PODCASTS

Tag: #politics

Capital Connection – Election Lessons & Campus Chaos – 11/10/23

Capital Connection – Election Lessons & Campus Chaos – 11/10/23

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Family Life’s “Capital Connection”

Among the “top topics” making news this week:

  • The Democratic Party is celebrating November 7 election results, while Republicans talk about regrouping, again.  Our panel takes stock on the implications of Tuesday’s vote.
  • Combatting Hate on the College Campus — it’s a national trend, and some PA and NY schools have made national news

These are some of the issues happening in Albany and Harrisburg this week, and you will hear commentary and analysis of current news on “Capital Connection”.

 

Michael Geer, the president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, and Jason McGuire of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, join Family Life News for our weekly roundtable on current political and cultural issues affecting residents of the Commonwealth and of the Empire State

Listen for “Capital Connection” during Friday’s Family Life Noon Report (online and on the air). This feature is also posted on our news podcasts pages, accessible 24/7 for listening, subscribing, downloading or sharing.

Faith Under Fire – Medical Authoritarianism – 11/09/23

Faith Under Fire – Medical Authoritarianism – 11/09/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:04 — 13.9MB)

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Two years ago, there was a split among public opinion about the efficacy of Covid-19 protection methods. <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/group-scientists-workers-holding-tubes_7333734.htm#query=group%20scientists&position=4&from_view=keyword&track=ais">Image by pikisuperstar</a> on Freepik

Now, our guest contends that even more widespread distrust of public health officials bodes a dangerous future, should another widespread epidemic arise.

A Christian psychology professor says the challenge came when scientists went beyond measuring and analyzing data, also making decisions which should be the prerogative of the elected leaders, or of the people.  Luke Conway is on the faculty of Grove City College. He says it became hard to “follow the science” when some of the scientists were against doing good science by refusing to consider other scientific evidence and other researchers’ observations. Conway contends that most of those who lean into authoritarianism, censorship or name-calling are primarily motivated by fear. He quotes Scripture that “perfect love casts out fear.” [1 John 4:8]

In this Family Life Interview, he also emphasizes the roles for politicians and the general public to take all the available information — from all angles and emphases — and come up with the best decisions. He ends the conversation with his prescription for navigating social strife and cultural disagreements. A Christ-mandated involvement will bring about restoration, consensus and hope — when people of faith start with a good dose of humility, a commitment to love those who disagree, and seek the best welfare of the city, nation or community.

 

“Early in the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci is reported to have said to Donald Trump: “I just do medical advice. I don’t think about things like the economy and the secondary impacts. I’m just an infectious diseases doctor. Your job as president is to take everything else into consideration.”  —Luke G. Conway, writing for the Institute for Faith and Freedom at Grove City, PA. His full essay on the topic (using a sports rulebook analogy) is e-published here.

Luke Conway is also a fellow at the Institute for Faith and Freedom, and frequently writes about academic research and socio-political trends.

 

Capital Connection – 11/03/23

Capital Connection – 11/03/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:11 — 14.0MB)

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        Family Life’s “Capital Connection“

PA House Bills Infringe on Religious Freedom  /  Pregnancy Care Centers subject to Discrimination  /  A Rocky Rollout to Marijuana Inc.

Christian Watchdogs Jason McGuire and Michael Geer work everyday to preserve faith and freedom in the public square.  They’re also talking about it on the radio.  Here’s what’s happening this week in Albany and Harrisburg.

For their voters guides, banquet information, position papers, issues updates and banquet information:

Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Humor – 11/02/23

Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Humor – 11/02/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:18 — 15.5MB)

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The so-called “Cancel Culture” seeks to silence divergent voices, and among those who are being squeezed are today’s humorists.

Comedy outlets — from television shows to magazines to stand-up clubs to websites — are facing increasing pressure to “toe the line” drawn by the “powers that be”.

One proponent of free speech is the leader of the satirical humor website The Babylon Bee. CEO Seth Dillon talks about political speech, social commentary, and the context of public dialogue in our culture. In this special Family Life Interview, Dillon tells about how The Bee was booted off of what was then called Twitter, after it posted a joke about a White House advisor.

Dillon talks about:

  • How humor is one of the best ways to speak the truth, especially when many others aren’t
  • Why many people — with public roles or not — have been frightened or shamed into silence
  • The state of comedy today, and what it says about us
  • Highlights of The Bee’s absurd jokes … which ended up becoming true, which he considers absurd.
  • Why TV shows, writers and online comedians need to skewer the foibles of Democrats and Republicans and social movements of all types.

 

Seth Dillon says his experience with deplatforming and censorship has placed him on the front lines of the battle for free speech in the public square. In addition to owning and writing for The Bee, Dillon travels the country to speak at conferences and college campuses about the effectiveness of humor, the “moral imperative of mockery”, and the dangers of silencing competing voices. Some of his videos are posted here. The website started as a Christian satire e-publication.

Dillon is in Pennsylvania next week to speak at the “Friends of the Family” Banquet of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. His presentation is Monday, November 6, at Hershey.

 

Capital Connection – 10/27/23

Capital Connection – 10/27/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:13 — 14.0MB)

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Family Life’s “Capital Connection“

Voters (at least some of us) go to the polls soon for the smaller-but-important odd-year elections. A preview of the 2023 PA and NY issues, plus the voting schedule

Why Ava’s Law is Worth Supporting (with an eye toward its intersection with abortion)

Transgender Surgeries on Kids in our two states

 

Christian watchdogs Jason McGuire and Michael Geer offer their weekly commentary on the latest news from the state capitals in Albany and Harrisburg. 

For further information on the issues and events discussed this week:

  • PA Family’s banquet November 6: Riley Gaines (University of Kentucky swimmer) & Seth Dillon (The Babylon Bee)
  • New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom’s commentary on Ava’s Law and loss of an infant
  • November 7 Election Previews: New York & Pennsylvania
Faith Under Fire – Politics & Faithfulness – 09/28/23

Faith Under Fire – Politics & Faithfulness – 09/28/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:48 — 13.5MB)

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Family Life’s “Faith Under Fire“

A national Christian watchdog is concerned that too many big-name  Christian leaders seem to emphasize political positions rather than theological ones — or at least can be perceived that way in the culture. How then should churches — and local church leaders — seek to be faithful to their Biblical callings, while still being socially and culturally active with the public issues of the day?

Christian journalist Warren Smith is our guest on this week’s “Faith Under Fire” interview. He commends the congregations which are visiting the sick, feeding the poor, and caring for neighbors. He also says there are important times for Christians to step into the social ills (and political battlegrounds) which surround the church buildings. Smith contends that some Christians are too easily drawn into supporting or opposing populist demagogues who thrive in chaos. That said, there are some issues in which he sees clear Biblical mandates which lead to a spiritual position which may align with only one of the partisan stances. 

He cautions, though, that Christians’ tone and techniques matter. Rather than arguing stridently with people who disagree with you, the most faithful — and successful — action often is to simply ask a few good questions. Have the other person tell you what they have determined and why they hold that stance. (Smith notes that Jesus himself took part in debates by simply asking questions, so that the person or group would come up with their own answers — often the correct ones.)

Ministry Watch is a North Carolina-based ministry which provides donors and philanthropists information about the finances and openness of large Christian organizations, and they highlight faithful ministries and mission agencies carrying out Gospel work in the U.S. and around the world.  Warren Cole Smith writes more about this feature’s topic of political stances and positions of Scripture-based truths here in his weekly column online. In it, he urges preachers and congregations to reduce people’s fear, not add to the fear that already is dominating parts of today’s culture.

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