SEE THE PRAYER BREAKFAST SPEECH THAT’S GRABBING HEADLINES:

 DOCTOR ATTACKS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, NATIONAL DEBT IN FRONT OF OBAMA

- Billy Hallowell

• Dr. Benjamin Carson delivered a noteworthy National Prayer Breakfast keynote speech in President Barack Obama’s presence
• Carson attacked political correctness as a “dangerous” threat to free speech and encouraged Americans to boldly share their views
• The pediatric neurosurgeon also provided his theories about the national debt, deficits, taxation and health care, taking stances that were opposed to the president’s
• Obama watched intently as Carson spoke for more than 25 minutes

One of the more unique speeches delivered at this morning’s National Prayer Breakfast came from Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Taking the stage before President Barack Obama’s faith-filled address, Carson spoke for more than 25 minutes, tackling issues ranging from education to personal responsibility. His keynote, while predicated upon the theme of Jesus Christ as his ultimate role model, also took a starkly political tone, advocating against some of the very policies the president has implemented.

Dr. Benjamin Carson receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2008 (Photo Credit: AP)

At the beginning of his speech, Carson shared an intense disdain for political correctness. Without getting too specific on the issue front, he said that Americans should stop being afraid to speak up and defend their beliefs; he also encouraged people to respect the individuals they disagree with. Carson held little back, condemning political correctness as “a horrible thing” that is “dangerous,” as it hampers freedom of thought and expression.

“We’ve reached a point where people are actually afraid to talk about what they want to say, because somebody might be offended,” Carson said, noting the example of people refraining from saying “Merry Christmas.” “We’ve got to get over this sensitivity and it keeps people from saying what they really believe.”

Carson encouraged discussion about societal issues, also pointing out education as an essential conundrum the country needs to confront. He highlighted his own path from poverty to success, sharing very personal details about his parents and early family life and subsequently described the importance of helping students seeking to advance academically through his Carson Scholars Fund.

The speech took an interesting turn when the doctor cautioned that moral decay and fiscal irresponsibility can have dire consequences — even for powerful countries like America. Here, he became even more pointed and impassioned.

“I think particularly about ancient Rome. Very powerful — nobody could even challenge them militarily…they destroyed themselves from within,” Carson continued. “Moral decay. Fiscal irresponsibility.”

While he said America’s issues are dire, he was positive that the nation can fix its ways, as there are bright and innovative people who simply need to come together to address the problems at hand.

“And one of our big problems right now…our deficit is a big problem,” he said, as Obama watched him intently. ”Think about it — and our national debt — $16 and a half trillion dollars.”

To illustrate just how massive the debt is, Carson told the audience that if they counted one number per second, it would take them 507,000 years to get to the sum total. The doctor said that the massive fiscal blunder is something that the nation must contend with. From there, he moved on to taxation, seemingly taking a stance in direct opposition to Obama’s.

“What about our taxation system — so complex there is no one that can possibly comply with every jot and tittle,” he noted, going on to call for a simpler (i.e. flat tax) system. ”When I pick up my Bible, you know what I see — I see the fairest individual in the universe — God — and he’s given us a system. It’s called tithe.”

You can watch the entire, 26-minute speech below:

For more of the article go to: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/07/prayer-breakfast-speaker-praises-jesus-gets-political-calls-political-correctness-dangerous-hammers-fiscal-irresponsibility/

WASHINGTON PLANS MEETING TO CALL ON GOD

Prayer breakfast to focus on a higher power
- Bob Unruh, WND

These days, when Washington has a problem, a new study commission is born. Or legislation is written. Or a rule or regulation is created. Or a tax.

But there are those who believe there is a higher power to whom Washington ultimately will answer, and that is the focus of the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast, Jan. 21 at 7 a.m. at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel.

The event will feature U.S. House Chaplain Father Patrick J. Conroy, “Harbinger” author Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.; Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson, Trinity Broadcasting Network host Jan Crouch; entertainer Pat Boone; WND CEO Joseph Farah; Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.; and others. State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf of Pennsylvania will be the master of ceremonies

“I think it’s important that we pray for our president,” Greenleaf told WND. “We leave other questions to God, but it’s important for us to pray for him and our Congress and others in authority.

“And pray that they put God first in their decision-making process,” he said.

Greenleaf said political party, in this instance, is not relevant.

“They’ve been elected now, and we’ve asked them to do their job,” he said. “I don’t think we should add to that, as American people.”

And, he asked, if people don’t rise above politics for a time of seeking God’s will, how can their representatives be expected to do that?

The event is scheduled to coincide with what, in Washington, is a time of speeches, accolades, political digs, food, wine, music, balls and celebrity parties.

In stark contrast, the prayer breakfast, say organizers, is a time for humbling and seeking God’s will.

Keynoting the decidedly politically incorrect event will be Cahn, whose bestselling book “The Harbinger” also has been made into a bestselling film documentary called “The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment,” produced by Farah.

Cahn’s message to America is to heed warnings from God, turn back to seeking His will, and prosper.

He doesn’t say it, but there’s definitely an “or else” implied, as described in his book, which recounts God’s warnings, or harbingers, to the nation of Israel before it eventually was broken up and taken into captivity by enemies.

Israel suffered, he posits, because it vowed to go it alone, without God, and come back bigger and stronger and better after being ravaged by its enemies. Cahn’s book warns that America right now is experiencing the same judgments, or warnings, from God and needs to heed them immediately.

He documents a series of stunning parallels between the Old Testament collapse of Israel and events in the United States, specifically the 9/11 attacks, the construction on the Ground Zero site and the economic crisis.

The guiding spirit of the prayer event is to be II Chronicles 7:14, which places the burden of a nation’s restoration not on its political leadership, military, social programs, economy or any other locus of earthly power.

Rather, it places the responsibility squarely in the hands of Christians: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/washington-plans-meeting-to-call-on-god/#jo4aGj4dtwZKfLJW.99