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The Confusion of
Christians (Part II) fortunes, 12 had their homes destroyed, 5 became prisoners of war, 1 had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship Jersey, 1 had a son killed in battle, 1 had his wife die from harsh prison treatment and 9 signers died during the War. John Hancock signed first, saying “The price on my head has just doubled.” Benjamin Franklin added, “We must hang together or most assuredly we hang separately.” Equally to the point were Samuel Adams’ words “We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let his kingdom come.” When we celebrate our Independence Day let us take to heart what John Adams said, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” Chief Justice John Marshall, 4th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court wrote to Jasper Adams on May 9, 1833: “The American population is entirely Christian, and with us Christianity and Religion are identified. It would be strange indeed, if with such a people, our institutions did not presuppose Christianity and did not often refer to it and exhibit with it.” How many politicians have I heard saying that they are Christians but cannot force their religious views on others, and therefore have to keep their religious views out of the political process? This of course is suicidal nonsense, and every American needs to be clear about it. The issue is not the religious views of a politician but God’s moral absolutes in government and whether he or she lives by them. The real issue is the reality of God’s moral absolutes in the life of a politician, because there is a correlation between the politician’s relation to those moral absolutes and the political decisions he or she makes. Very uncomfortable, isn’t it? If you keep God from the political process, you invite disaster—as it happened in Germany, the godless ran the German nation in to the ground and they are at it again. America is no different! All Christians need to constantly look at the voting record of their representatives because it will show what really guides them. It is also a misconception to think that trying to persuade somebody else means to force one’s religious views on others. I think that the shadow of the Middle Ages, when the kings forced their subjects to specific rules of worship, still looms over America. People are afraid that some fanatic might force everybody into a set of rules. Primitive people adhering to formal requirements like the Taliban and their brothers-in arms or those who promote political correctness, which in Germany under Hitler was called “the party line,” only prove that they do not have a relevant message and must therefore resort to lies and force in order to prevail. True religion promotes love and not hatred. I am talking about convincing others by example, through the life you live and the society you create. And if I look at the American society of today, I have to say that it doesn’t look very convincing. The American scene gives a contradictory picture. I believe that America is still a bulwark of freedom because there is a solid Christian and moral substance in certain sections of society. But it is also true that America’s Christian heritage is being attacked mercilessly and constantly. The moral battles being fought show that Christians and Conservatives are leading a defensive campaign and the majority does not fight. There is no unity of purpose and action. The reason for that is small thinking and moral compromises. I live with the knowledge that Germany, in spite of martyrs like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Claus von Stauffenberg, went down the drain because millions of church-goers gave evil leaders a free hand. A majority of pastors does not comply with their job namely fight that government leaders act according to God’ Commandments. Not only are the terrorists evil, but all those who defy God’s Commandments in the way he or she lives and acts are as well. The defensive posture of American Conservatives and Christians can have no other reason and it is urgent to find the offensive edge.
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