Posted on 08/13/2003 8:05:07 AM PDT by DesertGOP
If it’s true that for a stone to avoid gathering annoying moss it needs to keep moving, then evangelical Christianity in America today may best be analogized as a boulder entangled in and about to suffocate from the fungus of legislative anti-Church doctrine bigotry. But, instead of righteously fighting back and serving as the “salt and the light” in all aspects of civilization—as mandated in scripture—within the papier-mâché walls of Christendom, an alarming trend of political apathy continues to covertly (or overtly) be preached from the pulpit to the pews.
For reasons of bowing down to the image of “political correctness,” or admonishment to withdraw from the public square altogether in anticipation of the impending Great Tribulation, followers of Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century are duped into believing that traditional Biblical teachings about right and wrong are either passé and outdated, or wasted on a society headed for the fire and brimstone much sooner than later anyway.
In the land of the pseudo-free and the home of the evangelical brave-less, are we who claim to follow the teachings of Messiah suffering under the high price paid by the silent majority and its leaders for staying quiet far too long? Quite possibly this is the case, because with passage of a bill that has received virtually no attention during California’s circus-like recall parade, Gov. Davis recently signed into law AB 196—scheduled to take effect as early as Jan. 1, 2004.
If those of whom the Church would rather see saved from their wicked ways than forcibly appointed to positions of influence are not already banging on the sanctuary doors, they could very well soon be. AB 196—otherwise known as the “Cross-Dresser bill”—authorizes the state Fair Employment and Housing Commission to initiate government investigations and levy fines of $150,000 against business owners—including religious business owners and owners of Bible bookstores—and nonprofit organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, if they refused to hire a cross-dressing or transsexual job applicant. Property owners can also be investigated and fined if they refuse to rent to cross-dressers.
Unlike two previous similar bills that never made it to the Governor’s desk, AB 196 is poised to unleash the police power of the state against persons of conscience who disagree with transsexuality. According to the state Government Code, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing has virtually unrestrained power to 1) use any office in the state; 2) appoint attorneys and investigators; 3) utilize the services of all government departments and agencies; 4) rescind rules and regulations; 5) issue subpoenas; 6) administer oaths; 7) issue written interrogatories; 8) petition the courts to compel testimony; 9) issue and prosecute accusations; and 10) issue fines up to $150,000 without a trial.
Whatever you choose to call the growing bias against mainstream church circles, in general, and the causes thereof—social progress, political correctness run amok, or signs of the “End Times”—state and federal statutes like the Cross-Dresser bill and others should motivate and mobilize followers of any recognized religious persuasion to proactively protect their institutions from the same government intrusion that is so prevalent in other parts of the world. That means willfully engaging in the ongoing power struggles of the political realm with the same fervor of which Christians, in particular, are called in the New Testament to exert in fathomless measure in the spiritual domain, as well; there are no other options or additional free passes to simply warm the benches . Otherwise, bodies like today’s evangelical Christian Church might as well pack up their bags and go home to wait for a Second Coming that could be farther off than it thinks.
Proponents of time-tested, orthodox Christian lessons, in particular, would be better off for now to keep near the Rock and continuing to roll toward preservation of First Amendment free exercise of religion and free speech, if nothing else. Hopefully, it’s not too late; but, one thing is for sure—just like Rhett might have once quipped to Scarlett—the days of “playing Church” are gone with the wind.
Forgive me if I'm stepping on too many toes here, but after several years of trying so desperately to encourage those of the Christian faith to join me in being the "salt and the light" in all aspects of society--including (dare I say it!) "politics"--I just have to sound off over my disappointment and frustration at evangelical leadership, in particular, that seems more concerned about filling the pews every Sunday than getting out there and putting their faith on the line and in the public arena for the better.
I mean, at least in my neck of the woods in the High Desert of Southern Cal' (Victorville, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, etc.), it's like "pulling teeth" to get even a handful of mainstream churchgoers to vote these days, let alone participate with me in a peaceful protest (like the one we organized, "Don't Stall the Recall Voter Registration and Petiton Drive" this past July 5 in Apple Valley--where, with just four of us out there in 100-plus degree heat all day long--we not only rallied to gather over 150 additional recall signatures, signed up ten people to vote, but also made the FRONT PAGE of the local newspaper, The Daily Bulletin, that next Sunday morning).
This letter to the editor, "Days of Playing Church are Gone With the Wind," is my personal protest to the passive attitude that seems so prevalent in America's churches these days, especially how they see any involvement in the political process as, maybe, something dirty or sinful or simply a waste of time (and possibly not the "Lord's work," but the "devil's tool").
If my words are too offensive for most of you who frequent FreeRepublic.com, then I'll consider the majority of responses who request for me to stop posting such edittorials. Otherwise, I'll continue my "agenda" (HA!) to raise awareness in a slumbering Church that seems bent to either become more politically correct or cower in the corner just waiting for the Second Coming.
Thanks!
That big church has the potential to do great good, but there are afraid of offending anyone. I personally KNOW that the former Church Chairman voted for Clinton in both 1992 and 1996. There is no way that the church board will let the church do anything significant. OF course, they might be rightfully afraid of offending people who would otherwise become a Christian through the church. That is of more long-lasting value. But it might also be of eternal value to mobilize the members to be activisits who take their faith seriously in practical political terms, and talk to others about it.
I've noticed this myself and consider it a form of cowardice. I would much prefer to fight until the trumpet blows. Who knows how many would be saved if believers took a stand? Many will be offended and turn away, but some won't. It would be very arrogant for us to consign the whole lot to hell.
It seems to me that American Christians of all sorts have that "it won't happen to me/us; Not in America, we're good" attitude. It makes me think of the section somewhere in the NT that people are being born and dying, living their normal everyday lives, when the "End" comes and takes them by surprise.
That is precisely where the church in America is today.
Just like the citizens of Germany woke up one day, looked around and said to themselves and asked themselves, "How did this (1943) happen?" so American Christians will look around one day and discover that they ARE being persecuted and imprisoned for their faith, and they will ask, "How did this happen?"
Sad. But I agree with you.
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