Posted on 10/14/2008 4:36:45 AM PDT by IbJensen
In this election cycle, many of our churches have opted to remain silent, not wanting to insert "God" into a political debate.
That is tragic, since at its most basic level, this nation is engaged in a struggle over its very identity.
Because America is a nation that was founded on a belief in God, and on the fact that His laws should be the basis for our laws.
The Declaration begins with the concept of inalienable rights that were endowed by a Creator, and therefore not legitimately open to negotiation by any government. In fact, it was the attempt by the British crown to abridge those fundamental rights that caused the American Revolution in the first place.
The question that every American should be asking himself is, "Doyouwant your government to see you as a creation of a loving and eternal Father who loves you and to whom both you and the state are accountable, or do you want your government to see you as a creature of an almighty and all-powerful state?"
Most people, when confronted by that question, are not willing to be seen as creatures of an almighty and all-powerful state. They recognize that another name for such a system is totalitarianism.
The state itself is most interested in eliminating anymention of a Creator from the political discussion.
Those invested in expanding the power of the state understand that if citizens are reminded of the existence of that Creator, they might also remember that their human rights flow from Him, and that the purpose of government is to protect the fundamental rights that every human person intrinsically possesses.
The state isnot at all interested in having citizens remember those facts, so their insistence on silence about that Creator is understandable.
What is not so understandable is the willingness of so many churches to cooperate in that silence. The voice of the church is about more than issues, although certainly issues matter. It is about more than policies and programs, although certainly those policies and programs have a real impact on our lives.
But more fundamentally, the voice of the church is about reminding our elected and appointed government officials that there is a higher power than the state. And that the appropriate role of the government is not to decide what rights, if any, the citizens will be allowed to have.
The appropriate role of government is to protect the rights-to life, liberty, and property - that every citizen was created with. It is the appropriate role of church to speak, often and persuasively, about the reality of the Creator, about the inalienability of human rights, and about the fact that there is a limit to the legitimate authority of the state.
No other entity can effectively fill that role.
When our churches are silent, they create a vacuumthat government is hungry to fill. The result is always disastrous. Today, our beloved America is locked in a titanic struggle over her very soul.
Let us hope that it is not lost because our churches opted not to fight for it.
(Peg Luksik is a wife and mother of six. She has been working on education and family issues at the state and federal levels for more than two decades.)
Proof of the fact that America continues to anger God is the Democrat ticket that clueless Americans appear to support.
I take it as a good sign that Obama has’nt been spending his Sundays at Black churches and photo op’s. There are a number of Black ministers in Memphis who’ve spoken out against Obama.
God needs a mouthpiece? I’m very surprised to hear that!
The churches in America need to realize that so much is at stake in this election. They need to be encouraging radical intercession for our nation in their churches. We need to be on our knees daily, repenting of our sins and the sins of our nation.
Not every Church is remaining silent. The Catholic Church has been making some firm statements about core issues. NO doubt there will be retribution when the leftists take over.
Watch film and pass it along. This site is getting more hits than MoveOn.org
What are the two most important things to talk about in life? Religion and Politics, is anything more closely related? The fact that the churches are keeping quite is why this socialist is having is way with the race. If it wasnt for core Christian values, we wouldnt have a conservative base at all!
What are the two most important things to talk about in life? Religion and Politics, is anything more closely related? The fact that the churches are keeping quite is why this socialist is having is way with the race. If it wasnt for core Christian values, we wouldnt have a conservative base at all!
Great observation. Obama's Liberation Theology, taught by Rev Wright and with an Islamic nature by Farakhan, does not resemble Christianity. In Detriot, on 1200 AM, there is a conservatice radio show run by black ministers that target the hood. It is called Joshua's Trail and is very fun to listen to. Joshua's Trail gets it.
I agree with you. The churches are caught in a difficult position. To maintain one's tax exempt status, churches are not to make political statements in general (I think there are some exceptions, such as abortion). Under Clinton, the IRS was instructed to go after white congregations in some areas. Personally, I think some congregations have been quiet for fear of gov't harassment and are being very careful not to draw attention. It is expensive for a congregation to hire a lawyer and defend itself.
Thanks — inroads do exist!
Absolutely! Joshua's Trail BUMP!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.