The Old Gray Lady, AKA, The New York Times, continues its downward spiral with fake news and editorializing passed off as news. It is now surfacing that the story the NYT wrote that the Bush family—the former president and his brother—were not going to vote for the reelection of President Trump is patently false, made up, fabricated.

Speaking of the end of days, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:13, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Christ told his disciples in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”

There is deception all around us. We are in the midst of deception, living in a post-truth world where facts and truth and justice have fallen in the streets.

When the NYT story broke, a myriad of other news organizations, including Drudge, The Hill, The Independent, The Week, the mainstream media television networks, and others parroted and discussed the Times story ad nauseum without checking a single fact. These so-called reputable news organizations failed to look into the flimsy sourcing by the NYT, which quoted unnamed sources who were “familiar” with how the Bush family thinks. Ignored in the virtual trash can was a complete denial from spokesman for former president Bush, Freddy Ford, who told the Texas Tribune, “This is completely made up. He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote.”

As reported by The American Spectator, “Ford reiterated this statement to the Times, indicating that the former president would stay out of the election and speak only on policy issues, yet America’s “newspaper of record” has yet to correct the story.”

A tweet from President Trump thanked George P. Bush [son of former governor Jeb Bush] for his endorsement posted by The Hill: “George P. Bush says he’ll vote for Trump: “Only thing standing between America and socialism.””

Quoting unnamed sources, and sources familiar with the situation, or knowledgeable sources may be OK for sports reporting, but it’s not a good optic for politics. If someone doesn’t want to put their name to it, it’s probably suspect.

The problem is that when a fake news story is published and many news outlets just cut and paste and post it, it becomes fact immediately. This is when the newness of the “news” is at its peak. It circulates and settles in the minds of those who read it or hear about it. Then, days later, when the facts come out, the facts have far less impact and are seen or believed by far less people, so the damage is done even if there is a retraction.

This is why discernment is so desperately needed. It’s getting to the point that you cannot believe anything that you read from the news media, and probably not much of what you hear or see on television. These so-called “journalists” are liars and deceivers, deceiving and being deceived. Recognize the signs such as no named sources. Check things out for yourself.

https://dailyjot.com

President Trump holding a Bible in front of the rioter-torched St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House has sparked a riot of words. Democratic Party leaders trashed the president for hypocrisy—once again accusing another of exactly their own actions. But the faith community also piled on Trump, as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida Greg Brewer tweeted, “This is blasphemy in real time.” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington told CNN that she was “outraged” because Trump’s actions were contrary to the teachings of Jesus, saying that Christ lived a life of non-violence, but she stopped short of condemning the violence of rioters.

These same people who say the Bible is not a prop for a photo opportunity were silent when Hillary Clinton, the previous president, and Bill Clinton showed up at churches carrying their Bibles. But since it’s Trump, it’s unacceptable and blasphemy. Interesting tweet from a friend of mine, Joel Richardson:

“So many preachers expressing their disgust because POTUS used a Bible as a photo prop. Sorry guys, you’re not the only one who gets to use the Bible as a photo prop.”

To me, Joel’s statement here is far deeper than it appears on the surface. If pastors were using the Bible for more than a prop, perhaps we wouldn’t see so many systemic problems around the country because people would be living out their faith in truth and in love.

Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, seemed to understand Trump’s message. Franklin tweeted:

“After his speech from the Rose Garden Monday afternoon, President Donald J. Trump made a statement by walking through Lafayette Park to St. John’s Episcopal Church that had been vandalized and partially burned Sunday night. He surprised those following him by holding up a Bible in front of the church. Thank you, President Trump. God and His Word are the only hope for our nation. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).”

Christ had a view on the religious leaders of his time. In Matthew 23:27-28, He said,

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Part of the problem with the religious leadership of our time is that they cannot even agree on what is sound doctrine, leaving the flock scattered and confused. And another part of the problem is that both political and religious leaders often appear to judge others from the content of their own hearts, rather than against the standard of God’s Word.

https://dailyjot.com