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December 14, 2011
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America’s New “Intolerance” Code By Craig L. Parshall, Sr. Vice President & General Counsel  It is a startling day in Washington when both liberals and conservatives cry out against an Administration proposal on the grounds that it tramples free speech. But that is exactly what has happened as a result of the State Department’s concerted embrace, on Monday, of United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 16/18, which seeks to stamp out “intolerance [and] negative stereotyping” of persons “based on religion or belief.” The State Department meeting in Washington invited representatives of the press and some public interest groups, but has extracted pledges of secrecy from them about the details of the plan. The U.N.’s global initiative, called “The Istanbul Process,” grew out of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s participation last July in the conference hosted by the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC tried for some 12 years to get the U.N. to pass a “defamation of religion” measure that would condemn those who criticize Islam. Observers now cite the “Istanbul Process” as the new substitute for the OIC’s prior call for a U.N.-sponsored, free-speech killing, anti-blasphemy provision. Law Professor Jonathan Turley, widely considered to be on the liberal side of the spectrum, calls the U.S. State Department move a “disturbing agenda.” He notes that the initiative is aimed at “criminalizing intolerance [and] negative stereotyping” based on religion, and says that “the unstated enemy” in this U.S.-sponsored movement “is free speech.” Nina Shea, a Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (which the Senate voted to re-authorize this week, but only after overcoming a "hold" placed by Senator Dick Durbin, D-IL), was at Monday's meeting. She calls the whole conference a “very bad idea” and has grave doubts that the State Department’s assurances of protecting free speech will ring true. Commissioner Shea has a point. I have examined the United Nations HRC Resolution 16/18 that the United States has endorsed. In its 32 paragraphs, the phrase “free speech,” or any linguistic derivative, is conspicuously missing. Instead, there are two anemic references to such things as “dialogue” and “respectful debate of ideas.” Most shocking of all is the notion that the U.S. would endorse a proposal that radically alters First Amendment law. The Supreme Court has been careful to keep a very short, narrow list of exceptions to free speech, such as “incitement to imminent violence.” The Istanbul Process replaces that with language that would seek to suppress any speech that commits not only incitement to actual violence, but also “incitement to discrimination [or] hostility…” based on religion. Those of us who have fought for freedom of speech, and those advocates of true religious freedom around the world, can see the handwriting on the wall. And it is calling us to be vigilant. Click here to read other articles by Craig L. Parshall. |
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Member News 
Douglas Shaw & Associates adds new clients.
NRB screens Act of Valor – to be released in February 2012. Steven Spielberg’s Christmas Day release War Horse screened by NRB.
Et Cetera
Spotlighting Family Life Network – touching lives for Christ across New York and Pennsylvania.
Purchase R.C. Sproul’s classic book The Holiness of God. |
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Douglas Shaw & Associates Adds Clients  The full-service fundraising and communications agency Douglas Shaw & Associates (DSA) has announced the addition of several new clients, including: The Seeing Eye; Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF); International Justice Mission; Partners International; The Scott Mission (Toronto); Union Gospel Mission of Salem (Oregon); SAMMinistries; and Moody Radio. “Each of these organizations is renowned for excellence in their respective fields,” said Douglas Shaw, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DSA. “We’re privileged to serve each one and assist them in maximizing their impact both locally and around the world.” Click here to learn more about Douglas Shaw & Associates.PHOTO ABOVE: Doug Shaw, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Doug Shaw & Associates. 
Act of Valor Screened by NRB  On behalf of Grace Hill Media, the NRB staff recently had the privilege of screening Act of Valor, directed and produced by Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh.Act of Valor features a group of active-duty Navy SEALs who, during a covert mission to rescue a captured CIA operative, discover a potentially deadly terrorist plot against the United States. Although the story itself is only loosely based on true events, by using this real-life SEAL unit to portray the characters, and using both weapons and tactics that are real, viewers are struck with an overwhelming sense of authenticity and legitimacy as they watch the SEALs balance family and love of country in a powerful, intense and real performance. NRB President & CEO Dr. Frank Wright commenting about this heroic movie, observed that “With a gripping intensity and the clear mantle of authenticity, this film may well define for this generation the phrase: 'Freedom is not Free'." Act of Valor will open in theaters on February 17, 2012, with an R rating due to objectionable language and violence. NRB Screens Spielberg’s War Horse  Last week, Grace Hill Media provided NRB headquarters staff with the honor of screening War Horse, the story of a British racehorse and unlikely warhorse that is sure to become an American classic. Directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and based on a children’s novel and popular theater production of the same name, War Horse opens in movie theaters on Christmas Day.This highly anticipated film is a sweeping and visually stunning piece of cinematography that’s heartwarming yet dramatic in its unpredictability as it vividly depicts an all-but-forgotten part of WWI history. War Horse follows the early life of Joey, a handsome and strong racehorse raised by young Albert Narracott on a tenant farm in the English countryside. As WWI breaks out and Englishmen sail for the Continent, horses are purchased for battle in every village and town. Albert is too young to join the army, however, so Joey is sold and Albert is forced to part with his beloved colt. Joey is shipped to France where he embarks on a four-year adventure that crisscrosses enemy lines and highlights the intensity and fragility of relationships forged through the pain, disasters, and triumph of war. Though not suitable for very young children, War Horse is a family film that will endear itself to every generation of American moviegoer.
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Member Spotlight: Family Life Network  Family Life serves and supports families and individuals through Christian radio, the performing arts, and helpful training and resources – all with the purpose of touching lives with the Gospel of Christ.With nearly 70 radio signals across New York and Pennsylvania, Family Life has a heart to encourage listeners with quality radio shows, teaching programs, and radio drama for families. The network also produces news from a Biblical worldview, including in-depth features and localized weather reporting. Read More… PHOTO ABOVE: Rick Snavely, President & CEO, Family Life Network.  
The Holiness of God
By R.C. Sproul  “Are you intrigued by God’s holiness, or are you terrified?” asks Dr. R.C. Sproul’s book, The Holiness of God. For many, an encounter with the holy presence of the one true God “is a terrifying experience,” argues this book, “and it is the only way to cure our propensity to trust in ourselves and our own righteousness for salvation.” While many talk of God’s love, mercy, and grace, fewer believers take the time to dwell on God’s holiness. Yet studying God’s holiness – and man’s extreme deficiency by comparison – is an important step toward a fuller understanding of Scripture. Dr. Sproul is the Chairman and President of Ligonier Ministries, and also the Senior Minister at Saint Andrews Chapel (Sanford, FL). He has served as a professor at four seminaries, authored numerous books on theology and Christian living, and hosts the international radio program Renewing Your Mind. Click here to purchase the classic book, The Holiness of God, from the NRB Store. |
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