The Chronicles of Narnia” . It clearly demonstrates the contempt that many non-believers have for Christianity.

In her piece which was published in The Guardian, Toynbee writes:

The lion exchanging his life for Edmund's is the sort of thing Arthurian legends are made of. Parfait knights and heroes in prisoner-of-war camps do it all the time. But what's this? After a long, dark night of the soul and women's weeping, the lion is suddenly alive again. Why? How?, my children used to ask. Well, it is hard to say why. It does not make any more sense in CS Lewis's tale than in the gospels. Ah, Aslan explains, it is the "deep magic", where pure sacrifice alone vanquishes death.

Of all the elements of Christianity, the most repugnant is the notion of the Christ who took our sins upon himself and sacrificed his body in agony to save our souls. Did we ask him to? Poor child Edmund, to blame for everything, must bear the full weight of a guilt only Christians know how to inflict, with a twisted knife to the heart. Every one of those thorns, the nuns used to tell my mother, is hammered into Jesus's holy head every day that you don't eat your greens or say your prayers when you are told. So the resurrected Aslan gives Edmund a long, life-changing talking-to high up on the rocks out of our earshot. When the poor boy comes back down with the sacred lion's breath upon him he is transformed unrecognisably into a Stepford brother, well and truly purged.

I have always found it interesting how the issue of Christianity causes otherwise thoughtful intellectuals to devolve into unintelligent bigots whose discourse is filled with the very same hostile and hypocritical judgment they try to attribute to Christians.

What is most interesting about Toynbee’s commentary is that nobody forced her to go to the movie. No one forced her to read the book. No one is forcing her to believe the message being shared in the Chronicles of Narnia. And most importantly, no one is forcing her to believe the teachings of the Bible, including the miracle sacrifice that Jesus made so that we could have everlasting life. Why does the mere existence of Christianity offend her so? She could simply chose not to go to the movie, read the book or believe the teachings of the Bible.

As a matter of fact, one of the primary tenants of Christian faith is that of choice. You can choose to believe or not. You can choose to sin or not. The Bible says, “I set before you life and death, now choose life.” This also implies that those choices have consequences; some good and some bad.

But what I think bothers these brainiacs is the fact that they cannot find a way to logically pick and choose what biblical principles they will apply to their lives and which they will ignore. For those who are intellectually honest, they know that “Cafeteria-style Christianity” doesn’t work and it infuriates them. They want their religion to fit their world view. But for us to receive God’s blessings our world view must be transformed by our faith. And it is that idea of faith that they cannot grasp. It simply seems absurd to them that one must first in faith open their heart to God and then he will prove his love, his faithfulness and his promises. Wouldn’t it be easier?

Although a lot of the hostility that intellectuals have toward Christianity is also deeply rooted in bad experiences they have had with Christians, a lot of it also is the result of the most basic of man’s faults- pride.

Craig DeLuz

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Gun Control & Iraq...An interesting Perspective

I recieved this via email and thought you would enjoy it.

Consider the following:

There have been an average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theater of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2112 deaths, that gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000.

Also consider:

The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000.

That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in our Nation's Capitol, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation!

Conclusion: We should immediately pull out of Washington D.C.!!!


Craig DeLuz

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www.craigdeluz.com

Kwanzaa Claus is coming to town!

I have never really given Kwanzaa much thought. I have always thought of it as a harmless, although futile attempt by my fellow Black Americans to get in touch with their African roots and deny their American heritage.

But I have to admit that I was disturbed to see an announcement that this year’s Sacramento area Kwanzaa Celebration was being co-sponsored by the All African Peoples Revolutionary Party (A-ARP) , a group that among other things advocates armed revolution against the American Government. And I had to wonder why Black folks would celebrate a holiday founded by a man who was convicted of brutally torturing black women?

A 2002 article published in Front Page Magazine highlights the charges against Kwanzaa’s founder, Dr. Ron Karenga and gives a detailed insight into the violent history this man who was also the head of an armed revolutionary movement/Cult known as US (United Slaves).

A May 14, 1971, article in the Los Angeles Times described the testimony of one of them: "Deborah Jones, who once was given the Swahili title of an African queen, said she and Gail Davis were whipped with an electrical cord and beaten with a karate baton after being ordered to remove their clothes. She testified that a hot soldering iron was placed in Miss Davis' mouth and placed against Miss Davis' face and that one of her own big toes was tightened in a vise. Karenga, head of US, also put detergent and running hoses in their mouths, she said."

I find it hard to believe that anyone knowing the background of Dr. Karenga would legitimize him or this holiday. For all Kwanzaa’s emphasis on “Unity”, it is interesting how most, if not all of the violent acts by Karenga’s US were against Black People.

On Jan. 17, 1969, about 150 students gathered in a lunchroom to discuss the situation. Two Panthers—admitted to UCLA like many of the black students as part of a federal program that put high-school dropouts into the school—apparently spent a good part of the meeting in verbal attacks against Karenga. This did not sit well with Karenga's followers, many of whom had adopted the look of their leader, pseudo-African clothing and a shaved head.

In modern gang parlance, you might say Karenga was "dissed" by John Jerome Huggins, 23, and Alprentice "Bunchy" Carter, 26. After the meeting, the two Panthers were met in the hallway by two brothers who were members of US, George P. and Larry Joseph Stiner. The Stiners pulled pistols and shot the two Panthers dead. One of the Stiners took a bullet in the shoulder, apparently from a Panther's gun.

There were other beatings and shooting in Los Angeles involving US, but by then the tradition of African nationalism had already taken hold—

While this Front Page piece is largely opinion, the facts sited in it appear to be true. This is why, I felt it necessary to share the truth about Kwanzaa and its founder; so that those who read it can know what I now know.

Kwanzaa is a sham. And like many, I was guilty of allowing ignorance to fuel my passivity and apathy toward this absurd celebration that founded by a man who practiced none of its principles.

So...You better not shout... You better not cry... You better not pout... I’m telling you why... Kwanzaa Claus is coming to town! AND HE'LL BEAT THE SNOT OUT OF YOU IF YOU DO!

Craig DeLuz

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www.craigdeluz.com

Christmas is Back!!!!

Over the last few years the anti-God movement has been on a mission to remove Christ from Christmas. Well those who truly know the reason for the season are fighting back. And we are winning!!!!

Today, the Los Angles Times reports today how retailer after retailer is changing their tune.

A few weeks ago, banners outside every Lowe's store in the nation announced a sale on "Holiday Trees." Hundreds of Christians called to complain that the home-improvement chain was shunning Christmas.

The banners came down. Now the fake firs and pines are clearly labeled "Christmas Trees."

Target, too, started the season with a generic marketing theme. It pushed holiday plates, holiday leggings, holiday ornaments, holiday trees — with nary a mention of Christmas. Then, more than 500,000 shoppers signed an online pledge to boycott the chain. This week, Target promised to bring more Christmas into its stores as Dec. 25 approaches.

For the third year in a row, Christians nationwide have mobilized to put the holy back in the holiday. And they are winning battle after battle.

Their most publicized victories have come in the retail realm, where they have urged stores to acknowledge that the December shopping frenzy is not just about scoring a cheap DVD player, but also about celebrating Christ's birth.

Walgreen Co. says it's too late to change this year's "holiday" circulars, but in response to dozens of customer complaints, it has promised to bring back the word "Christmas" in its 2006 ads.

Macy's — the subject of a small boycott last year — sent activists a letter touting its use of "Merry Christmas" in ads, store windows and a TV jingle. A Macy's executive vice president, Louis M. Meunier, pledged that the company would use Christmas in even more marketing next year.

This just goes to show what happens when we take a stand. Economic boycotts hit retailers where it counts… in their pocketbooks.

Now that we have saved Christmas, maybe we could consider working to protect the family or the lives of innocent children. They are at least as important as Christmas…Aren’t they?

Craig DeLuz

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www.craigdeluz.com

Study shows most illegals not hard up. Just trying to move up the corporate ladder!

As liberals try to portray illegal immigrants as destitute, unemployed farm workers just looking to feed their families; the facts are revealing and entirely different picture. According to Pew Hispanic Center 95% of those who enter this country illegally had jobs in Mexico before coming here.

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting:

Most undocumented workers from Mexico had jobs there before they entered the United States, according to a report released Tuesday.

The vast majority of migrants are not looking just for work, but for better work, at higher wages, with better working conditions -- and in many cases, they're trying to reunite with growing networks of families who settled in the United States before them, according to researchers with the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington.

The report's conclusion undercuts a long-held explanation for illegal immigration: that migrants can't find work at home.

``Lack of work does not appear to be the main reason why migrants leave Mexico for the United States,'' the report says.

Those who are coming to the US represent the heart of the Mexican workforce. Thus they are not coming here to because they were unemployed in Mexico, but they are looking for higher wages.

Undocumented Mexican immigrants traditionally have been portrayed as desperate job seekers without options in their own country. But of the Mexican immigrants surveyed who had been in the United States for two years, only 5 percent said they were unemployed before venturing north of the border.

The lure of higher wages appears to be a big incentive. Although undocumented Mexican immigrants draw a median income here of only $300 a week -- less than half that of U.S. workers -- those earnings easily surpass the $100 to $120 average weekly salaries they draw at home.

Another interesting, if not obvious finding in this study was that the fact that these immigrants were here illegally had little affect on their ability to find work.

In one notable finding, the researchers said immigration status apparently had little impact on chances for employment in the United States. ``Overall, low education levels, weak English-language skills and lack of a U.S. government-issued ID do not seem to pose barriers to finding work in the U.S.,'' the report said.

This just goes to show how important it is that we not only take significant steps to close the boarders, but that we also make a concerted effort to crack down on those who employ workers who are here illegally.

Craig DeLuz

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www.craigdeluz.com

Poll shows support for Hillary is dropping like a rock… It’s about time!

It appears that attempts by Hillary Clinton to reinvent herself are not working out as planned. As she moves to the right by straddling the Iraq war fence and co-sponsoring legislation to make flag-burning a crime, voters on the left are hopping mad and voters on the right aren’t falling for it.

According to Angus Reid Consultants support for Hillary’s 2008 presidential bid has fallen dramatically:

The number of adults in the United States who would support Democratic New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in a presidential election fell last month, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 25 per cent of respondents say they would definitely vote for the former first lady in 2008, down five points since mid-November.

This sudden drop in support coincides with her most recent attempts to woo the right. As Democrats step up the promotion of their “cut and run” strategy for Iraq, Hillary has refused to join their chorus, while at the same time criticizing the Bush administration for not offering an exit strategy. Additionally, she has signed onto a bill by Republican Senator Bob Bennett of Utah that would make flag-burning a federal crime right after reiterating her opposition to a constitutional amendment to flag-burning by likening it to the KKK burning crosses. Clearly Hillary doesn’t understand that she can’t have it both ways.

The fact that her poll numbers are falling is just one indication of her waning support. Reports out today are that she will actually be drawing a credible challenger for in her bid for re-election to the US Senate. Well know labor activist and Wal-Mart critic Jonathan Tasini may be entering the race for the Democratic nomination against Clinton. There is also the newly announced campaign by Codepink to “Bird-dog” the senator for her lack support for the immediate removal of troops from Iraq.

Apparently, Hillary is learning that John Kerry style public policy isn’t going to fly. There is simply no logical way to be on both sides of the same issue.


Craig DeLuz

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www.craigdeluz.com

The Trunk Monkey Theft Retrieval System- Instant Justice! (Funny Video)

If you have ever had your car stolen, you know what a traumatic experience it can be.

Well the Trunk Monkey is an automotive theft retrieval system will not only help to get your car back. But it will also act a form of “on the spot justice” for you “tough on crime” types.

Click Here to see the video

This commercial is a few years old, but it is still funny!

Craig DeLuz

Visit The Home of Uncommon Sense...
www.craigdeluz.com