Rev. Mark H. Creech
Will social conservatives betray McCrory and state lawmakers during their time of testing?
By Rev. Mark H. Creech
Barbara Bartocci, a Kansas City inspirational and motivational speaker, once wrote that betrayal can be like an earthquake. "The very ground beneath you is suddenly unstable," she said.
Certainly one of the most challenging times in my ministry occurred when I was still in my twenties. Relatively new at this one particular pastorate, I was approached privately by some of the church's members. They explained that there was a long-standing problem in the fellowship that they wanted me to correct. So I set out to correct matters as they requested. When an unexpected controversy arose because of the actions I had taken in their stead, they scattered like roaches. None of them stood with me. None of them defended me. They were cravenly silent and essentially abandoned me.
Their betrayal was like an earthquake. The very ground beneath me was suddenly unstable. Although I was never terminated, not long thereafter I left that church, largely broken and defeated.
Contrary to the notions of many today, the Vietnam War wasn't a conflict fought against the wishes of most Americans. Neither did the vast majority of our nation's youth take to the streets to protest the war. Deeply concerned about the spread of Communism into South Vietnam and its possible domino effect on other countries, there was actually broad support under the Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy administrations. The anti-war movement during the Johnson years was actually small, although public opinion would eventually sour.
During that era, thousands of young Americans, unlike others that "dodged the draft," didn't shirk their duty but obeyed their nation's call to serve. Most unfortunately, they would only come home later and suffer being unappreciated, reviled, and spit upon by so many of their own countryman. Vietnam had become so controversial, even those that were against the anti-war movement, failed to sufficiently speak up on behalf of the nation's Vets.
It could be accurately argued that for a long time, Vietnam Veterans were betrayed – the very ground beneath their lives was wrongfully made unstable.
Only a few days ago, I was captivated by a CBN interview of North Carolina Governor, Pat McCrory, conducted at the Governor's mansion. Reporter Jenna Browder stated the Governor was facing a number of contentious issues, one of which was HB 2, the "Bathroom Bill." Browder said despite the incredible pressures McCrory was under to call for HB 2's repeal, he remained resolute in supporting it.
Quite frankly, I wasn't surprised. The Governor's stalwart position of protecting the right to privacy and safety has been an inspiration, not just for North Carolinians, but for much of the country.
Last March when social conservatives called upon the state legislature to adopt legislation that would overturn an unconstitutional overreach by the city of Charlotte, the Republican majority responded promptly by passing HB 2. The Governor signed the measure on the same day of its passage.
HB 2 reversed an outrageous ordinance approved by Charlotte's City Council that would have allowed men to use women's bathrooms, showers and locker rooms, putting women and children in grave situations of danger. Moreover, the ordinance would have infringed upon the religious liberties of private businesses and churches by forcing them to promote ideas and participate in events that conflicted with their peacefully held beliefs.
HB 2 was the needed fix and our state's lawmakers and Governor McCrory took a strong stand for what's right.
Since the legislation's passing, however, the Governor and state leaders have been hounded, hated, and humiliated by the lying Left. The legislation, as well as our state's leadership, have been besmirched and badmouthed with unfounded criticisms and grossly hypocritical protests from big name celebrities, large corporate entities, and major sports groups. These attacks have been mostly driven by the Human Rights Campaign, Equality NC, and other purveyors of preferred rights rather than equal rights.
But perhaps this may not even be the worst of it. What would even surpass these injustices is if social conservatives, God-fearing North Carolinians, should fail to sufficiently stand with our state's leaders during their time of testing.
McCrory said something to Browder during the interview, which I believe is urgent and mustn't be neglected under the present circumstances.
"One thing I've told a lot of people is we have to have the silent majority quit whispering. They talk too softly about their support and they need to speak out now because what's happening in America and what's happening in North Carolina – the only people you hear from is the media – and the only people you hear from protesting in the street or on our universities are people on the very far left who disagree with people of faith on many issues – but we're not hearing from the silent majority," argued the Governor. "They're too quiet right now. Therefore, the impression of the Independent voter is, well the loud people must represent the majority, and we're going to find out this election. It's going to be very interesting."
The Governor's remarks slightly precede the recent announcement of the Human Rights Campaign's intention to contact more than 400,000 voters as a part of their get-out-the-vote campaign. They say they view North Carolina as central to their national objectives. They are determined to defeat McCrory's re-election campaign and secure a majority of state lawmakers for office that will implement their new radical gender ideology. They see the election in North Carolina as a referendum on legislation like HB 2. If they can succeed here, says the Washington-based Family Research Council, "then leaders in other states will start flying white flags on issues of morality, security, and religious freedom."
Make no mistake. The principles of our Christian faith are under serious attack. Our right to practice our faith freely in the public arena is at stake in this election.
This is no time to be silent – no time to whisper – no time to equivocate. Pastors need to lead their churches with sermons of conviction that direct their people to zealously honor their civic duties. Christians need to demonstrate their faith with good works – to get their Christian brethren registered to vote – to secure absentee ballots if they're going to be away on election day – to take advantage of early voting – to let nothing but death, severe illness, or a terrible emergency prevent them from getting to the polls and casting their vote in support of Governor McCrory and other candidates who are behind HB 2.
They've been standing for us. Now we have to stand with them! To do anything else at this critical time would be nothing less than betrayal, resulting in all of North Carolina being on unstable ground.
© Rev. Mark H. Creech
October 9, 2016
Barbara Bartocci, a Kansas City inspirational and motivational speaker, once wrote that betrayal can be like an earthquake. "The very ground beneath you is suddenly unstable," she said.
Certainly one of the most challenging times in my ministry occurred when I was still in my twenties. Relatively new at this one particular pastorate, I was approached privately by some of the church's members. They explained that there was a long-standing problem in the fellowship that they wanted me to correct. So I set out to correct matters as they requested. When an unexpected controversy arose because of the actions I had taken in their stead, they scattered like roaches. None of them stood with me. None of them defended me. They were cravenly silent and essentially abandoned me.
Their betrayal was like an earthquake. The very ground beneath me was suddenly unstable. Although I was never terminated, not long thereafter I left that church, largely broken and defeated.
Contrary to the notions of many today, the Vietnam War wasn't a conflict fought against the wishes of most Americans. Neither did the vast majority of our nation's youth take to the streets to protest the war. Deeply concerned about the spread of Communism into South Vietnam and its possible domino effect on other countries, there was actually broad support under the Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy administrations. The anti-war movement during the Johnson years was actually small, although public opinion would eventually sour.
During that era, thousands of young Americans, unlike others that "dodged the draft," didn't shirk their duty but obeyed their nation's call to serve. Most unfortunately, they would only come home later and suffer being unappreciated, reviled, and spit upon by so many of their own countryman. Vietnam had become so controversial, even those that were against the anti-war movement, failed to sufficiently speak up on behalf of the nation's Vets.
It could be accurately argued that for a long time, Vietnam Veterans were betrayed – the very ground beneath their lives was wrongfully made unstable.
Only a few days ago, I was captivated by a CBN interview of North Carolina Governor, Pat McCrory, conducted at the Governor's mansion. Reporter Jenna Browder stated the Governor was facing a number of contentious issues, one of which was HB 2, the "Bathroom Bill." Browder said despite the incredible pressures McCrory was under to call for HB 2's repeal, he remained resolute in supporting it.
Quite frankly, I wasn't surprised. The Governor's stalwart position of protecting the right to privacy and safety has been an inspiration, not just for North Carolinians, but for much of the country.
Last March when social conservatives called upon the state legislature to adopt legislation that would overturn an unconstitutional overreach by the city of Charlotte, the Republican majority responded promptly by passing HB 2. The Governor signed the measure on the same day of its passage.
HB 2 reversed an outrageous ordinance approved by Charlotte's City Council that would have allowed men to use women's bathrooms, showers and locker rooms, putting women and children in grave situations of danger. Moreover, the ordinance would have infringed upon the religious liberties of private businesses and churches by forcing them to promote ideas and participate in events that conflicted with their peacefully held beliefs.
HB 2 was the needed fix and our state's lawmakers and Governor McCrory took a strong stand for what's right.
Since the legislation's passing, however, the Governor and state leaders have been hounded, hated, and humiliated by the lying Left. The legislation, as well as our state's leadership, have been besmirched and badmouthed with unfounded criticisms and grossly hypocritical protests from big name celebrities, large corporate entities, and major sports groups. These attacks have been mostly driven by the Human Rights Campaign, Equality NC, and other purveyors of preferred rights rather than equal rights.
But perhaps this may not even be the worst of it. What would even surpass these injustices is if social conservatives, God-fearing North Carolinians, should fail to sufficiently stand with our state's leaders during their time of testing.
McCrory said something to Browder during the interview, which I believe is urgent and mustn't be neglected under the present circumstances.
"One thing I've told a lot of people is we have to have the silent majority quit whispering. They talk too softly about their support and they need to speak out now because what's happening in America and what's happening in North Carolina – the only people you hear from is the media – and the only people you hear from protesting in the street or on our universities are people on the very far left who disagree with people of faith on many issues – but we're not hearing from the silent majority," argued the Governor. "They're too quiet right now. Therefore, the impression of the Independent voter is, well the loud people must represent the majority, and we're going to find out this election. It's going to be very interesting."
The Governor's remarks slightly precede the recent announcement of the Human Rights Campaign's intention to contact more than 400,000 voters as a part of their get-out-the-vote campaign. They say they view North Carolina as central to their national objectives. They are determined to defeat McCrory's re-election campaign and secure a majority of state lawmakers for office that will implement their new radical gender ideology. They see the election in North Carolina as a referendum on legislation like HB 2. If they can succeed here, says the Washington-based Family Research Council, "then leaders in other states will start flying white flags on issues of morality, security, and religious freedom."Make no mistake. The principles of our Christian faith are under serious attack. Our right to practice our faith freely in the public arena is at stake in this election.
This is no time to be silent – no time to whisper – no time to equivocate. Pastors need to lead their churches with sermons of conviction that direct their people to zealously honor their civic duties. Christians need to demonstrate their faith with good works – to get their Christian brethren registered to vote – to secure absentee ballots if they're going to be away on election day – to take advantage of early voting – to let nothing but death, severe illness, or a terrible emergency prevent them from getting to the polls and casting their vote in support of Governor McCrory and other candidates who are behind HB 2.
They've been standing for us. Now we have to stand with them! To do anything else at this critical time would be nothing less than betrayal, resulting in all of North Carolina being on unstable ground.
© Rev. Mark H. Creech
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