Imagine No Religion

I don't post in several months and now two in one day...but this story was too good to pass up, given what I wrote about earlier. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is putting up five billboards across Phoenix. They range in messages from, "Imagine No Religion," "Beware of Dogma," and "Keep Religion OUT of Politics." Below is an example.

I will likely pass by at least two of them given my frequent trips to the state Capitol. Perhaps I will stop and get a picture. I don't know why the John Lennon song (blatantly ripped off for the sign above) is referred to as such an inspiring song. A few months ago, I touched on this depressing tune in a previous post (Imagine No Heaven). Obviously, countries without religion have been so successful that we need to replicate their efforts (North Korea, the U.S.S.R., etc.). While China has managed recent economic growth, I doubt the political prisoners arrested for owning a Bible would be willing to give an enthusiastic thumbs up to their country's brutal regime.

John Lennon's song conjures up a supposed utopia where there is no war and the people live for today. Removal of religion is a cornerstone to this utopia. I will be the first to say that countries founded by Christians utilizing Christian values and thought have not been perfect. But the freedom provided by these nations have provided an environment for growth in science and human dignity like the world has never seen. We will not see a utopia on this side of eternity. However, this does not mean we should stop efforts to stamp out injustices. That being said, getting rid of religion from American life is not and never will be the answer.

So The Pendulum Swings

It has been sometime since I have posted (mid-January). I was motivated to start back up again after reading this story. A survey released last week by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found a "narrow majority of the public saying that churches and other houses of worship should keep out of political matters and not express their views on day-to-day social and political matters." Apparently, for over a decade, Americans have supported religious institutions weighing in on such issues. The change of heart has come largely from people who describe themselves as conservatives. Those surveyed do not want purely secular elected officials, however, as they want their political leaders (including the President) to have strong religious beliefs. They are uncomfortable with politicians talking about how religious they are (wearing their faith "on their sleeve" so to speak).

It seems like a mixed message: churches shouldn't espouse their political/social views, but political leaders should have religious beliefs - however, they shouldn't talk about them very often. We should be careful when saying that churches have no place in discussing social and political matters. They were instrumental during the American Revolution, the abolition of slavery in England and America, not to mention the civil rights movement (Martin Luther King was a Baptist minister). The list could go on. I think the concern arises when churches enter political debate when it is perceived that they do not have their house in order. Some persons of faith are quick to judge society while not holding their fellow Christians accountable. Hence the claim of "hypocrites" by opponents to religion.

Religious institutions should engage on issues of importance to our great country. Participation has proved beneficial in the past and will in the future. We shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

No Excuses

It has been some time since I have posted. Quite frankly, I haven't felt the desire or the need. I have been doing a lot of reading. I have interacted with a few folks on their blogs over the past few months and some of those exchanges have got me thinking about a number of things. I have taken to reading a few books to gain more insight into some of my questions.

With the start of the legislative session next week, I will likely have very little time to write for several months. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Quote of the Week

Election season is upon us (if you couldn't tell by watching the news for 2 minutes). Candidates and the political parties would be wise to take the following admonition to heart -

"Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Tough Questions

A pastor from the Mars Hill Church in Seattle recently asked his congregants to ask him any question they wanted. The questions, in turn, would be addressed in various sermons over the course of 2008. 893 questions were asked on the church's website and over 343,000 votes were cast to narrow the list down to the top nine questions, listed below. I was surprised about some of the questions, as well as what didn't make the top of the list. All in all, it seems to be a pretty interesting idea.

1. Do you believe that the Scripture not only regulates our theology but also our methodology? In other words, do you believe in the regulative principle? If so, to what degree? If not, why not? (i.e. the regulative principle)
2. What can traditional/established churches learn from 'emerging' churches?
3. How does a Christian date righteously; and what are the physical, emotional, and mentally connecting boundaries a Christian must set while developing an intimate relationship prior to marriage?
4. If salvation is by faith alone (Romans 3:28), then why are there so many verses that say or imply the opposite, namely that salvation is by works (James 2:24, Matthew 6:15 & 7:21, Galatians 5:19-21)
5. How should Christian men and women go about breaking free from the bondage of sexual sin?
6. Of all the things you teach, what parts of Christianity do you still wrestle with? What's hardest for you to believe?
7. Why does an all loving, all knowing, and all sovereign God will into creation people He foreknows will suffer eternal condemnation? Why does Romans 9:20 feel like a cop-out answer?
8. Why do you make jokes about Mormon missionaries, homosexuals, trenchcoats wearers, single men, vegans, emo kids and then expect these groups to come to know God in the same sermon?
9. There's no doubt the Bible says children are a blessing, but the Bible doesn't seem to address the specific topic of birth control. Is this a black and white topic, or does it fall under liberties?

Offended

Borders book stores is giving away a controversial Christmas card reading “O come all ye faithless” with every copy of Richard Dawkins’ book, The God Delusion. Apparently, folks have become quite offended over the whole thing. Call me thick skinned, but I don't see this as an attack on Christianity, nor do I feel we need to boycott the store. It is an ATHEIST card given out when one purchases an ATHEIST book. It is not like the card is being given out with every purchase of a C.S. Lewis novel. I have to admit, however, that the card is rather witty on a certain level.

To call for a boycott is this circumstance undermines the integrity of this type of protest (which was used by Dr. Martin Luther King to protest racism). Some have also called for the boycott of the recently released movie, the Golden Compass. To an extent, I understand a boycott in this circumstance if folks feel movie producers are misleading movie-goers. Given the extreme comments by the author of the book that the movie was made from, it is hard to say that the whole purpose of the film or the book was anything other than to undermine belief in God. With that said, I will likely watch it on DVD to see what it being said about my faith.

Sometimes I feel that we as Christians are so quick to be offended...if not looking for ways to be offended. If we are so quick to fight, what does that say about our character or our God? It shows that He needs His creation to stand up for Him because obviously, He cannot do it on His own. We are called to give a defense for the hope that is within us...we are not called to be offended.

Maybe I am cranky this evening, but this is just my opinion and it is worth what it cost me to give it to you.

Quote of the Week

"What would have to occur or to have occurred to constitute for you a disproof of the love of, or of the existence of, God?"

- Rhetorical question posed to theists in general and Christians in particular by Antony Flew after discussing horrors such as childhood cancer.