There is truth and there are lies. The Bible is a book that contains the truth, whole and absolute, not partial and relative. The world seems to think that we can have partial truths, or that there is no such thing as absolute truth. When we fail to learn the truth and are satisfied with the many lies and deceptions of the world, we are playing into the hands of those who will lead us to our ultimate destruction.
Jesus spoke about truth very personally. He claimed emphatically that He is the truth, the way, and the life. As the Son of God, His claim has to be taken very seriously by anyone who is seriously seeking the truth. He went on to say that if we know the Truth (Him), we shall be free indeed. We are becoming less and less free in this country, and the changes have been taking place slowly but surely over the years.
The most recent loss of freedom relates to the present administration’s efforts to force the provision of birth control on religious groups whose beliefs run counter to such a proposal. That is a surface issue that is underlain by a more fundamental question, the freedom of religious expression/beliefs, without government interference. The First Amendment of the Constitution assures us of that right. Our freedom to hold to fundamental beliefs and to freely express them is passing before our eyes.
We are created by God to be free, to be able to make our own choices within reasonable constraints, in keeping with God’s laws. Governments receive their authority from God, and are mandated to serve in keeping with His commandments. As citizens, we are called upon to be obedient to governmental authority so long as it is in keeping with God’s provisions. We cannot and should not try to separate God’s will from any aspect of our lives.
On Freedom of Religious Expression
There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It speaks about the relationship of governments and individuals as regards the role of religious expression in this nation. The amendment reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and the petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
As free people, we have the right to express ourselves without governmental censure, to include our beliefs on religious/spiritual matters. The amendment was designed to keep government from mandating one particular set of religious beliefs on everyone, while at the same time prohibiting the government from mandating restrictions on the freedom of believers. It is obvious from the early founders of this nation that God had a powerful influence on the affairs of men as they pondered the future of this republic.
To remove God from the discussion about this country and all that takes place within it, is to assume a position of authority, when He is the only sovereign over everything. To tell people that they should not discuss religion in relationship to politics is to advocate that a fragmented approach to reality is superior to one that is holistic. We like to compartmentalize life into convenient cubicles that we can better understand and manage.
With the next writing, I will give a number of specific examples of the unreasonable attempts on the part of government and others to censure freedom of religious expression presently taking place in this country.
The Censure of Religious Expression
In recent months there have been numerous efforts to stifle religious freedom. What follows is a small sampling of examples:
An elementary school in Los Angeles prohibiting a fifth grader from singing "We Shine" in a talent show because it was offensive, and a violation of church and state. The principal said that the name of Jesus was mentioned too many times.
One person in New Jersey complained to the school board that religious symbols in the graduation ceremony were offensive and so they were covered up.
During the coverage of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament, NBC showed a group of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in which the words "under God" had been edited out.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg decided that clergy-led prayer would not be allowed in the official 9-11 memorial service.
Vanderbilt University ruled that a student organization cannot require leaders to share the group’s beliefs, goals, and values.
A couple in California was fined $300 for holding a Bible study in their home because they had violated a municipal code requiring a permit to do so.
In Whiteville, Tennessee, an atheist group complained that a citizen was uncomfortable with the cross on its water tower, and threatened expensive litigation, so the city removed it.
The list could go on citing many more examples, but the point is clear. We are facing a determined effort to remove religion from our cultural landscape in whatever form it appears. While many such instances are overturned as a result of citizen outrage or court action, determined attempts to oppress believers, especially Christians, continues on a daily basis.
So, where are you in this challenge, a player in the game, or a spectator on the sidelines?
..more to come
