Religious Freedoms Might be Going, Going, Gone

August 21, 2003 | Rick J. Radecki

[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. (Note: I define “evangelical” here as those who look to the traditional Bible as the supreme norm of truth for Christian belief and practice; hold a supernatural worldview that is centered in a transcendent, personal God who interacts with creation; focuses on the forgiving and transforming grace of God through the historic Jesus Christ in the experience called conversion; and, believes that the primary task of Christian theology is to serve the church’s mission of bringing God’s grace to the whole world through proclamation and service.)

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 by their shepherds of the flock into believing that traditional Biblical teachings about right and wrong are either passé and outdated, or wasted on a society headed for the fire and brimstone much sooner than later anyway.

Oh, there are some courageous evangelical-friendly, conservative voices out there (some are professed evangelicals, some are not)—staunch defender of traditional family values, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Focus on the Family’s Dr. James Dobson, Christian broadcasting’s Pat Robertson, and the popular media’s controversial religious right “whipping boy,” Jerry Falwell—but they are like John the Baptist of old—voices “crying in the wilderness” of a culture gone astray. In the land of the pseudo-free and the home of the evangelical brave-less, are we, those lay persons who claim to follow the teachings of Messiah, suffering under the high price paid by our pastors, preachers and other spiritual leaders for staying quiet far too long?

Quite possibly, the handwriting may already be on the wall (or rather, on paper). With the signing of a bill that has received virtually no attention during the Golden State’s circus-like recall parade, California’s Gov. Davis has proven, if nothing else in this day and age, that politics trumps matters of free religious practice every time—in Davis’ case, either in spite of, or because of, a looming recall election on the horizon.

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.

But, while a nation’s moral underpinnings continue to collapse from the burdensome weight of relentless changing social pressures, what is today’s Church most concerned about? Answer: Just who believes in “speaking in tongues” and who does not; who believes that divine healing is for today and who does not; also, who believes in the Old Testament-introduced concept of tithing and who does not. In the meantime, it’s no wonder that other less-friendly forces have moved in to fill the void conspicuously left by a once influential and legitimate bastion of decency, virtue and reason.

To the opposition’s credit, their patience seems to have paid handsome dividends, indeed. They proceed to confidently march onward toward the goal of not only drawing near to, but, eventually, grabbing a hold of and challenging Holy Grail conventional notions of marriage, family and Biblical truths as the Ten Commandments (wherever they might be displayed in public view).

Whatever we call the growing bias against mainstream church circles—be it social progress, political correctness run amok, or signs of the “End Times”—apocalyptic state and federal statutes like the Cross-Dresser bill and others should motivate and mobilize followers of any recognized religious persuasion to protect their institutions from the same government intrusion that is so prevalent in those underprivileged parts of the world. That means willfully engaging in the ongoing power struggles of the political realm with the same fervor of which modern disciples of Christ, 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, if it’s just more of “business as usual” in many of our politically-inept houses of worship, one thing is for sure—just like veteran baseball announcer, Vin Scully, might quip—America’s religious freedoms may soon be going, going, gone!

[DesertGOP]

Yeah, yeah, I realize that I'm still going to "step on someone's toes" here, but I wanted to update an earlier version of a edittorial I penned (okay, actually "typed") on this same topic of an inactive evangelical church that seems contempt to watch a once-semi-moral society being flushed down the toilet of depravity and "realitivism."

In this particular commentary, I felt it necessary to provide a brief explanation of what I mean by "evangelical." This should clear up confusion, at least when it comes to whom I'm referring to as this type of believer in Christ.

Okay, let the tomatoes come a'-flyin'...I've got my over-sized catcher's glove ready to take 'em all. HA!

I'm just a frustrated born-again believer in Jesus who sometimes feel like "John the Baptist" of the 21st-century (at least in my neck of the woods in the High Desert of Southern Cal)--crying in the wilderness of a culture gone astray, each to his/her own desires, while the "ambassadors of Christ" cower in a corner somewhere waiting for a Second Coming that might be farther off than they think.

Sincerely

A Christian Conservative Activist's Voice in the High Desert

[Ahban]

I hear you. Make it DesertCONSTITUTIONPARTY and you will not be a lone voice.

[AnnaZ]

Excellent piece. Thanks.

[Humidston]

No tomatoes from this quarter. In fact, I see they're locking arms in Alabama so why don't we join the movement?

It's about time we get off our fannies and start shaking up some of those lying, corrupt pols - across the country/across the board. Tell them all we've had enough and we aren't gonna take it anymore!

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP

[Havoc]

I think we should organize a movement to impeach the eight judges.

[Humidston]

I would imagine those Christians in Alabama have a few tricks up their sleeves and that is a good thing. What I see all of the rest of us doing is drawing attention to those people who are putting it on the line for God and country - standing in the hot sun, being willing to be arrested for what they believe in.

If we don't do something soon, this dog and pony show will be coming soon to a theater near you! And me! And everywhere. Then it will be too late.

We'll be sneaking around making the <>< sign in secret and wondering where we went wrong.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Oh, there are some courageous evangelical-friendly, conservative voices out there (some are professed evangelicals, some are not)—staunch defender of traditional family values, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Focus on the Family’s Dr. James Dobson, Christian broadcasting’s Pat Robertson, and the popular media’s controversial religious right “whipping boy,” Jerry Falwell—but they are like John the Baptist of old...

You picked some lousy standard bearers who happen to have media exposure. Schlessinger is abandoning shallowly adopted Judaism and let her mother die alone, Falwell and Robertson blamed America for 9/11, and Dobson is nearly as bad.

At the same time, nobody is closing your church, you can donate as much time and money as you want to your ministries, you can wear religious themed items all you want and can publish and broadcast religious messages and music 24/7.

What is so all fire bad? Why do you so love being miserable?

[Robert_Paulson2]

Why do you so love being miserable?

---

It makes them miserable when they cannot use the power of government to direct our thinking and behaviors towards their concept of God and his laws.

But I think it is safe to say they represent less than three percent of the USA... seeing that during the "bucanan and keyes" revolts of the last election where they stayed home in protest of bush... they still garnered less than 1 percent in their votes for "other parties" and such.

On a practical note only 3000 people showed up for moore's vigils.. out of millions of available alabamans and even more millions of Americans. Many of those 3000 were out of state activist groupies of Keyes and Falwell...

EVERY religion-as-state theocrat wants to get into the government of others action, via means prohibited by the founders. It makes for great fundraising too. keep those cards and letters coming... and please include your "love gift."

If it isn't these more benign types, it would be the radical musli...
At least these brand of religiocrats aren't blowing up buildings and children for the sake of a ten commandments statue... not YET... and let's hope never.

They ARE doing a heckuva job however, self-fulfilling their own prophetic visions of doom and persecution with the ever present "woe is us" mantra.

AS long as we can live the faith we believe in, WHY insist every body acknowlege OURS is the law of the land. it is clearly proven NOT to be so.

[princess leah]

We could always start a pre-trib/post-trib rapture debate and see what Christians might think if they thought they would have to endure the 7 year tribulation (I personally am pre-trib all the way - Did God let Noah and his family be destroyed in the flood? NO...was it a judgement thing? YES...is tribulation a judgement thing? YES...there's terminology for this but it escapes me at the moment)...anyway, we are not like the 1st century Christians who were bold, brave and daring...we're soft, comfort driven, weak!

[Jim Cane]

where they stayed home in protest of bush... they still garnered less than 1 percent in their votes for "other parties" and such.

If they stayed home, then it follows that they would garner little of the vote. Logically, Logic is logical, and yet in such dire want of excercise.

[Robert_Paulson2]

if half stayed home... and half voted for the spoilers then that
1 + 1 would equal 2 percent...

was still less than three...

[Robert_Paulson2]

any relation to ARCANE?

[Robert_Paulson2]

retread?

[Robert_Paulson2]

ah yessss.... I see now.
"Since Jul 3, 2003"

[DesertGOP]

"You picked some lousy standard bearers who happen to have media exposure. Schlessinger is abandoning shallowly adopted Judaism and let her mother die alone, Falwell and Robertson blamed America for 9/11, and Dobson is nearly as bad.

"At the same time, nobody is closing your church, you can donate as much time and money as you want to your ministries, you can wear religious themed items all you want and can publish and broadcast religious messages and music 24/7."

In response, "Chancellor Palpatine," to your comments.......Gee! So how much of CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN--not to mention surfing Salon.com, etc.-- do you watch to get your daily dose of anti-Christian propoganda from? (No offense!) By the way, your subscription to the NY Times, Washington Post, and San Fran' Chronicle is about to
expire.

It seems to strange that you would say I chose some "lousy standard-bearers," when they are probably the most popular, widely-read, and listended to traditional family values mouthpieces out there today.

Dr. Laura, last I checked, was the #2-ranked radio talk-show host in the NATION! Dr. James Dobson continues to take a stand when most other defenders of the family would rather cower somewhere and wait for the controversy to subside--then, he also has probably sold more books and tapes on raising kids than some people will ever be aware of; Pat Robertson, in case you never checked into it, provides a practical approach to carrying out one's Christianity in today's complex world via CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) and the affiliated "700 Club." And, though Dr. Jerry Falwell may have sometimes appeared to go off the "deep-end" when it comes to voicing his own Christian beliefs--especially as how they apply to politics and social issues at large--I'd take his views over Hillary's "It takes a village to raise a child" dogma any day!

All these folks tell it like it is! Maybe that's why you appear so vehemently to disagree with me for having them serve as my "standard-bearers." Another thing, it seems that SO MANY people these days are, indeed, listening enough to these folks that their radio, TV shows continue to grow, their books and tapes continue to sell, and you can always catch one or the other on someone's radio and/or TV program standing up for absolute truth ("Absolute truth? What in the world is that? Aren't we all responsible for our OWN truth?"--Yeah, right!).

Or, has a good portion of the American public simply been duped and brainwashed by the "right-wing extremists religious, flag-waving, Bible-bashing, absolute truth-loving, God-fearing, patriotic, conservative fanatics like Schlessinger, Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, among others? Apparently, SOMEBODY out there is listening AND agreeing with what they have to say.

You're right when you say that nobody is closing our churches.......that is, not just yet. But, the signs of the times tell us that--read the implications of California Assembly Bill 196--those churches that DO NOT fall into line with the homosexual agenda, sometime not too far into the future, may very well be the first ones having no choice, but to either stand up and fight or close their doors and go underground (if you think for a minute that the struggle against traditional Biblical thinking is not intensifying even now, then, perhaps you should read and hear what Dr. Laura, Dr. James Dobson, Pat Robertson and others are reporting (but, then, they're "lousy standard-bearers" anyway, right?)

Yes, I could say more, but I'm on my way down to Alabama and defend Judge Roy Moore's and the state's right to practice religion without the Congress (or activist judges) restricting the same. I would highly recommend reading the U.S. Constitution some time, as well as tuning in some of those "lousy standard-bearers" for more than just two minutes at a time.

God bless my choice of "lousy standard-bearers" and may God bless America for the forum of discussing issues like this.

Have a blessed day,

DesertGOP

Hey, give the good Dr. Laura the credit, my friend, for at least publicly admitting that Judaism has left her high and dry. The lady's got some guts for putting herself out there like that. Can't you admit that?

[Jim Cane]

ah yessss.... I see now.

I feel bad for your having to mumble angrily to yourself. Very well, I'll play. Prove you can see. I say that if you do at all, it's through a glass darkly.

[Robert_Paulson2]

I am laughing, not angry at you.. retreads... can't live with em... and wouldn't want to... they add so much ambience.

lol.

[y2k_free_radical]

I'LL fight for my beliefs to the death

[LasVegasMac]

SPOTREP

Ok, I give....what does it mean?

LVM