I’m sitting here thinking about God’s word and how important it is to be in it everyday—meditating on it, storing it in our hearts. Even when we can’t understand it, still allowing our hearts to be opened up to what the Lord has given us. When I look back to the different stages of life I’ve lived and the times I can remember God moving and the times I remember nothing, there is one thing that is distinct: God moved when I was in His word. Well before I ever made it to a local church or started hanging out with other Christians. At one point, I started reading “Breakfast with Jesus.” I didn’t really feel the need to go to church or to change anything about my life though. I was intrigued, I think, because it was written by a pastor in SoCal and that was where I was from (at the time, I was living in NorCal). I think I made it ¾ of the way through before I decided to get online and find some sort of Bible study. I found a “read the Bible in a year” website and started there. Not long after I had started reading and studying the scriptures, miracles started happening. From the outside, it’s always easy to come up with worldly reasons why things happen, but I knew it was God. Money appeared out of nowhere in my wallet…seriously! When we had no formula for the baby and no money, WIC showed up in the mail. That just does not happen. With it was a note from one of the ladies that simply requested I call her to set up an appointment. God had to have moved on her to do that. Then, the desire to go to church came—such a desire that I was willing to end my 4-year relationship with my bf (at the time) over it. I made it to church once, with only my two children by my side. Of course, Satan didn’t want anything keeping me close to the Lord, so all hell broke loose in my life. I then spent four years bouncing all over and trying to figure out what to do with myself. Again I got back into God’s word. And again He started moving, but this time in a much bigger way. In such a way, that my entire life has been changed and it will never be the same. Looking back though, I can see how once I engaged in the Word of God, He came alive to me personally.
I’ve come to realize it’s because it is the living word of God. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 KJV). When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to this nasty earth, suffered a horrendous death and poured out His blood on the cross for us, we allow God to move upon us. That’s just the beginning. So many think to just stop there and continue about their everyday lives. But the truth is we need to couple that belief with daily communion with the Lord through His word and prayer. Then the infilling of the Holy Spirit will be more than we could ever hope for. We will see God move in our lives, we will see prayers answered, and we will see miracles happen. Our eyes are opened to the truth of the world in which we live. Our ears are opened to hear the Almighty speak and lead us through every day, serving His purpose. Of course we’re not perfect and we mess up (sometimes over and over before we start to get it right). That’s all the more reason to be in God’s word—to feel His love pour out when we’re hurting, to gain strength when we feel like we just can’t get through another trying time, to know the voice of conviction when we need to repent, to be free from condemnation when Satan tries to rest that upon our shoulders. But, most of all, to know our Creator and Savior and to say without a doubt that He knows us and will not answer on the Day of Judgment “…I never knew you: depart from me…” (Matt 7:23 KJV).
He is so amazing and I just want to spend every moment of everyday in His presence. Unfortunately I’m not that disciplined, but I know that through Him all things are possible. That means I don’t have to look back with regret or sadness. I can look forward with hope and joy. Most importantly, I can share His love with whoever will open their hearts to receive it. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17 KJV)
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
When I Say I'm A Christian
I saw this on someone's blog - who got it from someone else's site - and it speaks volumes to what my professed faith in Jesus Christ truly means...
WHEN I SAY I'M A CHRISTIAN POEM...
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost"
That is why I chose this way.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
WHEN I SAY I'M A CHRISTIAN POEM...
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost"
That is why I chose this way.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What's The Point?
The shower seems to be the only place lately where I have time to just let my thoughts roam. Today, however, my thoughts took a turn toward frustration. Bothered is perhaps a better word. Not sure—bothered and frustrated, maybe. At God. Is that ok? Not that my belief or faith are fading, but more so that I just don’t understand.
I’m sure most people have heard the Biblical arguments against abortion. Here are a few:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (Jer 1:15)
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Ps 139:13-14)
“Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:15)
Well, to take these verses and step away from the topic of abortion leads to my frustration from lack of understanding.
If the Lord created each of us—a unique being with a soul that defines who we are, and He knows the end from the beginning (“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…” [Is 46:9-10])—then why allow those children to be born who will never be His, who will never accept Him, who will choose an eternity of hell fire over an eternity with our loving Creator: the very one who gave them life to begin with? I’m not talking murder of children (or even the unborn) here; I’m wondering why God even creates those who will never turn away from this wicked world? People who eventually only lead to the destruction of themselves and those around them, never opening their hearts to hear God calling them. It seems it would save all of us a lot of pain, heartache, temptation, and so on, if all those who were created, were those that God already knew would return to Him. For that matter, why even allow us to be born of sin at all? Why not just create us perfect beings, perfect souls already prepared for eternity in Heaven?
Instead, we’re here—suffering through this dreadful world, clinging to our faith in Him to get us through each day. We’re stuck battling: battling with our own flesh, that of others, plus Satan and his devices. We’re born into families with bonds that will eventually be broken, and painfully broken, because some will choose life through Christ Jesus and some will not. “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Luke 12:53). We develop relationships with and love others who walk in the way of the Lord, only to later watch them turn from what they know in such a way that it hurts everyone around them. How do you save someone from themselves? We can’t. Only Jesus can. But then, how many can we pray for? Our families, our friends, our enemies, random people and situations, ourselves—the list goes on and on. To really pray for all the people who cross my path or enter my mind, I would have to quit my job.
So what’s the point? Why the suffering, the pain, the time dwelling on this earth when it’s not anything we really belong to? Our own pain from life is bad. To feel the pain of others and not be able to do anything about it hurts. But even more, the pain of watching someone turn away from God or just refuse Him altogether is excruciating. What’s the point to all of this? To have God’s promises a little at a time, all the while fighting with everything you have inside to hold onto them; hoping, praying that one day it will all be over and we’ll be made perfect to live eternity with our Savior; absorbing the sadness of those around us because they’ve chosen a different path; losing the people we’ve grown to love because they don’t (refuse, more often than not) to understand. They don’t understand, so we’re just a little nutty. That’s ok. But, what’s the point?
Why not get rid of the entire process of elimination and just create those perfect souls to live in Heaven? Because honestly, I’m tired of it. It’s hard—the reality (yes, reality check!) of living a life for Jesus. It’s hard! There is no “Oh, I accepted Jesus so now I live this happy-ever-after Christian life.” It’s a struggle, it’s sacrifice, it’s painful, and it’s frustrating. The worst part (or best depending on your perspective) is that once you’ve tasted the Spirit, you can’t just turn away from Him. So, the battle is even harder—fighting with oneself, fighting for others, fighting to stay strong and not give in to the cares of the world, fighting for God’s promises: to attain them and then to hold onto them, fighting for the one promise that makes it all worth it…
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matt 10:22).
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James1:12).
“But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30).
I’m sure most people have heard the Biblical arguments against abortion. Here are a few:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (Jer 1:15)
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Ps 139:13-14)
“Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:15)
Well, to take these verses and step away from the topic of abortion leads to my frustration from lack of understanding.
If the Lord created each of us—a unique being with a soul that defines who we are, and He knows the end from the beginning (“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…” [Is 46:9-10])—then why allow those children to be born who will never be His, who will never accept Him, who will choose an eternity of hell fire over an eternity with our loving Creator: the very one who gave them life to begin with? I’m not talking murder of children (or even the unborn) here; I’m wondering why God even creates those who will never turn away from this wicked world? People who eventually only lead to the destruction of themselves and those around them, never opening their hearts to hear God calling them. It seems it would save all of us a lot of pain, heartache, temptation, and so on, if all those who were created, were those that God already knew would return to Him. For that matter, why even allow us to be born of sin at all? Why not just create us perfect beings, perfect souls already prepared for eternity in Heaven?
Instead, we’re here—suffering through this dreadful world, clinging to our faith in Him to get us through each day. We’re stuck battling: battling with our own flesh, that of others, plus Satan and his devices. We’re born into families with bonds that will eventually be broken, and painfully broken, because some will choose life through Christ Jesus and some will not. “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Luke 12:53). We develop relationships with and love others who walk in the way of the Lord, only to later watch them turn from what they know in such a way that it hurts everyone around them. How do you save someone from themselves? We can’t. Only Jesus can. But then, how many can we pray for? Our families, our friends, our enemies, random people and situations, ourselves—the list goes on and on. To really pray for all the people who cross my path or enter my mind, I would have to quit my job.
So what’s the point? Why the suffering, the pain, the time dwelling on this earth when it’s not anything we really belong to? Our own pain from life is bad. To feel the pain of others and not be able to do anything about it hurts. But even more, the pain of watching someone turn away from God or just refuse Him altogether is excruciating. What’s the point to all of this? To have God’s promises a little at a time, all the while fighting with everything you have inside to hold onto them; hoping, praying that one day it will all be over and we’ll be made perfect to live eternity with our Savior; absorbing the sadness of those around us because they’ve chosen a different path; losing the people we’ve grown to love because they don’t (refuse, more often than not) to understand. They don’t understand, so we’re just a little nutty. That’s ok. But, what’s the point?
Why not get rid of the entire process of elimination and just create those perfect souls to live in Heaven? Because honestly, I’m tired of it. It’s hard—the reality (yes, reality check!) of living a life for Jesus. It’s hard! There is no “Oh, I accepted Jesus so now I live this happy-ever-after Christian life.” It’s a struggle, it’s sacrifice, it’s painful, and it’s frustrating. The worst part (or best depending on your perspective) is that once you’ve tasted the Spirit, you can’t just turn away from Him. So, the battle is even harder—fighting with oneself, fighting for others, fighting to stay strong and not give in to the cares of the world, fighting for God’s promises: to attain them and then to hold onto them, fighting for the one promise that makes it all worth it…
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matt 10:22).
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James1:12).
“But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30).
Friday, June 6, 2008
What Kind of a Christian is Barack Obama?
I want to start by saying Barack Obama and his family are in desperate need of prayer. We need to pray for God to reach the Senator and bring him back to Christ, as there is a strong possibility he could become our next president. We also need to ensure true Christians are not fooled by his rhetoric and claims of following Christ.
Obama has certainly been in the spotlight for his profession of Christian faith coupled with his liberal anti-Christian political agenda—most notably, partial-birth abortion and gay marriage. Long before his candidacy for the Presidential seat, he entertained religion reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, Cathleen Falsani, in an afternoon interview. Noted below are his words about his faith as a Christian and his beliefs in Christian principles, taken directly from the interview transcripts. Following his comments are verses from the Bible (NIV), along with some of my own comments (in CAPS).
“If all it took was someone proclaiming I believe Jesus Christ and that he died for my sins, and that was all there was to it, people wouldn’t have to keep coming to church, would they.” Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
“I am a Christian… So, I have a deep faith. I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people.” Matthew 7:14 “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
When speaking of the Sunday about 16 years ago when he went to the altar at his church as was saved, he said: “I think it was just a moment to certify or publicly affirm a growing faith in me." Matthew 6:20 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full” Isaiah 2:17 “The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day”
“There's the belief, certainly in some quarters, that if people haven't embraced Jesus Christ as their personal savior, they're going to hell...I can’t imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity. That’s just not part of my religious makeup.” Jeremiah 31:33 “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts, I will be their God and they will be my people.” Psalm 9:8 “He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.”
“I think that religion at its best comes with a big dose of doubt.” James 1:6 “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
When mentioning a certain “power” he can “feel” when speaking, and then questioned if he believes it’s the Holy Spirit, he says: “I think it’s the power of the recognition of God, or the recognition of a larger truth that is being shared between me and an audience.” WE MUST REMEMBER, GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO US! Zechariah 4:6 “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
When asked “Who’s Jesus to you?” He states: “Jesus is an historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher.” NOTICE THAT HE DOES NOT SAY JESUS IS MY SAVIOR OR JESUS IS LORD! YET HE GOES ON: “And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.” Titus 2:13 is clear: “…the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”
Asked if he reads the Bible, he says: “I read it not as regularly as I would like. These days I don’t have much time for reading or reflection, period.” Matthew 4:4 “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” and 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed…”
He continues on, “but that’s where that internal monologue, or dialogue I think supplants my opportunity to read and reflect in a structured way these days.” Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
When asked, “Do you believe in heaven?” He questions back, “Do I believe in the harps and clouds and wings?” Better defined by the interviewer as “A place spiritually you go to after you die?” He goes on to explain, “What I believe in is that if I live my life as well as I can, that I will be rewarded.” GOOD WORKS OVER JESUS? Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Obama says he’s most aligned spiritually when “I’m being true to myself.” Matthew 4:10 “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Obama claims the name of Jesus and the Christian faith, but he does not speak of or stand for the truth of the Bible--the only truth there is for true followers of Christ.
References:
Chicago Sun-Times: http://www.suntimes.com/news/falsani/726619,obamafalsani040504.article
Full Interview Transcripts:
http://www.audacityofhypocrisy.com/2008/06/06/barack-obama-the-2004-god-factor-interview-transcript/
Obama has certainly been in the spotlight for his profession of Christian faith coupled with his liberal anti-Christian political agenda—most notably, partial-birth abortion and gay marriage. Long before his candidacy for the Presidential seat, he entertained religion reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, Cathleen Falsani, in an afternoon interview. Noted below are his words about his faith as a Christian and his beliefs in Christian principles, taken directly from the interview transcripts. Following his comments are verses from the Bible (NIV), along with some of my own comments (in CAPS).
“If all it took was someone proclaiming I believe Jesus Christ and that he died for my sins, and that was all there was to it, people wouldn’t have to keep coming to church, would they.” Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
“I am a Christian… So, I have a deep faith. I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people.” Matthew 7:14 “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
When speaking of the Sunday about 16 years ago when he went to the altar at his church as was saved, he said: “I think it was just a moment to certify or publicly affirm a growing faith in me." Matthew 6:20 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full” Isaiah 2:17 “The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day”
“There's the belief, certainly in some quarters, that if people haven't embraced Jesus Christ as their personal savior, they're going to hell...I can’t imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity. That’s just not part of my religious makeup.” Jeremiah 31:33 “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts, I will be their God and they will be my people.” Psalm 9:8 “He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.”
“I think that religion at its best comes with a big dose of doubt.” James 1:6 “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
When mentioning a certain “power” he can “feel” when speaking, and then questioned if he believes it’s the Holy Spirit, he says: “I think it’s the power of the recognition of God, or the recognition of a larger truth that is being shared between me and an audience.” WE MUST REMEMBER, GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO US! Zechariah 4:6 “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
When asked “Who’s Jesus to you?” He states: “Jesus is an historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher.” NOTICE THAT HE DOES NOT SAY JESUS IS MY SAVIOR OR JESUS IS LORD! YET HE GOES ON: “And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.” Titus 2:13 is clear: “…the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”
Asked if he reads the Bible, he says: “I read it not as regularly as I would like. These days I don’t have much time for reading or reflection, period.” Matthew 4:4 “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” and 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed…”
He continues on, “but that’s where that internal monologue, or dialogue I think supplants my opportunity to read and reflect in a structured way these days.” Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
When asked, “Do you believe in heaven?” He questions back, “Do I believe in the harps and clouds and wings?” Better defined by the interviewer as “A place spiritually you go to after you die?” He goes on to explain, “What I believe in is that if I live my life as well as I can, that I will be rewarded.” GOOD WORKS OVER JESUS? Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Obama says he’s most aligned spiritually when “I’m being true to myself.” Matthew 4:10 “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Obama claims the name of Jesus and the Christian faith, but he does not speak of or stand for the truth of the Bible--the only truth there is for true followers of Christ.
References:
Chicago Sun-Times: http://www.suntimes.com/news/falsani/726619,obamafalsani040504.article
Full Interview Transcripts:
http://www.audacityofhypocrisy.com/2008/06/06/barack-obama-the-2004-god-factor-interview-transcript/
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Christianity: A Threat to America
Erica Corder, one of 15 valedictorians of Lewis-Palmer High School in Denver, Colorado was threatened, by the school principal, to not receive her diploma if she did not prepare a public apology for mentioning Jesus Christ in her commencement speech. Many Americans embrace their right to free speech and their right to freedom of religion; however, when Corder embraced the two together, she was at risk of disciplinary action. The growing intolerance for Christianity has become more than apparent in the United States. What is it about this particular religion that makes individuals and organizations feel threatened?
There are religious extremists in several major religions of the world and their acts reign terror on many nations. Radical Christians have killed and destroyed on the basis of protecting human life. Extreme Hindu organizations have completely demolished buildings of other religious groups out of intolerance. Sikh terrorists have bombed airlines and massacred hundreds for fear that the position of their religion was descending. Radical Muslims have murdered thousands in their own lands in adherence to the commands of their god.
Christianity is not the radical philosophy that is often exploited in the media. True Christianity is love, compassion, hope, patience, and understanding. Where in these attributes is the threat to Americans? When followers of a different religion are the subject of negative stereotypes, American people work diligently to reverse those notions as nothing more than just poor representations of the group as a whole. When Christians are subject to negative stereotypes, the labels are accepted by many Americans: “Christians are hypocrites.” America’s religious tolerance has become acceptance for all, except Christianity.
The majority of Americans have experienced the evangelism of a Mormon follower at one time or another (For the record, my opinion holds that Mormonism is not Christianity. Christianity has a closed canon consisting of the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. The Mormon religion incorporates the teachings of a second book, The Book of Mormon. Mormonism has developed from the fundamentals of Christianity, as Christianity—and Islam—have from Judaism). Mormons are tolerated (even if for only seconds) when they knock on the door of homes; they are tolerated when they interrupt an individual in a public shopping center and dismissed as “that’s just what they do.” A young girl embraces the name of Jesus in a speech about moving forward with her life and she is threatened to lose the reward of years of hard work—her high school diploma.
As children, Americans are taught equality and tolerance. Equality and tolerance for different races, genders, and concepts of sexuality are implanted in a child’s brain as early as pre-school. Religious tolerance is embraced: to Buddhists who affirm no god, only Nirvana; to Hindus who worship Brahmin and Vishnu, among others; to Muslims who embrace one god and one god only, Allah. Shift to Christians in America who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that tolerance becomes a theoretical reality.
In many local Asian food restaurants, there are statues and paintings of “Buddha.” They are admired, perhaps sometimes chuckled at, but never viewed as an infringement on another’s personal religious freedom. These icons of the Buddhist religion are accepted in public areas—Americans are proudly tolerant of other religions! No one person wants to be branded a bigot because they are offended by the Buddha. Turn the tables to the symbol of Jesus Christ and Christians are in violation of everyone else’s first amendment rights. For example, a high school in Charleston, West Virginia is home to a classic picture of Jesus—a picture that had been an art piece at the school for more than 30 years. Two people have taken offense to this picture and caused the school to enter into litigation on the basis of “unconstitutional religious expression.” The lawsuit exclaims, “The expenditure of public funds to maintain the Jesus portrait is unconstitutional." What types of additional funds are actually required to maintain a picture that hangs on a wall?
The picture lawsuit is one of many examples of the anti-Christian religious tolerance that is sweeping the nation. A 10-year old boy in suburban Philadelphia was not allowed to wear a Jesus costume to school because it was said to promote religious activities. Yet, other students were allowed to dress as devils for the festivities. Devils too transmit religious symbolism, but for some reason, that was overlooked. Why was the Christian image of hope and love a threat to Willow Hill Elementary administration?
A former classmate once described her work environment where Muslim co-workers would congregate at certain times of the day, and bow down in prayer. This, of course, is their right—their religious freedom. Among fellow employees who did not share the same religious values, the Muslims were allowed to embrace their religious duties. In New Orleans, multiple school districts have entered into litigation because school board members joined in prayer prior to their board meetings. School board meetings are held after school hours, outside any school building, and no children are required to attend. Some parish school districts have already lost their battle to maintain opening prayers due to, that’s right, first amendment violations. Violations have been declared, yet there was no person present at the board meetings that did not engage in the same beliefs and practices of the board as a whole. The hypocrisy of America’s religious tolerance is more than evident in circumstances such as these.
Every person should question why Christianity, why Jesus Christ, why the Christian God is perceived as threatening, and why so little tolerance is offered in comparison to the hundreds of other religions abounding in this nation. Maybe then, the double standard of religious freedoms guaranteed to all by the Constitution of the United States of America can be relieved.
There are religious extremists in several major religions of the world and their acts reign terror on many nations. Radical Christians have killed and destroyed on the basis of protecting human life. Extreme Hindu organizations have completely demolished buildings of other religious groups out of intolerance. Sikh terrorists have bombed airlines and massacred hundreds for fear that the position of their religion was descending. Radical Muslims have murdered thousands in their own lands in adherence to the commands of their god.
Christianity is not the radical philosophy that is often exploited in the media. True Christianity is love, compassion, hope, patience, and understanding. Where in these attributes is the threat to Americans? When followers of a different religion are the subject of negative stereotypes, American people work diligently to reverse those notions as nothing more than just poor representations of the group as a whole. When Christians are subject to negative stereotypes, the labels are accepted by many Americans: “Christians are hypocrites.” America’s religious tolerance has become acceptance for all, except Christianity.
The majority of Americans have experienced the evangelism of a Mormon follower at one time or another (For the record, my opinion holds that Mormonism is not Christianity. Christianity has a closed canon consisting of the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. The Mormon religion incorporates the teachings of a second book, The Book of Mormon. Mormonism has developed from the fundamentals of Christianity, as Christianity—and Islam—have from Judaism). Mormons are tolerated (even if for only seconds) when they knock on the door of homes; they are tolerated when they interrupt an individual in a public shopping center and dismissed as “that’s just what they do.” A young girl embraces the name of Jesus in a speech about moving forward with her life and she is threatened to lose the reward of years of hard work—her high school diploma.
As children, Americans are taught equality and tolerance. Equality and tolerance for different races, genders, and concepts of sexuality are implanted in a child’s brain as early as pre-school. Religious tolerance is embraced: to Buddhists who affirm no god, only Nirvana; to Hindus who worship Brahmin and Vishnu, among others; to Muslims who embrace one god and one god only, Allah. Shift to Christians in America who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that tolerance becomes a theoretical reality.
In many local Asian food restaurants, there are statues and paintings of “Buddha.” They are admired, perhaps sometimes chuckled at, but never viewed as an infringement on another’s personal religious freedom. These icons of the Buddhist religion are accepted in public areas—Americans are proudly tolerant of other religions! No one person wants to be branded a bigot because they are offended by the Buddha. Turn the tables to the symbol of Jesus Christ and Christians are in violation of everyone else’s first amendment rights. For example, a high school in Charleston, West Virginia is home to a classic picture of Jesus—a picture that had been an art piece at the school for more than 30 years. Two people have taken offense to this picture and caused the school to enter into litigation on the basis of “unconstitutional religious expression.” The lawsuit exclaims, “The expenditure of public funds to maintain the Jesus portrait is unconstitutional." What types of additional funds are actually required to maintain a picture that hangs on a wall?
The picture lawsuit is one of many examples of the anti-Christian religious tolerance that is sweeping the nation. A 10-year old boy in suburban Philadelphia was not allowed to wear a Jesus costume to school because it was said to promote religious activities. Yet, other students were allowed to dress as devils for the festivities. Devils too transmit religious symbolism, but for some reason, that was overlooked. Why was the Christian image of hope and love a threat to Willow Hill Elementary administration?
A former classmate once described her work environment where Muslim co-workers would congregate at certain times of the day, and bow down in prayer. This, of course, is their right—their religious freedom. Among fellow employees who did not share the same religious values, the Muslims were allowed to embrace their religious duties. In New Orleans, multiple school districts have entered into litigation because school board members joined in prayer prior to their board meetings. School board meetings are held after school hours, outside any school building, and no children are required to attend. Some parish school districts have already lost their battle to maintain opening prayers due to, that’s right, first amendment violations. Violations have been declared, yet there was no person present at the board meetings that did not engage in the same beliefs and practices of the board as a whole. The hypocrisy of America’s religious tolerance is more than evident in circumstances such as these.
Every person should question why Christianity, why Jesus Christ, why the Christian God is perceived as threatening, and why so little tolerance is offered in comparison to the hundreds of other religions abounding in this nation. Maybe then, the double standard of religious freedoms guaranteed to all by the Constitution of the United States of America can be relieved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)