On September 7th, concerned person posted the Forum Topic: "WHAT DO YOU THINK?" I have thoughtfully read concerned person's subject matter and all of the back and forths related to it and began to add my two cents, when I realized my answer was a tad long. So, I've decided to add two-bits instead of a couple of cents, it by plunking it down upon another Forum. What do I think? Here goes:
The first white devils to touch North American soils were the Norsemen (Vikings). Thor was their god, carried a hammer and enjoyed using it. His adherents, apparently, liked to copy ‘big papa” Thor’s example as they hammered, ravaged, raped, pillaged and killed anything that was “not of Thor.”
The next set of white devils that came to America, was during The Catholic “Inquisition” period. The adherents of this flavor of Christianity, crucified, drew & quartered, burned at the stake, beheaded, ripped out entrails, ravaged, raped, pillaged, tortured and killed anyone that was not of “the One True Faith.” (Their faith.)
The Red man watched white devils deposit viruses at Plymouth Rock for which their immune systems had no defense. The Rhino virus (common cold), influenza, TB, measles, mumps, whopping cough, typhoid & scarlett fevers, Small Pox and “Protestantism” infected and ravaged the land far and wide. Millions died. Whole races along with their language and culture disappeared in sort of an “ethnic cleansing.” Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, and Shakers thought this to be God’s Will.
Now, by the time July 4th, 1776 rolled around it had become fairly evident that religion and government were poor bedfellows. More than one bedmate bed could only live in peace in separate bedrooms.
For most of America’s history, “seperate beds and separate bedrooms did not mean “A divided house, shall not stand.” No, separate sleeping arraingments meant and met the difinition: “Seperation of church and State.” It also meant that Christians of different denominations, (‘though in the same bedroom) slept in separate beds. Everything went along swimmingly with this setup until . . . Monday, June 17th, 1963 . . . when the Idea, The Great Experiment, called “America” died. What happened? Well, on that fateful day, The Supreme Court overturned Baltimore Superior Court Judge J. Gilbert Pendergast’s 04/27/61 decision against Madalyn Murray’s lawsuit (Murray versus The Baltimore Board of Education). You see, Ms. Murray wanted to take “God” and “prayer” out of public school. Out of anything that had a single government dollar contributed to it. She hated God, (especially the Judeo-Christian God) and (by god) she wanted to spit in God’s eye. Well, at first, it looked like she had lost, and (as they say) “That was that.” WRONG! New York Times headline, 06/18/1961:“2 CASES DECIDED; Government Must Be Neutral in Religion, Majority Asserts Insists on Neutral Stand Seek to Soften Criticism Varied Voices Speak 2 STATES INVOLVED IN MAJOR DECISION Government Must Always Be NEUTRAL ON RELIGION, MAJORITY ASSERTS Find Conflict With Beliefs 'Decisively Settled' Argument Dismissed Says Proof Is Required Some Activities Exempted”
If you please, I direct your attention now, to this portion of the headline: “Government Must Always Be NEUTRAL ON RELIGION, MAJORITY ASSERTS.”
Here’s the issue: Today, is the Federal Government really neutral when it comes to religeon?
The answer? NO! Capital “N”, capital “O.” Today you see, the Christian religion is a safe, soft, target open to attack. To underscore my answer, just listen to comedians as they (safely) say anything they please about Christians to generate a laughs. The ancient Romans did this, and not since those times, has the persecution of Christians risen to such current heights. Not so, however, with other faiths. Comedians dare not make fun of the Satanists or the Moslems because they will kill you. They will bomb your whole family. Okay, (this may sound like a joke) comedy is not government, but comedians take their cue from government as to what is fair game and what is a “sacret cow” and should be left (to ensure further good health . . .) alone. Our government, which, although at war with terrorists belonging to ‘The Nation of Islam” are protected in situations (identical situation), where Christians are not protected. Why? Because unlike their wild mustang early years of genocide and ethnic cleansing, Christians have become tame ponies today. Today, they are closer adherents to what Jesus actually taught. More so today than at anyother time. Today, a true Christian will not slit Conan O’Brian’s throat if he makes fun of Christ. He and all the other jokers are safe because today’s Christians (finally) have learned to turn the other cheek. Right? They forgive. They believe in mercy, and they believe that revenge is reserved only for God. He “taketh” and (there-for) only He . . . can “taketh away.” Yes Christians have become an easy target.
What’s my point? How can I tie this up in a neat little package and suggest how to put the genie (Madalyn Murray O’Hair) back into the bottle. How does one close Pandora’s box? How can Christians return to the “olden times,” the “good ‘ol years?” The short answer? We can’t. (Yeah, I’m a Christian) The long answer? We can’t, but “He,” (Christ) can put things aright. When will He do this? I’ll tell you what, not to suit my calendar. Before I followed Christ, I thought it was “all about ME” (Capital M. CapitalE) Now it’s not about me and my willfulness. It’s about my Creator’s and my personal savor Jesus’s Will. It’s about His schedule, on His Time and His Dime.
As I write this, I must tell you, I’m just a spectator with an aisle seat. Best movie in town this here earth. But that’s all earth is. When things seem confusing and frustrating. When things anger me . . . I just say to myself, “It’s only a movie, it’s only a movie.” Earth feels like reality, tastes, smells, looks and sounds like reality, but it’s not reality. It’s “only a movie” and when I go out for popcorn (the hospital?) I may come back or I may go home to real Reality. When I leave the theater I’m going to enjoy not arguing with six billion fellow actors all of whom believe that they are the star of the movie and that all the others are but bit players. I won’t miss that kind of chaos at all. Backstage is far more interesting. I leave it with you there. No worries mate, it’ll all turn out in the wash. . . I take my leave. Popcorn anyone?