This is a continuation from my last post since this is a
relatively hot topic the past few decades. I point to the removal of the Ten
Commandments from courthouses as being a step away from the First Amendment of
the Constitution. I guess we need to quote this to really get an understanding
of what is said:
Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress
of grievances.
This was actually the third article of the Bill of Rights
which is lost by many, but this is a technicality that is not the issue. The
irony of this is the “freedom of speech” is often separate from the “freedom of
religion” in most people’s minds. The same people who force the removal of the
Ten Commandments also force their voices to be heard. They are missing the
point!!
Freedom of religion means no state sanctioned church that
one is required to attend, it does not mean the state is required to insulate
us from religion. As I write this we are in a battle over the Confederate
Battle Flag, which is the symbol of a “racist” attitudes that has been pushed
to the forefront by a shooting in a black church. Those who point to how this
nut was raised and how society failed him are silenced by those who feel the
flag must be the root cause.
Well what the confederate flag represents is still very
debatable, those who say slavery and racism have valid arguments, but miss the
point of state rights is typical of how history gets modified. The same thing
can be said for the Ten Commandments on the court house steps, they are not a
symbol of religious tyranny but rather the basis on which most of today’s laws
are based. If you read the first 5 books of the Bible you will notice the
system of justice set up for Israel is much like what is in place today.
As yourself this, why is it ok for an atheistic scientist to
be allowed to promote evolution in the class room, yet a theistic one cannot
talk about creation? Walter Veith has some very compelling arguments that support
Young Earth Creationism, but in the push for freedom from religion that is not
allowed to be discussed in the classrooms. The hypocrisy is interesting that in
one breath “they” will demand freedom of speech for the porn industry and in
the other demand censorship from those in government who feel the moral compass
has been ignored based on the same amendment to the Constitution.
We have missed the mark! I am not saying the state must lead
a prayer at the beginning of each school day, but if a school so desired to it
should be protected by that same first amendment. Again we are missing the point,
freedoms do not give us carte blanche to say what we want. The intent was to
allow all views to be open to all and not suppressed like Christianity is today
in the government. The intent was to allow open debate without fear of the
government coming down on you. I believe that is why freedom of religion,
speech and the press are in the SAME amendment, so NONE shall be suppressed.
Be it a flag, a Bible or Hustler magazine we need to
understand that with freedom comes responsibility. As much as I feel YOU need
Jesus, I also accept that I can do nothing to change your heart other than
exercise my freedoms to try to compel you to change your heart. God’s number 1
commandment (based on the Jewish interpretation) is freedom and it comes down
to freedom to follow God. That is the beauty of our relationship with God since
if it’s forced it’s tempered and becomes contrite.
Back to South Carolina and Dylann Roof. Was it a lack of
exposure to God that caused his parents to separate, caused his support system
to ignore him, to allow him to be lost in hate all culminating in a murderous
rage or was it a flag? In Dylann’s instance freedom was denied from the get go
and will now be for the rest of his life. What if Dylann’s parents were allowed
Christian counseling from social services would things have been different for
those 9 souls?
Think about it, followers of Jesus are being pushed OUT of
the government since their voice is being silenced. A good Christian counselor
will go into ministry verses social services since they are free in one
environment and not free in the other. I am not saying the “state” should
integrate religion into the system, but allow it when there are proven results.