I know a lot of Christians who aren’t going to like this post. I thought it would be best to get that out of the way now. And I’ll preface my post by saying that I am a Christian myself.
I was recently subjected to a rant about the absolute calling that all Christians have to stand up and demand that the United States government get itself some morals. Ummm….isn’t the government an entity that’s for the people, by the people? And at last check, ALL the people aren’t Christians. Not to mention that most of the men and women in the Legislative, Judicial and certainly the Executive branches of our government suck at implementing religious creeds. Who am I kidding? They suck at implementing almost everything. What in the world makes Christians think they’ll do a great job at upholding personal values for other people? Insanity.
The person vomiting their religious spew upon me was quite adamant that all Gay’s should die, all abortionists are headed straight to hell and that anyone who would not drop to their knees and profess that the Bible is absolute, and literal, truth was within mere moments of a sulfuric and outstandingly hot future. But most important in their religious rant was that the government should be the one to implement such policies, posthaste. Well, I’m fairly certain that God Himself isn’t interested in turning over His job to the United States government just yet. So, I’ll tell you the same thing that I told them…
First and foremost, the government isn’t capable of preaching ANY gospel, much less spreading any good news. It’s not what they are designed for nor is it what they are responsible for. The United States government’s job encompasses nothing more than promoting the general welfare and providing for the common defense of the American people. Period. They are not in place to promote any one religion. The thought is absolutely ridiculous.
I then explained to my shocked audience of one that it’s not that difficult to look around and see that the James Dobson’s of the world are causing more harm than good. If it’s homosexuality that the Christian fanatics want less of, then perhaps they should look around and see the way they are going about it is all wrong.
Ten years ago, there weren’t gays kissing on TV and the institute of marriage wasn’t under such scrutiny. So how’s that homosexual hate working for you, guys? Catch a clue, already. And don’t give me the “it’s the devil” crap. It’s not the devil, folks. It’s asking an entity to promote an individuals decision. It hasn’t, and won’t, ever work. That’s good old fashioned stupidity. See the difference?
And besides, why do you care who’s sleeping with whom? How’s it affecting you in any way? Well, I’ll tell you how it’s going to affect you soon if you don’t shut up. Once the government can become involved in gay marriage, they can also become involved in your straight one. That’s how it works. The door is open for the government to come in and tell you what you can and can’t do in your own bedroom. Hell, in my state oral sex is already banned. How is that any business of the state and federal governments?
And about abortions…are people still getting diverted from the real issues by getting hung up on this one? Face it, if women want to spread their legs and then not take personal responsibility because they couldn’t say no or were too embarrassed to buy some latex, they’ll get pregnant at some point. Nothing the law ever says will stop abortions. Nothing. These pathetic women will just go to some butcher and do it that way. It’s history people. Pick up a book occasionally.
Political and religious aspirations won’t stop abortions and Christians and other religions are chasing their tails trying to get their views passed. And what’s more…they’ve already lost one time. You have heard of Roe vs Wade, right? Take the blinders off and realize that abortion platforms are smoke screens to hide the issues that are taking away your freedoms and your civil liberties.
Now, on to the good stuff. When Christians began their crusade to push the government into handling religious issues, what they actually accomplished was in forcing the government to really listen to every single personal issue to come down the pipe. How would Christians feel if we were forced to travel to Mecca once in our lifetime? How about our kids being forced to kneel five times a day facing east while attending a school that our tax money paid for? Sounds crazy, right? Well, isn’t that exactly what you’re demanding everyone else who doesn’t believe in Jesus do? I have news for you, that sounds just as crazy to someone who doesn’t believe the way that you believe. And they are and will continue to fight that. It’s their American right to do so and I’m glad of it.
Pushing personal views into the public arena is what got prayer taken out of school in the first place. If you’d hush and allow people to live their lives and make their choices, you’d still be able to pray. Are you ever going to learn?
It’s time that true and genuine light was shed on some of these issues. Jesus didn’t try to change the government. It’s what the Israelites wanted then, too. He changed the people. He touched individual lives. Not the government. That’s what we’re called to do, also. We’re not called to run around trying to make the government do something that’s our job. How lazy and pathetic is that?
It’s time that fanatical Christians stop shooting doctors and start volunteering their time at pregnancy clinics. It’s time that denominations aren’t talked about as much as truth is talked about. It’s time that fanatics stop demanding that everyone do things THEIR way and start doing things the way God said to do them. And it begins with us. It begins with personal responsibility and eyes that are wide open.
Look around and really see. Look around and recognize that the problem isn’t in laws that adhere to truth and dignity. It’s when people stop adhering to truth, grace and dignity that we’ve had such a problem. The light on a hill wasn’t referring to Capital Hill. It was referring to individuals. It’s time to quit following along like sheep and become individuals again.
It’s time that people recognize that you can’t push yourself and your views on someone else. God Himself can’t even do that…
When an understanding of God’s unity increases, the concerns about the effects of differing opinions diminish because spiritual reasoning includes the recognition that God is one, everywhere,and that there is no power or presence that can separate us from Him, His unity or anything else. I think people push their beliefs because they don’t have faith, all they have is belief and they are trying to prove that it is right.
Bravo!
I have often wanted, but have yet to have the chance, to ask a Christian who is adamant about prayer and the bible in public schools: “Okay, what bible from what religion and what god will they pray to?”
If you let Christianity into public schools, you have to let them ALL in. If you let the KJ Bible into public schools, you have to let the Koran in too.
Also, I hear Christians say all the time that allowing gay marriage destroys the sanctity of marriage, but not one single one of them has explained HOW this will happen. Not to mention that divorce among Christians is at 58%…how is that NOT destroying the sanctity of marriage?
You make excellent points and arguments.
You know a lot of Christians out there won’t like this post, and you’re quite right. Many won’t. But you’re also a Christian, as you say two sentences later, and there are plenty of Christians who would agree with the majority of your sentiments. I’m one of them.
Excellent points. Well done.
Most would categorize The United States as a democratic republic. No one would call it a theocracy. Let’s hope no one ever does.
It’s too bad that we haven’t heard from the other side of the coin… I agree with most of your points but not necessarily your delivery. If you want to promote Agape Love you must also practice it. What comes from ones mouth is often more harmful than ones actions. I’m not judging here I just recognize your defensive tone. By the way, you mentioned at the end of your post that God can’t force someone to believe/conform and that is not true. Daniel 4 is an excellent example of how God essentially forces king Nebuchadnezzar to humble himself to God – look it up. I would also be very careful putting limits on God’s abilities.
I believe one of the most dangerous lies has infiltrated the body of Christ. I have run into many confessing Christians such as the ones you have described in your post. It is terribly sad to think that they believe that sort of behavior is indicative of a true follower of Christ. I firmly believe that nothing can remove a believer from the hand of Christ not even ones self. However the gift of salvation is given only to true followers/believers therefore, something can not be taken away if it was never received. Many Christians believe Grace will replace true devotion and that is a lie. Christ’s greatest commands are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. In addition we are told that what we do to others we do to Christ. We are commanded to practice Agape love and I believe the ability to practice Agape love is only given by God. If one does not practice it then they may have never been given the ability which could mean that they are not true Christians.
Matthew 7:21-23 illustrates well how many confessing Christians will not be accepted by Christ because He never knew them. Why didn’t He know them because they never practiced Agape love – loved their neighbor like themselves or loved their enemies.
Even Satan knows Christ along with all of the fallen angels so belief in Christ is not the path to salvation, it is devotion to His will.
Hear, hear!
As a ‘Christian’ I am often surprised that so many Christians do not know the history of the Church upon which Christianity is built. The Church itself has dirty hands and many of the ‘morals and values’ spewed by the Church goes back to its own internal social and political strife from the later part of the 1st century — yes the Church has always been dysfuntional yet the Church wants to live by standards it has not mostly followed. Certain common values, common decency, rules and laws are necessary for society to function but whose morals are correct? The Church has almost become cult like — if you don’t beleive exactly what it says you are a heathen. Ridiculous! What about the people before the 1st century before there was Christianity are they all going to hell? I don’t think so.
The Church professes that it talks for God — I don’t believe that either. The Church as a body is not a moral dictator. As for gays and God hating them, I know the Bible says that it is a sin but the Bible was written by men from the Church who had political and social motives. God created ALL people — why then would HE hate gays or left handed people, or blonds, or red heads or ANY people. He made us and thought we were all perfect. If HE didn’t believe diversity was good HE wouldn’t have created different people. No man speaks for God. God is God and HE speaks for HIMSELF. God gave us all free will; why can’t man allow other men the free will given to us by God? Does man and the Church believe their reasoning is better than God’s? Free will. Diversity. God gave these to us for us to embrace. I am not gay but I believe God is smarter than ALL of us and knows what he is doing.
The Messiah did not come to make this wicked world a “better place”, He came to call those who truly believe in Him out of this world and into an Eternal relationship with His Father and GOD, HE WHO is The GOD and Father of The Messiah’s Brothers and His Sisters! Those “members in particular” of The Body of The Messiah whose citizenship(Life) is in Heaven! They are not of those who “who love this world and it’s things” nor are they of those “whose god is their bellies because they mind earthly things”!
Simply, those who have received “a love of The Truth” and have “set their affections on Heavenly things” for they Love only that which is Real, because they realize only that which is Real is Forever!
Peace, in spite of the dis-ease(no-peace) that is of this wicked world, for “the WHOLE world is under the ocntrol of the evil one” indeed and Truth…….
francisco