Why is it that Muslims are allowed to spread out their mat then kneel and pray in public, while Christians are told to keep their faith to themselves?
Why is it that the names of Allah, Krishna, Rhea, Ishtar, Zeus, and thousands of other deities are allowed to be mentioned publicly, but we're told that the name of Jesus should be a private matter?
Why is it socially acceptable to holler out the name of Jesus as a swear word or to use his name in vain, but it is not socially acceptable to use his name publicly in a worshipful manner?
Why is it that homosexuals can demean, denigrate, curse, and threaten a Christian without fear of governmental intervention and even commit vandalism on church buildings, yet if a Christian merely quotes Bible verses about homosexuality, it's called a hate crime?
Why is it that Muslims are allowed to publicly quote the Quran and Hindus can openly quote the Vedas, but Christians are told that reading the Bible openly is considered offensive, and intolerant?
Why are Hinduism (Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, etc.), Islam, Theosophy, and other forms of religious activity openly taught and practiced in public schools, yet Christians are warned not to openly teach or display Christianity on public property?
Why is it acceptable to publicly display hundreds of religious symbols and beliefs, yet Christians are challenged to remove publicly displayed Christian symbols?
Why is it that our nation must put aside our foundational Christian beliefs in our own land in order to not be offensive, yet adherents of other religions -- from other countries -- have the right to openly display their religion in our land?
Why is it that Christians in our own country are commanded to be tolerant of and accept other religions, but those of other faiths on American soil are not required to be tolerant of Christianity?
Why is it that our government, while tolerant of all other religions, expresses contempt for Christianity?
Why is it that we spend money to preserve unborn (unhatched) spotted owls, forest salamanders, and other animals, while simultaneously spending money to kill unborn humans?
Why is it that our own Congress -- consisting of our own United States citizens -- tends to limit or outlaw our national freedoms which are guaranteed to our citizens by our own Constitution and Bill of Rights, yet they favor granting freedoms to citizens of foreign countries who live here illegally?
Why is it that our Congress talks about reducing the financial support of our own citizens who have paid into the system for decades, while increasing the financial support of foreigners who have not paid into it?
Why does our government come against Americans who stand for the foundational principles upon which this great nation was founded, while they defend people -- both U.S. citizens and foreigners alike -- who would destroy our national heritage?
Why is it that Congress and the Supreme Court allowed former presidents to change our nation's values and economy single-handedly, and the president and Congress allowed the Court to legislate from the bench, without employing the "checks and balances"?
I can go on-and-on, but maybe you get the point.
But why is it?
Here's why. Over the years America has been lied to. We have been told that America must not offend anyone. It doesn't matter that the world is offending us, and it doesn't matter that our own government is limiting our own civil liberties, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and all the rest. And our President, Congress, and the Supreme Court seem to be unaware that our freedoms are being diluted or deleted. Or is that their intent?
Some folk think if we elect the right man for president that things will get better. I have news for you: even if he makes the correct decisions, the president cannot do it alone. The anti-American sentiment crosses political boundaries.
We know that a socialist or ultra-liberal can make things worse; but even a president who adheres to traditional American values cannot help us if we -- as a nation -- won't return to faith in God. It goes beyond government: it's a matter of spiritual values.
Second Chronicles 7:14 says: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."
-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, mentor and president of the Siloam Springs (Ark.) Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 08/17/2017