Glenn Beck Program, September 24, 2010

Friday’s Shows

Emphasis on History and Education

Today’s Theme

Infiltration of Government into Our Faith

Establishment Clause of the Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Separation of Church and State

• The words of church and state separation are not contained in the Constitution.
• They are in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Connecticut Baptist Church.
• Prior to the time of the founding, England had a state church.
• Reverend George Whitfield
• Prior to the founding, Reverend George Whitfield preached that religion was between the individual and God and not through the church. 
• Because of this view he was unable to preach within the church in England and had to preach outside.
•  He traveled extensively throughout the colonies and was very well known.  (In a prior program, Glenn discussed the importance of Whitfield and his influence on the founders. - Ed)

Hitler’s Germany

• Hitler co-opted the church in Germany, to the point that the cross was removed and a portrait of Hitler put in it’s place.
• Arrests and murders of religious leaders followed.
• Church services were monitored by government agents.
• He attempted to form a single government religion.
• He hated Christianity
• He had a guest on that lived through this period in Austria as a young girl.
• She noted that Hitler was elected with 98% of the popular vote.
• She described how the government took actions to come between the children and their parents and the children and religion.
• She discussed how the government took over one industry after another.

Contemporary Attempts by Government to Use Churches

• On May 6^th, Nancy Pilosi spoke to spiritual leaders about preaching in favor of immigration reform.
• (This week, President Obama held a conference call with religious leaders urging them to tout Obamacare. - Ed)
• Video clips of President Obama were shown in which he was declaring that his personal salvation was dependent on collective salvation.  (A prior program looked at collective salvation and showed that it was not part of Christianity – denounced by the Pope, but was part of liberation theology. – Ed)
• Glenn referenced his “40 Day Challenge” to get right with God.  (He feels that troubling times are coming and that people need to get right with their God as a first and most important step. – Ed)