"O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? even cry out to You, 'Violence!' And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds."
Habakkuk 1:2-4 "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."
Isaiah 58:1 "I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, for You have filled me with indignation."
Jeremiah 15:17
Well, hello! I don't see you wearing your helmet and flak jacket -- and you don't have your seat belt secured either! It's very risky to travel around CR's Range without those -- you might not survive! Anyway, this is Circuit Rider's Letter Cache #2. He's already filled CR's Letter Cache #1 to capacity! At the rate he fires off letters it's no wonder! Ok, take a look at the latest targets....
May 10, 2000 President William J. Clinton
The White House
Washington DCDear Mr. President:
Almighty God has plainly revealed that He expects total obedience to His clearly defined standards of righteousness from all nations which includes all its leaders and its citizens! Furthermore, this God is calling our nation’s leaders and all citizens to full repentance now!
This demands that we honestly acknowledge our past acts of idolatrous practices, unethical actions, immoral conduct and involvement in such, and the manipulation of individuals and groups for selfish purposes. In addition there must be total forsaking of our massive idolatry, immorality, dishonesty, greed, selfishness, vulgarity, pride, arrogance, and violence.
Our media culture has saturated our society with expressions of explicit violence, immorality, vulgarity, occultism, and death. Our educational institutions are tragically lacking in instilling basic values so needed for a stable and sane culture. Our young have been powerfully influenced by all this and now too often express the same in their personal experiences at school, at home, and in public places!
While our nation has a lot of things going for it to invite the judgment wrath of God, the greatest abomination over the last 27 years has been the systematic destruction of over 39 million unborn children at the present rate of more than 3,700 on an every day basis! Most tragic is the fact that this horrible practice has the sanction of many political, judicial, and religious leaders!
You and the members of the Congress can make a positive contribution in leading the way by personal example and boldly declaring that we need to come back to a holy God while there is still time to do so. (See 2 Chronicles 7:14 & 2 Chronicles 36:11-16).
Sincerely,
Clayton D. Harriger
Belsano PA 15922
Web Site: Circuit Rider’s Range at
index.html
cc: Other persons of influence in our nationNOTE: This letter is sent to the president, vice president, members of the U.S. Congress on an ongoing basis -- not just a one time thing -- remember how the prophets of the OT kept hammering away faithfully? Unfortunately, in most instances they were written off as hopeless fanatics who were "out of touch" -- but as time passed, it was rather clear that they were the ones who were really "in touch" -- with God that is and their God vindicated all that they said!
May 12, 2000 To: Bishop George W. Bashore and General Conference Delegates of W. Pa. Annual Conference Nancy Denardo, James L. Donner, Sally Ernest, Joel S. Garrett, Jeffrey Greenway, Nyle Hershberger, Ronald J. Hipwell, Matthew Johnson, Glenn B. Kohlhepp, Patricia A. Morris, Omer W. Nichols, Martha M. Orphe, Jack W. Plowman, Jaime Potter-Miller, Arnold A. Rhodes, John W. Seth, Dale R. Shunk, Aimee W. Twigg, Sarah Warman, Harold J. Yannayon
Dear Bishop Bashore and Delegates:
Enclosed please find copy of letter being sent to President Clinton, Vice President Gore, and a number of selected members of the United States Congress. As you will see, I am taking issue with the resolution adopted by the General Conference which in part calls on the US government to ban the private ownership of handguns, assault type weapons etc.
You will find the reasons given for opposition to the resolution which certainly does not speak for large numbers of United Methodists. But that has been the pattern a number of times throughout the years. It is rather well documented that there is often much disagreement at the grass roots level with what goes on at the upper levels of the UMC and a number of resolutions that are adopted.
One of the issues I have constantly raised over the years has been the fact that “officially” the United Methodist Church has not effectively nor honestly addressed the violence that results in the highest casualty rate in a year’s time in our country. So how about a detailed account as given in formal testimony by a nurse to illustrate the matter a bit more dramatically? While I have the names, I will keep the persons anonymous in the account:
Nurse X testified: “Dr. Y went in with the forceps and grabbed the baby’s legs and pulled them down into the birth canal. Then he delivered the baby’s body and arms - everything but the head…The baby’s little fingers were clasping and unclasping, and his little feet were kicking. Then the doctor stuck the scissors in the back of his head, and the baby’s arms jerked out, like a startle reaction, like a flinch, like a baby does when he thinks he is going to fall. The doctor opened up the scissors, stuck a high powered suction tube into the opening, and sucked the baby’s brains out. Now the baby went completely limp. I was really completely unprepared for what I was seeing.”Does anyone have a solid reason why the term “civilized” should not be omitted when making reference to the United States of America, or can anyone, especially within the ranks of the church that claims the name of Jesus Christ, provide solid reasons as to why a holy God Who has a wonderful plan for every human life should not bring judgment upon this nation similar to that which He did to ancient Judah in the days of King Zedekiah - especially when one of the abominations listed against them was the “shedding of innocent blood?”
Still contending (Jude 3 & 4)
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection, Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
Encl
Thursday, May 11, 2000 (Sent/Being Sent to President Clinton, V. President Gore, Selected Members of the US Congress et al)
Dear..........
During the United Methodist Church General Conference gathering in Cleveland May 2-12, 2000, delegates voted 724 to 205 to adopt a resolution which in part calls on the US government to ban private ownership of handguns, assault rifles, and kits which can alter firearms into automatic weapons.
This is to inform you that large numbers of United Methodists are in absolute disagreement with this resolution and do not support it for a number of reasons. And if a vote were taken at the grass roots level, you would find a much different outcome.
First, such a supposed ban would not eliminate the problem of gun violence. The criminal element would still have its firearms including full automatic weapons which it would continue to obtain whenever desired because of illegal transactions that our law enforcement agencies seem powerless to control. The only persons who would be affected would be law abiding citizens who would certainly resist the surrender of their firearms due to the rights granted to them under the Second Amendment.
Second, there is a need for consistent enforcement of firearms laws and regulations already in place. There has been too much compromising within the justice system when it comes to dealing with offenders guilty of acts involving violent use of firearms. There is also a need for more severe penalties to be applied and no chance for shortened sentences or parole for those guilty of violence in which firearms are used.
Third, too many delegates and influential members of the UMC hierarchy intentionally avoid the arena in which the greatest and most macabre forms of violence take place, far outpacing the number of victims of gun violence. You will find that they seem to be tongue tied when it comes to raising a voice to protest this violence that results in well over 1 million victims every year! I refer to the barbarism that takes place on a daily basis in which at least 3,700 or more unborn children are literally torn to pieces in their mothers' wombs in clinics and hospitals across this country which professes that all human beings ought to have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! Our grand total of victims from this raw heathen practice since 1973 totals at least 39 million or more, and possibly as high as 40 million! How does that compare with the number of gun victims?
Fourth, the vast majority of UMC delegates and leaders have done practically nothing to act and bring about the banning of audio/visual expressions of violence to which our children and youth are exposed on a daily basis. This saturated exposure has a conditioning effect which literally "programs" them to react violently, using whatever instrument they can lay their hands on, and aggressively assault the person or persons who have provoked them. You can take away all the guns you want to, but they will find something else to use which will result in persons being just as dead as if a firearm were used!
Fifth, the UMC delegates and leaders have done nothing constructively to bring about the banning of alcoholic beverages which have made more than a small contribution to violence, including use of firearms, in our society. Ah yes -- I already know -- we do have the old song & dance routine that "prohibition won't work!" And we know why -- too many church people and too many politicians have to have their little "drinks," don't they?
In closing I have to admit a small bit of bias. Yes, I am a gun owner -- of handguns, rifles, shotguns, and one of those horrible military type "assault" rifles! And I have a permit to carry the handguns loaded and concealed if I so choose. Further, it seems I am part of a "demonic" force in this country. One of our bishops did make a statement in a sermon to the folks of the General Conference about "...bowing down before the demonic forces of the National Rifle Association." I am a member of the National Rifle Association!
However, in spite of that confession on my part, it is clear that the anti-gun resolution adopted at the UMC General Conference proves beyond doubt that there is heap of hypocrisy when it comes to addressing the real issues of violence and the numbers of victims involved! All you have to do is look at the facts and supporting numerical statistics!
Sincerely,
Clayton D. Harriger
Ordained Elder in Full Connection, Western Pennsylvania Conference
of the United Methodist Church
Belsano PA 15922
Web Site: Circuit Rider's Range
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