As we approach Independence Day, I'm confused about a group known as the Freedom from Religion Foundation. It promotes non-religion—that is, the right not to believe in God. I guess I'm confused because the right not to believe is a belief! This group believes there is not a supreme being.
But the Freedom from Religion Foundation does not call atheism a religion because then the foundation would have to free itself from itself. However, atheism is a belief system. Atheism purports to answer the questions: where did I come from? (a one-celled amoeba) What's wrong with the world? (religion) What's the meaning of life? (leave it better than it was) Where do I go when I die? (nowhere) It fails to answer what "better" would look like because, of course, truth to them is relative. But I digress. For a fuller treatment of this subject, read chapter 6 of my book, When Christ Sets You Free.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation actively seeks to eliminate religion from secular society—schools, the airways, the halls of Congress and state legislatures, and the military, to name a few. Its lawyers sue to stop public prayers and other displays of religion, such as manger scenes on public lawns. Of course, it also wants to express freely its right to win converts to its position, or-er-belief in nonbelief.
If the U.S. were "free" from religion, we would then only be "free" to practice non-religion. We would have to live as though we were not religious—except in our churches, synagogues, and mosques.
I think I've just described Communist Russia, where the religious were only allowed to practice their faiths in a few state-sanctioned churches—churches that abided by the rules imposed on them. This is still the case in Communist China.
This way of life is not appreciably different from the many countries that allow only one state-sanctioned religion. For example, you are only "free" to be a Muslim.
I'm beginning to wonder if freedom from religion isn't religious oppression. Methinks this Independence Day, I'm going to thank God for freedom to worship in America. I may not have many more opportunities.
Showing posts with label independence day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independence day. Show all posts
Friday, June 29, 2012
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Freedom: Independence Day?
Freedom is somewhat like oxygen. We don’t miss it unless we don’t have it.
Those of us celebrating the July 4th weekend in America have always had a relatively "free" life. However, even with the protections of the Constitution, we are not completely free to do as we please. (You can't cry "fire" in a crowded theater, for example.) But if you're interested in total personal freedom, I have an idea for you.
Did you know you could become the head of your own government and establish or eliminate any laws you please? It’s true. Simply live on a boat in international waters. Of course, you’ll have to provide your own drinking water, food, and so on. But you get to be in charge.
Wonder what it would be like to live in a place without rules and regulations? Most people understand that when we choose personal freedom, we lose the “perks” of a well-ordered society— a trade-off if one’s goal is liberty from man-made laws. But what about God’s laws? Are they in effect even in international waters?
That's one of the issues I'm pursuing in my second book, due out before Christmas, 2011. The idea of freedom in Christ vs. living in obedience to our Lord fascinates me. Are we free in Christ? If so, what does that freedom look like? Sometimes our freedom seems quite limited by life circumstances.
In March, following a vicious attack by two dogs, my Maltese poodle named Lily had to wear a cone-like plastic hood. This “party hat,” as my vet likes to call it, kept Lily from chewing her stitches, but it also limited her favorite activity—gnawing on a rawhide bone perched between her two front paws. From behind the hood, Lily's pleading eyes looked at me as though I were a monster.
“Just for another week,” I explained to Lily, scratching her ears and expecting her to understand. Forlorn and defeated, Lily rested her chin on the plastic prison. Even if she had understood, a week was a lifetime to a 15-month-old puppy.
When God's plan involves curtailing our activities—whether through difficulties of health or finances or family relationships—we must look at Him like Lily looked at me. We don't see His grand design for our lives, or something He's trying to teach us, or the necessity of His having to call a halt to our plans.
God’s plan from the beginning of time was to free humankind from prisons of self, sin, and the law. A perfect sacrifice—the incarnate God-man—would pay the eternal consequences of our human condition. That's the best kind of freedom we could ever want. And it's available to everyone, everywhere. Happy "independence day" for all who are "dependent" on God.
Those of us celebrating the July 4th weekend in America have always had a relatively "free" life. However, even with the protections of the Constitution, we are not completely free to do as we please. (You can't cry "fire" in a crowded theater, for example.) But if you're interested in total personal freedom, I have an idea for you.
Did you know you could become the head of your own government and establish or eliminate any laws you please? It’s true. Simply live on a boat in international waters. Of course, you’ll have to provide your own drinking water, food, and so on. But you get to be in charge.
Wonder what it would be like to live in a place without rules and regulations? Most people understand that when we choose personal freedom, we lose the “perks” of a well-ordered society— a trade-off if one’s goal is liberty from man-made laws. But what about God’s laws? Are they in effect even in international waters?
That's one of the issues I'm pursuing in my second book, due out before Christmas, 2011. The idea of freedom in Christ vs. living in obedience to our Lord fascinates me. Are we free in Christ? If so, what does that freedom look like? Sometimes our freedom seems quite limited by life circumstances.
In March, following a vicious attack by two dogs, my Maltese poodle named Lily had to wear a cone-like plastic hood. This “party hat,” as my vet likes to call it, kept Lily from chewing her stitches, but it also limited her favorite activity—gnawing on a rawhide bone perched between her two front paws. From behind the hood, Lily's pleading eyes looked at me as though I were a monster.
“Just for another week,” I explained to Lily, scratching her ears and expecting her to understand. Forlorn and defeated, Lily rested her chin on the plastic prison. Even if she had understood, a week was a lifetime to a 15-month-old puppy.
When God's plan involves curtailing our activities—whether through difficulties of health or finances or family relationships—we must look at Him like Lily looked at me. We don't see His grand design for our lives, or something He's trying to teach us, or the necessity of His having to call a halt to our plans.
God’s plan from the beginning of time was to free humankind from prisons of self, sin, and the law. A perfect sacrifice—the incarnate God-man—would pay the eternal consequences of our human condition. That's the best kind of freedom we could ever want. And it's available to everyone, everywhere. Happy "independence day" for all who are "dependent" on God.
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