To Both Sides Regarding the Chick-fil-A Fiasco

<Start Rant>

I am so annoyed, angry, sad, frustrated at both dies in this whole thing. I don’t think any of the liberals or conservatives are doing anything good, beneficial, or productive; each with their own brand of hate-mongering and boycotting. Both sides are wrong, wrong because of how they are reacting, over-reacting to everything.

The company doesn't deny food to homosexuals, nor do they deny them employment. In fact, I have worked side-by-side in retail before with at least three homosexuals... and you know what... I have my belief (that it is wrong/a sin) but it is their life and they can live how they want, even if I disagree. They were all great people and I respected them and their choice.

Should my choice to disagree not be respected too? Do you know it was me, the Christian and ministry person, who was telling others to stop when they were joking about them or calling them names behind their backs. Once, I was conversing with a homosexual co-worker on MySpace, who was being kicked out of her house by her parents because she was a homosexual. That wasn't right! Her parents should have loved and accepted her as a person, even if they disagreed (and she also should have respected their right to disagree as well).

I am just so over all of this!

<End Rant>

 Ok... Now I am calming down...

I wonder, have we at times chosen to so brazenly and blindly run toward others in anger and reaction, trying to stand up for our own values, to try to make everyone else look like us, that we have forgotten the love of Christ? I say this to both sides of this argument. I do not feel God's love and grace on either extreme right now.

Did not Jesus let the Rich Young Ruler walk away sad when he chose not to follow (MT 19:16-22). I think what really annoys us is that just like Jesus, God gives us choices, choices to reject him or follow, to choose sin or not, to live one way or another... and yet, we don’t think other people deserve this choice, if we disagree with them. God gave us free-will, and we each use that will to live how we see fit and believe, for which God will ultimately judge.

Here is my problem: If everything is legislated, then what of compassion, grace, and love? Are they freely given or forced upon others by laws. It can only end badly, for everyone involved, if we continue down this route. Should the conservative-religious take up arms and murder those who are not Christians or do not conform to their ideals of faith. Shall we start a new inquisition? Should the liberal-atheists drag Christians out into the streets and put them out of their misery because of their beliefs and traditions?

Shall we be ruled by hate and fear or by truth, grace, and love?

Is the gospel to be forced upon the lives of others...

or should it be heard and accepted freely?

To be clear: My faith is not threatened by any of this. Of course, my belief in a fallen humanity in need of grace, love, and the gospel is deepened. Of course, you may disagree with me... and I am fine with that, as long as we are each respecting one another and there is no violence or hate between us in either direction.

I believe where there is persecution and oppression, freedom is squelched; whether that freedom is of the religious, anti-religious, conservatives, or liberals to say what they believe and practice doing so. When any looses freedom of speech and religion (or anti-religion), soon we all loose freedom.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. – Matthew 5:43-48

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” ²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? …” – Luke 10:25-29

~ Boldness & Compassion

Other Articles/Links:

(*Best one yet*) http://rachelheldevans.com/chick-fil-a#.UBeK_cq5k3I.facebook

http://thinkchristian.net/why-eating-at-chick-fil-a-isnt-the-same-as-taking-communion

http://www.christandpopculture.com/featured/the-chick-fi-asco-why-boycotts-are-awful/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/conor-gaughan/chick-fil-a-homophobia_b_1711566.html

http://blogs.christianpost.com/standing-in-truth/politics-and-christianity-chick-fil-a-gay-marriage-uproar-11074/

http://m.redandblack.com/mobile/opinion/chick-fil-a-deserves-to-be-punished/article_2ffdc4f8-d539-11e1-a734-001a4bcf6878.html

My Experience in Youth Ministry (3 of 3)

My Experience in Youth Ministry:

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Part 3: The Ugly

I faced some of the toughest times in my life as a youth minister, feeling caught between parents and their children. I knew they cared deeply of their children, but I often got the feeling (maybe because I was single) that they thought I didn’t really care for them. Sure, it wasn’t in the same way as a parent, but I did rejoice with their successes and mourn their failed attempts.

I remember back one time I had decided to make a MySpace page for the youth (back when that was the thing). I knew most of the youth had MySpace and I would miss them through e-mail or phone calls, so I decided it would be good to have a page they could go to and see updates and things we were doing. Sound great, right? Well, the youth started joining (it was a closed group) and I accepted them, happy about my idea and how well it was being received already. Then, I get an e-mail from my pastor, informing me and forwarding me an e-mail he had received from a mother. This mother was not happy with the new page. She didn’t have a MySpace, so it was actually her sister who asked to be in the group (she had to since it was closed and no one could see anything). She was appalled at the links on MySpace, which of course, I had no control over. Then, she didn’t like that her kid’s picture was on there. I remember reading that e-mail and being so astounded... and mad, because I had worked so hard to format the page and everything. I ended up deleting it and of course, the youth asked and I told them what had happened (not naming names, but I always refused to lie to them when stuff like this happened).

Another time I had this great idea, instead of meeting at the church on Sunday nights, we should meet at someone’s house... and just so happens, one of the older ladies in the church lived across the street and loved being involved with the youth. Turns out, they loved her too, so this would be great. I had told the youth about it and had planned everything. I had one or two parents ask me if we could have it at different houses and I explained it would be difficult for the youth to keep track and find transportation to a different house every week (not to mention find different houses that would be open to having the youth there as well). Then the Sunday finally came. I was excited; this might be more comfortable for the youth and for them to invite their friends. Only one problem. That afternoon I got a call from the older lady whose house we were going to use and she informs me we cannot meet at her house. When I ask why she tells me some of the other women, who she doesn’t name, do not like the idea and she doesn’t want to be in the middle. I understand her position, so I have to go and e-mail/message everyone about the sudden change. Again, the youth, not being naive, ask why the change, so I tell them what happened. I feel bad, as if I should have covered, but why should someone else’s actions mean I have to lie or come up with some statement.

The last thing, and one of the things that made me start to think about leaving my first church, was a meeting I had with the pastor. By this time the previous pastor had left and a new pastor had started. If the old pastor only gave me praise, this pastor gave me the opposite. Of course, in front of others I got praise but behind closed doors I got critiqued. One of the last times I was asked into his office was about four months before I left. I walked in and he asked me to have a seat. I sat down and he said there was something that he was concerned about. When I asked what, he told me he was concerned I didn’t come on Wednesday nights (see, some deacons and the pastor wanted me to come on Wednesday and also to start teaching youth too on Wednesday nights. I had spoken with the youth, but they told me they were busy during the week. In addition, I was not hired to do Wednesday nights but only Sundays). I told the pastor these things and he said he didn’t care what I was hired for, that was the old pastor and he was the new pastor. He said he thought the youth minister should be there every time the church doors were open. I was astounded, here I am trying to reasonable and it sounds like he didn’t really care. He was not listening to me. This was not a discussion. I told him I didn’t want money to be an issue, but I have bills to pay, and doing extra work plus driving out of town to the church was more money I didn’t have. Then... and I will never forget this, he said to me... "and that is something else I was to talk to you about.” My eyebrows rose. He told me ministry was not about money and he reminded me about the time I met him in town, so he could get me, and we could both go and visit youth together. He was discouraged by the fact I didn’t drive all the way out to the church to meet him. I really didn’t see the need for both of us to drive (this is when gas was over $4.00 a gallon). I told him I wish money wasn’t an issue but it was... (This was also when I had no job, so during the week I was substitute teaching as my bank account tanked hard. And yeah, he knew this was going on). I left his office feeling so sorrowful, conflicted, and judged. For two months I started to go on Wednesday to prayer meetings. The community was good, but I felt off at church from then on. I started to feel my time here was maybe ending and started praying and talking to close friends. Two months later I decided I was going to leave and two months after that I gave my two weeks notice. I left having no other ministry job, but knowing my time there was over. It would be two years of working retail and at a library before I would start a residency as a chaplain.

I hate that this third part is longer than the others, but I think the situations had to be more fully explained. Like I said, there are good things, bad things, and ugly things that happened in ministry. And I know I am not alone in this. Most ministers keep their mouths shut, so they are not rude, cause disunity, or in fear for their jobs and livelihood (especially those with families). The only reason I am writing about this now, after a few years, is because I think these things should not be hidden in the dark. In some churches, there are people with power who should not have power, there are devious and sabotaging things that happen, and get swept under the rug. I think if the church ever really wants to grow, especially in America, it will have to deal with all the things it has under these rugs. These things will need to be made known, put into the light, and repentance and love must win over critique and judgment; encouragement over law-making, grace over oppression.

~ Boldness & Compassion

My Experience in Youth Ministry (2 of 3)

My Experience in Youth Ministry:

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Part 2: The Bad

Youth ministry also came with a lot of things I did not like, things that did not fit well with my personality. I am an introvert, so many people expected me to be very energetic and promote a lot of fun and games. We did have fun and did play games, but I was, and will always be convinced, that the primary reason for church and youth ministry is to come together in community before Christ, to learn about God, exalt, and hopefully produce change and become more mature and godly people. Not everyone agrees. A lot of people think numbers equal success. Yes, numbers produce results, but only of numerical growth, not true spiritual growth and discipleship.

I really had a lot of trouble trying to get parents involved. When I first started, I tried to have a parents meeting. I made lists with things we could discuss and talk about, only when the time came, no one showed. Not one single parent. I had announced this in church. I really wanted to meet the parents and get their opinions and ideas. It seemed like they didn’t care, or at least not enough to come for a meeting. I would learn this is a huge problem in churches, the divide between parents and students, the old and the young. I always had to be mindful to respect parents, and rightfully so, but also I would not make excuses for them. I would hear from the youth about parents being hypocrites or oppressing them and trying to overly control them. I always took these times as a chance to teach the students about personal convictions, and how they might not like their parents’ convictions or rules, but one day they will have to leave and figure out what their own rules and conviction were for life. How would they choose to live? Would it be godly? How would they live out faith in their lives once they left?

Also, from day one, I was basically told not to (completely) be myself when I was around the youth. Let me explain: The first day I wrote up a few facts about me, and I wanted facts about the youth too, to try to learn about one another. I remember I put “Stephen King” as one of my favorite authors, among many others, who were mostly Christian. I was mindful enough to put the non-Christian authors last but I did like to read them. The next Sunday I was told a mother had complained. She had said since Stephen King curses in his books, I was promoting cursing by saying I read him. WHAT? I was appalled and told to delete his name. Well, I had ran off like 50 copies and I wasn’t going to waste all that paper, so I took a black marker and marked out his name. Of course, the youth asked what happened, so I told them the truth (also, they easily figured out how to hold the paper up to the light and read the name).

~ Boldness & Compassion

My Experience in Youth Ministry (1 of 3)

My Experience in Youth Ministry:

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Part 1: The Good

Currently, I am a hospital chaplain. Originally, I thought I would be fearful or might dislike my job, but I have loved every minute of it. I love seeing patients and family, especially one on one. I love the discussions I have with the religious and non-religious about life, family, friends, and many other things. I love being there for people in sacred moments. But with all these great moments, I have become a lot more reflective in my previous ministry, the time when I was a part-time youth minister.

While I was in seminary/grad school, I decided it was finally time to get a job as a youth minister. I had wanted to in college but transportation was a problem, seeing as I had no car nor could afford one (or the insurance for one). I was doing better in grad school and was excited when only after a few months I had an interview and got accepted as part-time youth minister.

During that time a lot happened. I grew from a person who wanted to be a minister, to a person who was a minister, though I did feel bad I wasn’t full-time. I had to always work two to three jobs to pay bills, so when I wasn’t working; I was studying or trying to relax.

The thing I liked most about youth ministry was seeing the change in the youth. I saw girls start becoming ladies and boys start becoming men. Sunday after Sunday I brought the word of God to them. I really enjoyed writing and teaching bible studies. I would teach on Jesus parables, his I AM statements, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, and on and on. Especially, I liked on Sunday nights going through books of the bible. We went through Acts, Philippians, and Ephesians.

I also admit... it was really enjoyable to get paid to hang-out with the students. I mean, I got paid to watch movies, go bowling, go to Sunday Lunch, or have breakfast. I also really enjoyed one time when I got to perform music with the youth. It was only one song, but practicing singing and playing guitar with those young women... and then performing in front of the church. Well, it felt good. It made me feel like I had finally started to connect and succeed.

~ Boldness & Compassion

Capitalism at it's Worst

I have been thinking a lot lately about how great my current situation is... and though I know for now this job is temporary, I still remember vividly ever single day, the job I had before this one. While I am thankful I have this new chaplaincy job, I am still sad, curious, and worried about those left behind. Why? There is a side to retail that many do not see... and even what the employees see; they do not know what goes on behind the curtain of the office, when the "big-wigs" talk to the supervisors or managers.

It makes me sad. Everyone talks about the freedom and greatness of Capitalism, but with great power comes great responsibility (Yes, Spider-Man)... and out of the ashes of a bad economy, workers are being treated very poorly. There is no longer care for the employees by these corporations but only care for the bottom line, care to show a gain in the latest quarter, and forcing employees to promote a good image of a company, that is anything but a good. You know when you have worked there. You know when you have walked down an isle and heard someone being yelled at instead of spoken to professionally. Is this what we call acceptable?

I met a lady this past week while working, she said her job was bringing her so much stress, but like most people in this horrible economy, she has no choice but to go back to this company and boss who do not appreciate her, give her unreasonable deadlines, and promote a negative and hostile work atmosphere. I felt her pain. I too worked in such a job. I felt I was being used. I know I was being used. I was being yelled at, not always outwardly, but inwardly. I could feel the tension and anxiety, there were even times I cried over what my life had become... but I had no way out, not until I found another job, which took me 2.5 years.

I still cannot believe the unreasonable expectations that exist. For example: Say you have a job to perform and the company wants to ask for more information from a customer at check-out or ask you to do a  promotion, these are not added onto your regular routine for which you are timed, you are expected and required to do extra in the same amount of time you had previously. But it does not stop there... because if there is another idea or job to perform this is added to your job as well. And as these things keep piling up, your time allotted only decreases (you are continually supposed to go faster and be more productive always), payroll decreases, and the amount of people carrying the load decreases; thus leaving even more people to do more work. But do these people get paid more? No, they get paid the same. It is horrible and this kind of treatment is thriving now because corporations know they can get away with this, they can treat employees like crap because people need jobs; they need to pay rent, fix their cars, and feed their kids - while many CEO's and those at corporate buy boats, give/get huge bonuses, and have lavish corporate meetings/outings.

It makes me sad, it makes me sick, and even though I am not there anymore and hope I never will be again, I wish there was something people could do (I suppose I can write, of course). I wish people would understand that when you go into a store and there are not enough Cashiers, it is because corporate said so... When you complain about an employee, it might be because that person is timed and expected to please 100% (to store and customer, no excuses), even if it means loosing their own dignity in the process, so that the company can be seen in a positive light and prosper. OR say you had a bad customer service experience and corporate did nothing, it is because they DO NOT care, they know you will probably come back (they run their statistics I am sure), because you are desperate and so are the employees. They think they have everyone wrapped around there little fingers.

But what can our reaction be, if any. Should we keep up with this negative and hostile atmosphere? Should we speak up about it and risk loosing our jobs? Personally, I kept my mouth shut most often but sometimes did speak about something I thought was unethical (Ex: telling employees what to do off the clock as a customer). I also once spoke up about unfair expectations and the lack of ANY positive feedback by corporate (except when they came to visit and shake my hand of course and tell me what a great job I am doing, which always annoyed me, because it is all very two-faced).

What is the answer for us as Americans?

Should we have unrestrained Capitalism?

How much restraint?

How as Christians can we speak to this injustice?

How can we comfort those who mourn the better times?

How can we offer hope to those living in jobs and places of despair?

What we are witnessing is the power of money and greed and what happens when their is a lack of love for the other, filled only with selfish concerns. We are witnessing the chaos that comes out of disorder, when ethical boundaries are crossed, when loopholes create boulders for others live under. If I lack LOVE I am nothing, and to corporations that lack genuine love and care for their employees, I become nothing, a mere resounding gong as cash flows away from my pocket and into their own (1st Corinthians 13).

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
– Matthew 6:24

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
– 1st Timothy 6:9-10

~ Boldness & Compassion

Pic: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__VeFPukiO1Y/TUQhpQQYNtI/AAAAAAAAEEE/-Z0-Gbg7Wzs/s1600/bankers_416635.jpg

Who Do You follow?

It has been quite some time since I have written something, ideas have been brewing inside my head, but sometimes it is tough to just sit down and let those ideas flow from my mind and into notepad. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the question: Who do you follow? Who do I follow? Who are we following as Christians? At first glance the answer seems clear, obviously Jesus, right? But is it really that obvious? Do others really get the impression from how we live that we are followers of Christ Jesus?

Last night at my small group we were looking at Colossians 1:15-22 and description of Christ. Along the way a question was asked, and it was so simple yet so complex: Does Christ make a difference in your life? Then, it led to some other questions: Can you imagine life without Christ? Are the good things we do and who we are from experience and our self or because of the reflection and change in our life that stems from Christ? These are very thought-provoking questions.

Honestly, I was saved at a very young age, so I have never known what life, my life, would be like if I had not been saved. Of course, I would not really want to know what my life would be apart from Christ. I do believe there is some goodness, some of the original image of God left on humanity; however, sin has smudged, it has distorted and perverted that image, so our natural tendency is to sin. Therefore, even if I might still struggle with types of temptations and sins now, how much worse would it be if I was never saved? I shudder to think of it.

Still, even as we say Christ has so changed our lives, sometimes I wonder if it is not so much the actual change, as in action, so much as the idea of change and goodness that excite us. We are saved from hell, which is great, but what about all the other scriptures that speak of the growing Kingdom of God (MK 4:26-34; LK 13:18-21), the renewing of our minds (Heb. 12:2), and the ongoing transformation and pursuit of holiness that disciples of Christ should be pursuing (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 12:1).

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1st Thessalonians 5:19-23

One example of how this plays out is in the realms of our government (politics) and churches (pastors). The last four years I have heard those on the right "preach" that those who are true Christians are republicans and follow Bush, watch Fox News, and support Glen Beck. On the left, the argument comes that if we care about the poor like Jesus then one is to be a Democrat, support Obama, and agree with Universal Healthcare. All of these situations are so very complex, we try to fit faith into nice boxes so often and we think we have to agree with those people and hate the others. Being a Moderate, I see both sides clamoring for power, and as I see the status updates on fb, the people joining groups on either front, I find myself asking the question: where is Jesus in all of this?

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? - 1st Corinthians 1:10-13

For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1st Corinthians 3:4-11

Christ called us to a new life, to be something different, something rebellious to the system of this world. We are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Mt 5:43-48); yet often I do not see love but just hate. I know some of us are well meaning, but who are we really following? Is it Christ or is it some politician, talk show host, preacher, minister, author, writer? Do we follow frail and flawed human beings or the infinite and holy Son of God, Jesus Christ? How often do we spend time wrapped up in politics or reading books by mankind; yet we fail to devote our time to prayerfully communicating with God, reading scripture, being transformed by Christ, and rallying for the cause of the Kingdom of God?

~ Boldness & Compassion

Pic: http://www.cbchutch.com/clientimages/33668/followme_t_nv.jpg

Separation of Church and State

Let's be honest, it has been a long time coming... and many of us so called Christians and Americans seem to have no clue what it means to have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. People think they know about the issue but in reality have no idea what is boils down to...

How Christians Have Lost Their Voice,
And Will Loose Their Freedom:

First, what most people think is separation of church and state is related to things like not being allowed to have the 10 Commandments on public property, not being allowed to pray in schools, not being allowed to say Jesus in a graduation ceremony, and not being able to share Jesus everywhere. But when we look at these issues of freedom, where are they at? Most of these are all in public settings, setting where people are all together... The 10 Commandments are great laws to live by but the issue is not that they are not good but that the government is endorsing one religion and not giving freedom to another. The choice is to either take out the commandments or to add other religious texts from various religions; however, a majority of Christians would not like other religions referred to...

Ah, but here it is, Christians wanting freedom of religion, but only for themselves and not for others. Does allowing freedom for others mean we are condoning their beliefs and rejecting our own, certainly not. What it does mean is that Christians are putting themselves in a very difficult hole in society. Toleration is the cry we hear from the liberal foot-hills of free speech and if Christians and right-wing people would be smart, they would accept toleration as a valid point, not only in allowing more discussion of other beliefs but using it as a stepping stone to also allow their own faith and beliefs to be heard and also to remain valid in the eyes of others.

Prayer in school is another thing that was lost almost a half-century ago and is still very much spoken about, especially by the older people of my generation. They feel Americas decline was based on this; of course one would say that the decline caused the idea of ending prayer to come up so something was wrong before that ever happened. Still, think about it - how would you feel if a Muslim was allowed to pray every morning and your child had to be a part in it? Does that seem fair? You say "We are a Christian nation" and to that I say "So was Germany and the Nazis'"... I am not saying we are the same, except we cannot put faith and nationalism on the same scale, Rome did that and fell between their King and Pope conflicts as well if you read the history books (See: Reason why America added Separation of Church and State). To say others faith exist in America is not a denial of our own, in fact, if we would open our eyes we would see it as a vast amount of people needing to see the light of Christ instead of seeing them as political enemies (enemies who Christ told us to love by the way - Matthew 5:43-48 anyone?).

...Now, I do think paying homage to Jesus Christ is a good thing that should be allowed at a graduation ceremony. Why? Because I think the student earned the right to speak and should be allowed to thank whatever influences are in his or her life. However, again it is important to stress that if we allow this freedom of speech and religion for one, a Christian, then we must allow it for another - otherwise we are just being plain hypocrites. One never has to agree with what is said, but out of respect, one should always respect a person for who they are, including different beliefs. If there is no respect for another person, then I can assure you there will never be open dialogue in which to persuade them to the gospel of Christ in the first place. Does this mean we deny our conviction and faith, no - but we do not force others to deny theirs either...

… And this is where Christians in America have begun to hang themselves - we cry to freedom of religion and speech and we cry to the obliteration to the separation of church and state, not for others but for us, so that Christians may once again rule America as it should be. The problem is that in doing this we are setting ourselves up for a Civic Church, one whose freedom of speech is going to be halted in the mutual agreement on civility, peace, and toleration.

If there is no civic church then there will be a destroying of the church as it eventually must go underground. Freedom of speech is already being lost by Christians in other developed nations when they preach against things like homosexuality. Now it is we who must cease our freedom so that another can have theirs, toleration and all. But who is tolerating the Christian voice in this situation, why does the KKK get to continue it speech and demonstrations but Christians are loosing their own? Why is a good question… And I honestly think it is something we have been doing to ourselves - now that public thought of different religions and ideas being accepted grow, as the information we are fed is always changing, people question absolute truth.. and instead of answering their queries, instead of discussing faith with them, we have taken the approach of merely telling them they are wrong, they are evil, they are sinful - we forgot that we to are sinful and wrong (Romans 3:21-24), this is why Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-11).

Somewhere we lost ourselves as "Christians in a nation called America", we accepted politics over true faith, voting morals instead of sharing them with our feet and by our actions, we have lost our voice and our only true chance to find it is to look to Jesus once again; this son of God who taught his disciples who never knew who he was until the end (MK 8:27-30; LK 24: 13-35), who spent time with sinners despite the murmurings of the religious authorities of his time(MT 9:8; MK 2:15-17); , who told us to pray for our enemies (MT 5:43-48), and who told us to give to Caesar what is Caesars and give to God what is God's (Mt 22:21; MK 12:17; LK 20:25).

Think About It...

~ Boldness & Compassion

Other Relevant Articles:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-07-23-faith-edit_x.htm
http://erlc.com/article/to-whom-do-you-pledge-your-allegiance/
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0728/p09s02-coop.html