Are Christians in America being driven underground? The answer is a resounding yes! Christians are being shoved out of mainstream society at an alarming rate. Everywhere we look, there is overwhelming evidence to support this fact. To begin with, laws have been enacted that ban any and all references to Jesus in public places during the holiday season and Easter, the mere mention of the Christian faith is prohibited within our schools, and finally, an ever-growing number of churches are forced to cave in to sociological demands to appease certain minority groups. These are all signs that we’re quickly heading toward an age where true, Bible believing Christians will be forced to meet clandestinely.
Heaven forbid if one says “Merry Christmas” in public!
Sad to say, we’ve been forced to take Christ out of the public arena. The fact that cities and counties everywhere are caving in to looming threats of lawsuits from the ACLU and individuals who feel they’ve been offended by the word Christmas or by a nativity scene is alarming. More so than ever before, we’re keeping the light of Christ under a bushel; we’re hiding Him in a closet and treating Him like He’s our dirty little secret. Nowadays, private and public businesses alike are obligated to say “Happy Holidays” and if they make the slightest mention of Christ, they’ll risk losing customers or face potential lawsuits from individuals claiming to be insulted. On the same token, not only are employees who happen to be believers afraid to discuss their faith in the Lord for fear of being reprimanded or facing on the job discrimination or perhaps being fired, they must surreptitiously whisper Merry Christmas to another, but only if he or she says it first. How sad. The way the offended individuals make it sound, it’s a wonder that all of civilization wasn’t emotionally scarred for life by having to hear the word “Christmas” in the past.
I’m going to say the dirty word again:
Christmas.
CHRISTMAS!!!
There, that felt pretty good.
CHRISTMAS!!! CHRISTMAS!!! CHRISTMAS!!!
Even better.
CHRISTMAS!!! Seriously though, I fear that soon, the same laws that have stricken the word Christmas from our public vocabulary will be expanded to affect our private lives as well. And it goes even further downhill from there. If this insanity isn’t stopped, Christianity will become illegal. Yes folks, if Nicole Kidman can be quoted as saying: [1]"This is a small gesture and I would just like to say I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year," to a bunch of little kids at a special screening of "The Golden Compass" in Sydney Australia, then by all means, we can do it too!
What are they going to tell our kids next?
The obstacles that Christian parents face while raising their young to become upstanding citizens can be overwhelming, to say the least. The peer pressure that children face every day, which must be counterbalanced with proper instruction, is daunting enough for Christian parents. Add to that, the false realities that are planted within our children’s minds such as evolution and relativism, along with a myriad of non-Christian religions and all manner of sexual deviancies, which are being explored and promoted within our schools. On the surface, investigating other religions may seem harmless; however, being exposed to the niceties of these religions will only make them seem appealing to the young, impressionable minds of our youths. From first hand experience, I can say with absolute certainty that if one is not firmly grounded in their faith, one can be led astray by other religions. Because of these issues, among the myriad of others, more parents than ever before are home schooling their children.
There is an ongoing debate as to whether a Christian family should educate their children via public schools or home school. On one hand, it is good to provide a safe haven for our children from the pressures to misbehave, to do drugs, to have pre-marital sex and all manner of other horrendous things. On the other, it is good to be a light for the world. But if we’re not allowed to discuss Christ in the work place, then how can we expect our children to fulfill the Great Commission within the schools? Until society becomes as sensitive to Christians as it is to Muslims and Atheists, Christians will be forced to educate our children at home. However, I fear that our parental rights to home school our children will soon be taken away if we continue to allow society to walk all over us.
Jesus who?
Proper instruction is necessary for growth and maturity; however, due to the lack of Bible-based teaching in many of the churches today, Christians are forced to form home churches where, for the time being, they can learn the Bible without fear of retribution from society.
Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is given by inspiration of God for correction and instruction. Despite this, the authoritative Word of God, the Bible, has been re written, chopped and reworked in so many ways that many versions are barely recognizable. Moreover, the world has been attacking Christianity for so long on the basis that it promotes intolerance, violence and hatred that in an effort to keep the doors open—and their coffers filled—the majority of pastors are tailoring their sermons in order to avoid offending someone who might be living a deviant lifestyle. The aftermath could be devastating if they don’t.
True, church is a business, but by giving in to society, not only is the growth of the one or two stymied, but also, the entire flock’s growth is hindered. Think about this: As a leader, which would you rather answer to God for: for trying your best to bring others to repentance, or for allowing your flock to blindly wander down a path that only leads to death?
Omitting certain parts of instruction to please one or two is the same as disrespecting God’s Word. Because I am of the firm belief that the entire Bible is to be believed, not just the parts that will please our current culture, I must ask: If one is going to teach from only certain parts of the Bible—the parts that will coddle the feelings of the minority—but won’t save them from an eternity without God, then what’s the point in referring to the Bible as a basis for one’s teaching?
Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not saying that all of the churches are caving in to sociological demands. What I am saying is that nowadays, the majority of preachers are putting on a politically correct song and dance routine that couldn’t possibly upset anyone. Rather than feed their followers the meat of the Gospel, the majority of clergy members are stuffing the fluffy, side items down churchgoer’s gullets, which are not filling in the slightest. People go to church because their souls are hungry for the Word and because they’re thirsty for the living water. If I want to see an extravagant performance, I’ll go to a circus.
John 3:17 proclaims: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Just because a homosexual happens to be sitting in one of the pews doesn’t mean that sexual sin shouldn’t be brought up. People go to church to hear the Word of God, not to be led astray. Suppose that there was a murderer sitting in the audience, would a preacher decline to preach that murder is wrong for fear of offending the murderer? Jesus didn’t tell us to pick and choose which of His teachings to adhere to. And I don’t recall God saying that either. If He did, someone please correct me.
For those who think that their feelings have been scorched by the Word of God, realize this: Not only do true Christians speak out against sexual sin, such as homosexuality, bestiality and fornication, but also, it’s in opposition to violence, hatred, course speaking, disobedience, stealing, murder, and a whole host of other social ills. Contrary to what some believe, Christianity does not promote violence and intolerance; it promotes love for fellow man, even our enemies. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
The will of God is that none shall perish, that everyone shall come to repentance and have everlasting life. However, salvation is dependent upon repentance. Jesus Himself hung out with “sinners” because He loved them. It was for the “lost sheep” that He came into the world. In Luke 15:7, Jesus said: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (KJV)
If you happen to be a church leader or pastor that is satisfying the voracious appetite of your congregants, I want to personally thank you. You deserve a commendation for having the courage to obey Christ by nourishing the souls of your followers despite what society says. You are a rarity. A true gem. Your church is an anchor for lost souls and I hope that many people will flock to your church.
If and we continue to let the world have its way with us, laws will be passed giving minorities the right to sue clergy members for preaching straight from the King James Version of the Bible, from Romans chapter 1 in particular, and win.
What can we do to prevent becoming a socialist state?
Admittedly, I stand guilty of sitting idly by and keeping my mouth shut while this madness seized hold of society, but not anymore. Though second Chronicles 20:15 proclaims that the battle is God’s, not ours, we can still fight back with prayer, remaining faithful to the Lord, and by standing up for our rights. If we do not stand up for our rights, then pastors will soon be jailed for preaching the whole Word of God, our children could be removed from our homes due to our religious convictions and the government will be able to shut down a business because they’ve hired an outspoken Christian.
At the very least, we can do our best to ensure that if society is going to ban discussions on Christianity within our schools, workplaces and everywhere else, we can make sure that they’ll prohibit any discussions about other religions as well.
[1]In the article dated December 18, 2007: “Wish upon this star - Nicole Kidman” Alyssa Braithwaite, National Entertainment Writer, quoted Nicole Kidman as saying, "This is a small gesture and I would just like to say I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year." http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22944598-5001026,00.html
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