Through the ages, America has shone the brightest when she stood for not only liberty but also godliness and virtue. Indeed, the strength of our beloved nation rests upon the moral integrity of her citizens. John Adams wrote to the Massachusetts Militia in October 1798:
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
Our Founders understood that our our Republic would succeed only if Americans pursued virtue. Only a people possessing stalwart inner constraints would thrive in a limited-government setting. The pastors and clergy of the day understood well the Psalmist’s words:
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. [Psalm 33:12a]
In 2018 the culture war escalated. Right and wrong stood in a stark contrast seldom seen before. The prophet Isaiah’s warning describes America today:
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [Isaiah 5:20]
One has only to read the 2016 DNC Platform to ascertain the left’s worldview. They celebrate abortion, same-sex “marriage,” the “trans” ideology, and marijuana legalization. Here in Illinois, many left-wing political leaders want to drop the mandatory school age to 3 years old, and are striving to pass legislation that would require teaching about homosexuality positively in government schools (SB 3249) from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The left rejects biblical standards of right and wrong, especially when it comes to sexuality and the denial of life, liberty and justice for innocent humans in the womb.
On the other hand we have the 2016 GOP Platform (which every Republican candidate should swear to uphold). The distinction could not be more clear on the issue of abortion. Conservatives assert that abortion should be illegal in all cases and the U.S. Constitution should be amended to ban the procedure.
We assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.
Conservatives condemn the SCOTUS decision that legalized same-sex “marriage;” recognize the privacy rights of students not to have to share restrooms, locker rooms and showers with gender-confused peers; and would prohibit the medical abuse of children who are susceptible to the “trans” ideology.
Conservatives believe that encouraging drug use and intoxication in society is counterproductive and will lead to greater dependence on the welfare state.
The two worldviews–“progressive”/secularist and conservative/Christian–are diametrically opposed. America’s future and the well-being of our communities hangs in the balance. The Apostle Paul admonishes us in his letter to the church at Ephesus:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6:12-17]
The Illinois Family Institute strives to do just that. In partnership with you, we work hard to speak out against the darkness threatening Illinois and our nation. In the gospel of Matthew we read,
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:13-16]
Before 2018 comes to an end, we invite you to partner with IFI and be salt and light in our state and our nation by helping us meet our end-of-year matching challenge. Your gifts allow us to be your voice in the public square.
We still have a way to go to meet our matching challenge goal. We still need to raise approximately $30,000 to achieve the full potential of this opportunity. So, I am asking you to do two things:
First, please pray for us. We know that IFI would cease to exist if it weren’t for the prayers of faithful people like you.
Second, please consider making the most generous donation you can to support our work and ministry.
To make a credit card donation over the phone, call the IFI office at (708) 781-9328. You can also send a gift to P.O. Box 876, Tinley Park, IL 60477.
With your partnership, we will work diligently to expose the radical ideologies and activists who seek to push us further away from Judeo-Christian morality and our rich heritage of trust in God.
Sincerely,
David E. Smith, Executive Director
Illinois Family Institute
P.S. If you aren’t yet a monthly donor, please consider becoming one. Monthly support help us forecast funding into the future. That in turn helps us to be even better stewards of the resources God provides to us through His people. Click here to learn more.
