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Oct30
In Appreciation Of Freedom!
Filed under: Featured, Uncategorized, ladybugs; Tagged as: ben stein, cbs, freedom, religion, speech, sunday morning27 Comments
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My daughter sent me this the other day. It got me thinking, as it is meant to, how lucky we are, to be able to share our thoughts and beliefs freely. I, for one am thankful and grateful, that we have freedom of speech and religion, and are free to share our thoughts and concerns, without going to war about it.
While, I did not see this segment on CBS Sunday Morning, I felt it was very much worth sharing.
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, ‘Merry Christmas’ to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .. If people want a creche, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities, and we aren’t allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But, there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from, and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny, it’s intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham’s daughter, was interviewed on the Early Show, and Jane Clayson asked her ‘How could God let something like this happen?’ (regarding Hurricane Katrina ).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, ‘I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing, and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?’
In light of recent events… Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago), complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped, and we might damage their self-esteem ( Dr. Spock ’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he’s talking about. And we said okay.
Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with, ‘WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.’
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it….. No one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don’t sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
See where the cutest ladybugs live!
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27 Responses to “In Appreciation Of Freedom!”
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I can’t stand to hear Stein speak because his voice irritates me, but the words he had to share are wonderful and so true, I was happy to read them hopefully they will reach many.
Jude´s last blog ..Filling Out Application Tips
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@ Jude,
Yes, I agree with you. I’m just glad that we live in a country, where we can speak our mind, like he did here!
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You do realize most of this letter is a hoax. Ben Stein only said the first paragraph or two. How hard is it to play journalist and fact check something before reprinting it? With freedom of the press and freedom of speech also comes responsibility. In my family it’s my sister who sends me every one of these emails. http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_ben_stein_christmas.htm
turnip´s last blog ..Preparing The Garden For Winter -
@ turnip,
I do my research, and I simply am grateful, that we have the freedoms we do in this country. I don’t consider this a hoax, but rather intended to provoke thought. Sorry, if you were offended.
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this is really helpful not only for me but also for those who will visit and read your post…
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I added your blog to bookmarks. And i’ll read your articles more often!
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@ Nova,
Thank-You for your visit, and kind words! Hope to see you here again!
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@ Floost,
Thank-You! I look forward to seeing you here again!
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Well in terms of who said what, I can understand the comment made about “doing one’s homework,” however, it is a very clear message. I’m not a religious person per se – in fact I believe it is “religion” and the creation of the man-made variety that’s gotten us into such a bleak hole. However, focusing on “God” whatever you consider him or her or both to be – call it the Force if you will – there’s a bunch of truth in this. It is our belief system or lack thereof that is causing so many problems.
Freedom of speech is a huge issue online – so I will say that the first comment by the first person got on my nerves. Does it really matter what his voice sounds like? The guy has an IQ that is huge! And yes, it is the first two paragraphs that tell the whole story. So assuming someone tacked on the rest, well didn’t you ever play the game where someone whispered a piece of a story in your ear, you leaned over and repeated it, etc., etc., around a circle (when you were a child)? The end product was, at the very least, interesting LOL!
Sorry I ramble, but whether you believe or not, consider yourself religious or not, it’s the PRINCIPLES behind this post that need serious reflection.
Diane´s last blog ..Sitting Still Is Not Going To Help You -
I absolutely love CBS Sunday Morning and Ben Stein.
corrin´s last blog ..I make an awesome zombie -
@ Diane,
Thank-You very much for clarifying the point here. I couldn’t agree with you more!
The wars we are in right now, are based on religious and cultural beliefs. Notice, how that area of the world hates Israel ( homeland of the Jewish people). Unless, my memory fails me that was what was behind, Hitler’s Holocaust and WWII.
That was the time when you could be put to death, if it was even thought that you were a Jew. That is what prompted me to post this article, because we are free here to express our religion and beliefs. Nobody has to feel the same, but we can put it out in the open and not have to hide.
Besides, I really like the message in the post, and what Ben Stein had to say, even if the rest may be somewhat distorted!
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@ corrin,
I do too! They always have good and enjoyable topics!
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I agree with the freedom of speech. Everyone has an opinion and thankfully we have a vehicle that we can express what we are feeling or wanting to say. Keep up the good work girl!
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@ Linda,
Thank-You for being supportive and thankful along with me!
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Great read! Thanks for posting this. I love Ben Stein, and I have heard him say such things (although not all at once like it is here) and have heard Graham and others basically say what she said.
So just because the statement in its entirety is called “urban legend” does not make the statement untrue!!! Plus, I tend to think that some of the stuff on those urban legend sites that “claim” to expose urban legends are urban legends themselves. I have found several errors on such sites, and have contacted them. The only response I get is, “Well, we believe our own side of the story to be true.” :-p
Rebecca´s last blog ..In My Mail Today -
@ Rebecca,
I posted this mostly because it is thought provoking, and I applaud the message.
If nothing, else even if others have distorted the message to some degree, the message is based on truth and facts. I for one, am glad that Ben Stein spoke his mind, for his part of the content here! -
Very interesting to see that Ben Stein is such a thought provoking person. Whether he said all of what was written doesn’t matter. That we take what we read and make use of it is what will change the world.
Karen´s last blog ..Halloween Handbag -
@ Karen,
Yes, I totally agree with you. Thanks for this on spot comment!
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I don’t think for a second that the degree to which we do or do not honor God has anything at all to do with natural disasters.
vein´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at -
Yes, however, in times of natural disasters, that is often what you hear amongst the turmoil. “How could God let this happen?”
I believe, there is a time, a reason, and a season for all that happens. Often, it may just be beyond our understanding.
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Hey Barbara!
I came by to watch you exercise your right to speak your mind along with Mr. Stein, Ms. Graham, Jude, Turnip, Nova, Floost, Diane, Corrin, Linda, Rebecca, Karen and Vein…ALL!
What a tremendous privilege we all have here to speak and to reason with each other! May we all guard it always with all that we are and have.
As you well know, I am not a proponent of the “green” revolution because I don’t believe the planet needs saving. But I do LOVE the fact that I can come here and over to Forced Green and OIMS and to a ga-jillion other places and put my oar in without fear of anyone trying to silence me by force.
Agreement and unity are terrific things among people. But the freedom to voice disagreement is, in many respects, even better! I may not agree with what you have to say. Indeed, I may not even want to hear what you have to say (and vice versa), but may God help us if we ever lose the RIGHT to say it.
Of course, the freedom of religion is closely akin to to the freedom of speech.
So, my green Sister, BLOG ON!!!!!
Brad´s last blog ..No Allah. No Virgins. -
BTW, I don’t disagree with anything Mr Stein had to say!
Brad´s last blog ..No Allah. No Virgins. -
@ Brad,
Thank-You so much for your valuable words! I’m in total agreement with you!
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Those of us living in West Berlin were abuzz with anticipation because the cries for freedom began to crack the Iron Curtain.Still, if you’ll pardon the pun, nothing was set in stone. In February of that same year, Chris Gueffroy and Christian Guadian, believing the standing order to shoot those who tried to escape had been lifted, made an attempt to breech the wall.
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@ nintendo dsi r4,
Thank- You for stopping by and sharing this valuable comment. It is greatly appreciated!
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Although I don’t agree with all the Ben Stein says I do think that he is a thoughtful man who believes in our country and our freedom.
ConnieFoggles´s last blog ..Winners Sunsweet Ones -
@ Connie Foggles,
I agree with you. I just wanted to convey the message, of how lucky we are in this country,
to be able to express our freedoms openly.
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