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Are Christians in America being driven underground? The answer is a resounding yes!
Christians are being shoved out of mainstream society at an alarming rate. Everywhere
we look, there is overwhelming evidence to support this fact.
To begin with, laws have
been enacted that ban any and all references to Jesus in public places during the
holiday season and Easter, the mere mention of the Christian faith is prohibited within
our schools, and finally, an ever-growing number of churches are forced to cave in to
sociological demands to appease certain minority groups. These are all signs that we’re
quickly heading toward an age where true, Bible believing Christians will be forced to
meet clandestinely.
Heaven forbid if one says “Merry Christmas” in public!
Sad to say, we’ve been forced to take Christ out of the public arena. The fact that cities
and counties everywhere are caving in to looming threats of lawsuits from the ACLU
and individuals who feel they’ve been offended by the word Christmas or by a nativity
scene is alarming. More so than ever before, we’re keeping the light of Christ under a
bushel; we’re hiding Him in a closet and treating Him like He’s our dirty little secret.
Nowadays, private and public businesses alike are obligated to say “Happy Holidays”
and if they make the slightest mention of Christ, they’ll risk losing customers or face
potential lawsuits from individuals claiming to be insulted. On the same token, not only
are employees who happen to be believers afraid to discuss their faith in the Lord for
fear of being reprimanded or facing on the job discrimination or perhaps being fired,
they must surreptitiously whisper Merry Christmas to another, but only if he or she says
it first. How sad. The way the offended individuals make it sound, it’s a wonder that all
of civilization wasn’t emotionally scarred for life by having to hear the word “Christmas”
in the past.
I’m going to say the dirty word again:
Christmas.
CHRISTMAS!!!
There, that felt pretty good.
CHRISTMAS!!! CHRISTMAS!!! CHRISTMAS!!!
Even better.
CHRISTMAS!!! Seriously though, I
fear that soon, the same laws that have stricken the word Christmas from our public
vocabulary will be expanded to affect our private lives as well. And it goes even further
downhill from there. If this insanity isn’t stopped, Christianity will become illegal. Yes
folks, if Nicole Kidman can be quoted as saying: *"This is a small gesture and I would just
like to say I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year," to a bunch of little
kids at a special screening of "The Golden Compass" in Sydney Australia, then by all
means, we can do it too!
What are they going to tell our kids next?
The obstacles that Christian parents face while raising their young to become
upstanding citizens can be overwhelming, to say the least. The peer pressure that
children face every day, which must be counterbalanced with proper instruction, is
daunting enough for Christian parents. Add to that, the false realities that are planted
within our children’s minds such as evolution and relativism, along with a myriad of
non-Christian religions and all manner of sexual deviancies, which are being explored
and promoted within our schools. On the surface, investigating other religions may
seem harmless; however, being exposed to the niceties of these religions will only make
them seem appealing to the young, impressionable minds of our youths. From first hand
experience, I can say with absolute certainty that if one is not firmly grounded in their
faith, one can be led astray by other religions. Because of these issues, among the
myriad of others, more parents than ever before are home schooling their children.
There is an ongoing debate as to whether a Christian family should educate their
children via public schools or home school. On one hand, it is good to provide a safe
haven for our children from the pressures to misbehave, to do drugs, to have
pre-marital sex and all manner of other horrendous things. On the other, it is good to
be a light for the world. But if we’re not allowed to discuss Christ in the work place, then
how can we expect our children to fulfill the Great Commission within the schools? Until
society becomes as sensitive to Christians as it is to Muslims and Atheists, Christians will
be forced to educate our children at home. However, I fear that our parental rights to
home school our children will soon be taken away if we continue to allow society to walk
all over us.
Jesus who?
Proper instruction is necessary for growth and maturity; however, due to the lack of
Bible-based teaching in many of the churches today, Christians are forced to form home
churches where, for the time being, they can learn the Bible without fear of retribution
from society.
Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is given by inspiration of God for
correction and instruction. Despite this, the authoritative Word of God, the Bible, has
been re written, chopped and reworked in so many ways that many versions are barely
recognizable. Moreover, the world has been attacking Christianity for so long on the
basis that it promotes intolerance, violence and hatred that in an effort to keep the
doors open—and their coffers filled—the majority of pastors are tailoring their sermons
in order to avoid offending someone who might be living a deviant lifestyle. The
aftermath could be devastating if they don’t.
True, church is a business, but by giving in to society, not only is the growth of the one
or two stymied, but also, the entire flock’s growth is hindered. Think about this: As a
leader, which would you rather answer to God for: for trying your best to bring others
to repentance, or for allowing your flock to blindly wander down a path that only leads
to death?
Omitting certain parts of instruction to please one or two is the same as disrespecting
God’s Word. Because I am of the firm belief that the entire Bible is to be believed, not
just the parts that will please our current culture, I must ask: If one is going to teach
from only certain parts of the Bible—the parts that will coddle the feelings of the
minority—but won’t save them from an eternity without God, then what’s the point in
referring to the Bible as a basis for one’s teaching?
Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not saying that all of the churches are caving in to
sociological demands. What I am saying is that nowadays, the majority of preachers are
putting on a politically correct song and dance routine that couldn’t possibly upset
anyone. Rather than feed their followers the meat of the Gospel, the majority of clergy
members are stuffing the fluffy, side items down churchgoer’s gullets, which are not
filling in the slightest. People go to church because their souls are hungry for the Word
and because they’re thirsty for the living water. If I want to see an extravagant
performance, I’ll go to a circus.
John 3:17 proclaims: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might be saved.” Just because a homosexual happens to be
sitting in one of the pews doesn’t mean that sexual sin shouldn’t be brought up. People
go to church to hear the Word of God, not to be led astray. Suppose that there was a
murderer sitting in the audience, would a preacher decline to preach that murder is
wrong for fear of offending the murderer? Jesus didn’t tell us to pick and choose which
of His teachings to adhere to. And I don’t recall God saying that either. If He did,
someone please correct me.
For those who think that their feelings have been scorched by the Word of God, realize
this: Not only do true Christians speak out against sexual sin, such as homosexuality,
bestiality and fornication, but also, it’s in opposition to violence, hatred, course
speaking, disobedience, stealing, murder, and a whole host of other social ills. Contrary
to what some believe, Christianity does not promote violence and intolerance; it
promotes love for fellow man, even our enemies. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “But I
say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
The will of God is that none shall perish, that everyone shall come to repentance and
have everlasting life. However, salvation is dependent upon repentance. Jesus Himself
hung out with “sinners” because He loved them. It was for the “lost sheep” that He
came into the world. In Luke 15:7, Jesus said: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be
in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance.” (KJV)
If you happen to be a church leader or pastor that is satisfying the voracious appetite of
your congregants, I want to personally thank you. You deserve a commendation for
having the courage to obey Christ by nourishing the souls of your followers despite
what society says. You are a rarity. A true gem. Your church is an anchor for lost souls
and I hope that many people will flock to your church.
If and we continue to let the world have its way with us, laws will be passed giving
minorities the right to sue clergy members for preaching straight from the King James
Version of the Bible, from Romans chapter 1 in particular, and win.
What can we do to prevent becoming a socialist state?
Admittedly, I stand guilty of sitting idly by and keeping my mouth shut while this
madness seized hold of society, but not anymore. Though second Chronicles 20:15
proclaims that the battle is God’s, not ours, we can still fight back with prayer,
remaining faithful to the Lord, and by standing up for our rights. If we do not stand up
for our rights, then pastors will soon be jailed for preaching the whole Word of God, our
children could be removed from our homes due to our religious convictions and the
government will be able to shut down a business because they’ve hired an outspoken
Christian.
At the very least, we can do our best to ensure that if society is going to ban discussions
on Christianity within our schools, workplaces and everywhere else, we can make sure
that they’ll prohibit any discussions about other religions as well.
*In the article dated December 18, 2007: “Wish upon this star - Nicole Kidman” Alyssa Braithwaite, National Entertainment Writer, quoted Nicole Kidman as saying, "This is a small gesture and I would just like to say I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year." http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22944598-5001026,00.html
Every church is driven by something. Tradition,
finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick
Warren believes that in order for a church to be healthy it must become a purpose-driven church by Jesus. Now the founding pastor
of Saddleback Church shares a proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow...Warmer through fellowship - Deeper
through discipleship - Stronger through worship - Broader through ministry - Larger through evangelism. Discover the same
practical insights and principles for growing a healthy church that Rick has taught in seminars to over 22,000 pastors and church
leaders from sixty denominations and forty-two countries. The Purpose-Driven Church shifts the focus away from church
building programs to emphasizing a people-building process. Warren says, "If you will concentrate on building people, God will build
the church."
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Rick Warren is a gifted author who helps people and churches reach their
maximum potential. 
