There is a disturbing movement in this country to change history and alter the basic agreements on which this country was founded. It springs from the sincere belief that Bible-based Christian values would do a better job of guiding this country than our current set of laws. But it doesn’t stop there. It goes on to suggest that the original intent of the founding fathers was to create an evangelical Christian nation and that it is the duty of every “person of faith” to reclaim this country for Christ.
I think that I qualify as a person of faith. I’m a Christian who reads the Bible every day and believes in the power of prayer. That’s my choice, not my obligation. My “right to choose” is what this country was founded on and not the choice itself.
The founding fathers were deeply religious but also came from colonies with official Christian religions. In early New England biblical law was common law. Much like some political evangelicals of today, the Puritans felt they had a holy mission to demonstrate the “right way” to worship, think, and govern. Their colonial history included not only witch burning and Quaker hanging, but also military action against unbelievers.
The promise of our nation is that we offer everyone the same opportunities regardless of gender, color, or creed. Whether you believe in the Bible, the Koran, the Torah, Darwin, or Budweiser; you are equal under the law. Individual religions have every right to believe that they know the only way to heaven. They have no right to dictate how anyone else should believe or live.
When it comes to questions of history, don’t just believe your pastor or me. Find out for yourself. I recommend mainstream historian Garry Wills’, Under God: Religion and American Politics for an unbiased view.
Democracy is messy. It challenges us to make difficult choices. It’s a moving rough and tumble target. When you contrast this with the clarity and pure ideals of most religions, it’s easy to be tempted. But just as Jesus had to reject the desert temptation of ruling the world in order to save it, we have to reject the current false promise that our country’s salvation lies in adopting a “Christians preferred” Bible-based form of government.
I so glad someone is blogging about this issue. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I’ve been a Christian my entire life. And oh my yes, I’m a sinner. We’re human. We err. But I think there should also be an eigth deadly sin, hypocrisy.
I watched a segment on TV that is very poignant to what you stated. Good Morning America hosted a brief discussion between Glen Beck of CNN and a Muslim American representative, (Excuse me. I’m not very good with far eastern names). Beck stated that if the moderate muslims do not speak up against the radical fundamentalists within their religion, there may be a WWIII. To give us a perspective from the other side of the world, a very wise statement was made that until the entire world removes religion from politics to include Palestine, Israel, and the U.S. there will be no piece. That was pretty much back atcha in the face.
I also read the bible, and we know there are much better passages in there that we should follow first and foremost as a nation and that is don’t cast stones. Perhaps we should take that big finger we point at everyone else and aim it back at ourselves.
As Christians we all pretty much agree there will be judgment in the afterlife. We were given free will or rather the choice to either tow the line or sin our hearts out, worldly things being so much more enticing. When someone starts encroaching on my freedom to choose between right and wrong, they are not only stepping on my constitutional freedom, but also my free will.
Valeria,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
I particularly liked your last sentence. I agree that mandating narrow views of morality through the force of law may in fact stunt real spiritual growth by removing the opportunity to freely choose the better path.
The Bible tells us that we are all created in God’s image and likeness. Jesus told us the two great commandments were to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. It’s easy to love those who share your views and values. The real challenge is to love those who oppose everything that you hold near and dear. But I can’t find any examples in the Bible where Jesus offered any exceptions to the rule of universal love. Even in his last moments before he died on the cross, he asked forgiveness for those who hated him and all he stood for. Can we honestly call ourselves Christians and aspire any less?
Jeff
No. That is why I admire greatly the Amish family involved with the deaths of their children by a shooter at their school, and others I’ve seen in the media, that honestly forgive those that inflicted harm to their loved ones. I see no point in seeking vengeance either. It simply doesn’t change things and sometimes serves to eat us up.