Persecuted but Not Discouraged – Part 2

In an earlier post I wrote the following: “Today powerful forces in the West are also trying to wipe out Christianity.” Now I am not a conspiracy theorist and I don’t see all kinds of sinister plots around every corner. However, when something is so obvious, you have to call it as you see it, and that’s what I’m doing. You may be wondering, Who or what are these “powerful forces” I alluded to?

There are a number of these forces at work to diminish, limit, and marginalize Christianity, religion in general, and Christian belief in particular. I’m not paranoid – just look at the actions of each group and see for yourself.

(1) The Entertainment Industry. If it isn’t obvious to you that the entertainment industry is hell-bent on putting down Christianity and Christians, then you don’t watch TV or movies. I’m not just talking about the sex and violence, but about the anti-Christian messages you get in TV shows and movies. Sometimes it’s in-your-face. Other times it’s more subtle. But it’s there. Watch for it.

I might also mention that the Entertainment Industry doesn’t want to “offend” anyone, except for Christians. People of faith are mocked and much of the programming on TV and comedians’ monologues are highly offensive to Christians and all people of faith.

(2) Government. While the government is supposed to be neutral concerning religion and is not to interfere with practice thereof according to the First Amendment, the fact is that government has become anti-Christian in a number of ways. First, court cases. Second, some laws that are passed by our legislators. Third, some of the things President Obama has said. The trends are not good, so we must keep our senators and representatives accountable. Remember, we voted them in and we can vote them out.

(3) Academia. Political Correctness rules on college campuses, and being a Christian is not considered PC. High schools have allowed all kinds of clubs to use their facilities after school, but not Bible clubs. Court cases have determined it is constitutional to allow a Bible club to meet on school property as any other activity is permitted. However, schools persist in trying to ban any kind of religious club from using their facilities.

School children have not been allowed to express their religious beliefs in their papers, speeches, or other works. Students have been given an “F” grade if a piece of artwork or a paper contains any references to their faith. Academia at all levels is just plain terrible.

(4) Advocacy Groups. Groups such as the ACLU are aggressive, intimidating, and have plenty of money to attack Christians. Just look at all the lawsuits that have been involved in trying to remove a cross, the Ten Commandments, and other so-called “religious” items from public view.

So you can see that there are aggressive, well-funded, and powerful forces at work, and they are well-positioned to influence our thinking. But God is more powerful than any of these, and God will prevail, as it says in 1 John 4:4b: The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (NRSV)