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by Gary Cass
If we want religious liberty to continue in America, we need a strong defense against the current model of tolerance. Our argument must have a firm foundation. Fortunately, we do not have to look very far. We simply need to reclaim the ideas of our nation’s Founders and tap into the rich vein of Christian principles that were the basis of their original vision of religious liberty.
The present tolerance philosophy in America has led to a showdown between secular humanism and Christianity. Modern tolerance is not tolerant at all. It is actually an intolerant, humanistic worldview that denies that there is any truth. It claims that one view, idea, religion or truth claim cannot be regarded as superior to another view, idea, religion or truth claim. Of course, there is one truth claim that cannot be doubted as superior—the truthfulness of skepticism. We cannot doubt our doubts, but we must not believe our beliefs. This is utterly self-defeating.
Christians cannot accept tolerance except by denying their faith in Christ as “the Truth.” It is getting to the point where we must either shut up or be accused of being hateful. It is tragic that Christians, who actually gave the world a sound foundation for liberty, might be shut down in the name of liberty by the very ones who benefited from Christian tolerance.
One author makes this point by comparing the original thirteen colonies to a boat. First the Pilgrims and then the Puritans came looking for freedom from the oppression of the Church of England. Eventually, they learned to tolerate each other. Then came the Baptists, the Presbyterians and all Protestants. Eventually Catholics, liberal Christians then all Christians were extended acceptance in the colonial boat. Next Jews, Muslims, and Hindus found refuge in the vessel. Finally, toleration was extended to atheists and the antireligious. Now, the last ones in the Christian boat of tolerance want to push the Christians out. Supporters of tolerance really want freedom from religion.
By What Standard?
America’s future comes down to answering the question, What standard will the people demand their elected officials to follow? For Christians, the principles written in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution make perfect sense because they are based on “the laws of nature and of nature’s God.” They can be embraced as a sound and rational basis for ordered liberty under God, especially the statement that “all men are created equal,” and “all men are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights.” These were established on biblical truths. But where do humanists, who deny the existence of God, obtain their source of right and wrong?
One of America’s most courageous and eloquent Founding Fathers, Patrick Henry, reminds us, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!” Our civil society is based on a Christian moral imagination and produced the greatness of America. This tried and true path needs to be re-imagined in our day because the consequences of not doing so are disastrous.
If America is swept away in the wave of tolerance, we will have nothing to cling to, including no standard of right and wrong. Then all becomes vanity. Life turns into the pursuit of materialism. Self-centeredness reigns. Where there is no constructive vision, but only selfish indulgence and pleasure seeking, nations die. Only by returning to our Founders’ vision can we be secure in liberty’s safe harbor. For the sake of our children’s future, we must see to it that America becomes firmly attached to our great Judeo-Christian moral, spiritual and intellectual foundation. The first step is to stop the Christian bashing that seeks to tear down our great Christian faith and heritage.
Why America?
Many Christians in America have been silent as our opposition has slowly and carefully worked to undermine the foundations of the greatest nation in the history of the world. Why does Satan hate America? Because the United States funds 95 percent of Christian missionary efforts around the world, while being home to only 5 percent of the world’s population. Yet, while Satan’s kingdom is being plundered around the world, we have lost significant ground at home.
The majority of the Church is passively consenting to her own demise—with spiritual wax in her ears. Ministers’ warnings go unnoticed, dismissed as the ranting of fanatics.
If God is going to preserve America for another 200 years, it will be because Christians, whom God used to give us these precious liberties in the past, rise up and take the future back from the anti-Christian spirit of the age.
We can do it with God’s help. We need not despair. Armed with the Truth of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can prevail. It has been done in the past and can be done again. To do so, the Church must recapture a vision of America that is worthy of our God and of our Christ.
Who Do You Choose?
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! What about you? Together, by the grace of God, we can bring Jesus Christ, His saving grace, and His holy commands to our fallen and broken culture. How exciting it is to be part of God’s greater purposes in the world, whereby He is subduing all things unto Himself in His Son. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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Adapted and used with permission from Christian Bashing by Dr. Gary L. Cass.
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