Dear John, it's the Family Beacon, your weekly source for news on the issues that matter most in Minnesota and beyond! This week:
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Podcast: Praying for Israel and Palestine |
Moses shares a biblical perspective on what is happening in Israel, and how we must pray for the innocent civilians on both sides of the war. Grace breaks down rallies that have happened in the Twin Cities this week, including supporters of Israel and some Minnesotans flying the Hamas symbol. Your hosts explain how there is no excuse for supporting the pure evil of the terrorist group Hamas. Plus, Grace and Moses discuss how MN’s new social studies standards have sparked controversy and how YOU can make a difference today. Get the facts, stand for truth.
Listen on Spotify |
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Alpha News: Controversial Social Studies Standards Set for Final Round of Public Comments |
Via Alpha News
A years-long, convoluted battle over new standards for social studies education in Minnesota’s public schools is nearing its end.
The public will have one last opportunity to weigh in on the standards before final adoption, the Center of the American Experiment explained, providing a link to where public comments can be submitted as well as instructions on what those comments can address.
The Minnesota Department of Education quietly published last week a “notice of intent” to adopt its proposed social studies standards in the Minnesota State Register. The same day, the MDE also published a “Statement of Need and Reasonableness,” or SONAR, which purports to explain why the new standards are reasonable and necessary for Minnesota public education.
The SONAR claims that Minnesota needs to “repeal and replace” its 2011 standards because the new standards “reflect continued academic research related to learning and instructional practice, and are responsive to changing needs of society.” But some experts have cast serious doubt on this claim.
The Center of the American Experiment published a scathing report last year by Dr. Wilfred McClay, a nationally renowned expert on K-12 education, which lambasts the revised standards and their corresponding “benchmarks,” stating that “the radical ideological assumptions behind [the revised standards] amount to a repudiation of everything that the serious study of history and civics has ever meant in this country, or any country."
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WORLD: The Evil Actions of Hamas |
Via WORLD
The murderous assault on the people of Israel is an illegal and immoral attack undertaken by Hamas, which now shows its true identity as a terrorist organization. The attack, shocking in its murderous brutality, should be condemned by every government around the world. It is important to note that the attacks by Hamas violate the fundamental principles of international law and the moral structure that undergirds international law. Perhaps we should not be surprised since Hamas rejects many of those same basic principles of international law. Indeed, one can see just how extreme Hamas is simply by observing the fact that it has been designated as a terrorist organization by governments and that the illegitimacy of Hamas is a point of agreement by governments as diverse as Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
Hamas, like other violent Islamist movements, is responsible for terrorism and violence targeting other Muslims as well as Israel. In its attack on Israel Hamas was indiscriminate in killing young people at the Tribe of Nova music festival and those who happened to be in their way. If a Muslim teenager or a Christian mother or a Jewish citizen happened to be in front of Hamas, those people were gunned down. At present, we don't fully know the identities of all of those who were killed. Hamas is indiscriminate in its use of terrorism, and this puts it in the same camp as Boko Haram, al Qaeda, the Taliban, and others who terrorize their Muslim neighbors and attack other targets of their vitriol, most notably Christians, Jews, or minority Muslims.
What is remarkable are the crowds in the streets of Western countries, including the United States, chanting slogans in favor of Hamas. Perhaps there's some confusion among idealistic young people, but that is inexcusable ignorance. Hamas is an illegitimate organization because it calls for the extinction of another state and the elimination of a people. No government is legitimate that kidnaps civilians or uses human shields.
The kidnapping of a hundred or more Israelis is particularly perverse. Think about what that means. Some are students. Some are professionals. Some are elderly. Some need insulin or other medicines. Some are children. At least one is a long-time peace activist beloved by Palestinians. All of these people were dehumanized by Hamas.
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Early Voting For Municipal Elections Has Begun |
Early municipal voting has begun, and we're here to help with that process by pointing you towards some good resources. First, click here to get your voter guide that was produced by one of our allied organizations for key school board races! Please note that this voter guide does not include every school district in Minnesota. So, if your district is not covered, google school board candidates in your area and get in touch with them to see who represents your values
You can also click here to learn more about municipal races in your area and across the state.
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Support a Local Pregnancy Resource Center with Coffee Purchase! |
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Support a local Minnesota Pregnancy Resource Center, Options for Women East, all throughout the month of October! 15% of proceeds from purchases in October at Seven Weeks Coffee, a pro-life coffee company, support Options East and other PRC monthly sponsors. |
Women's Life Care Center Fall Fundraising Banquet |
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Pro-Life Action Ministries Sidewalk Counseling |
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Join our allies at Pro-Life Action Ministries on October 24th in Brooklyn Park for sidewalk training! They train ordinary men and women in peaceful, legal methods of saving babies from abortion, by offering literature and words of truth and love to parents entering the five local abortion facilities in the Twin Cities. Sidewalk prayer supporters are also welcome. No charge. Contact [email protected] or (651) 797-6366.
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Upcoming Abria Pregnancy Resources Gala |
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Our allies at Abria Pregnancy Center have their fundraising gala coming up! Click the link below to learn more and purchase tickets. |
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True North Legal is an initiative of Minnesota Family Institute, fighting to protect life, family, and religious freedom in our legal system. Learn more about True North Legal and its crucial work at truenorthlegal.org. |
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Get the Parent Resource Guide
Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same! Click to order your copy today: |
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Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council’s vision for strong families, communities, and culture through Christ. In this season of unprecedented challenges to life, family, and religious freedom, please consider giving us your support so that we can continue to be YOUR voice. Click here to give now.
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John Helmberger, CEO Minnesota Family Council and Institute |
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Jeff Evans, Incoming CEO Minnesota Family Council and Institute |
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Two Ways to Give
Support our grassroots policy and elections efforts through Minnesota Family Council (MFC). Support our education and outreach efforts with a tax-deductible contribution to Minnesota Family Institute (MFI). |
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