OPINION:
Our Founding Fathers realized that when an out-of-control monarch had reached the point of unrealistic dealings with his people, it was time for the good of all to separate from him. For many Christians in America, that day may well be approaching again.
With total disregard for the First Amendment, the political climate created by the Obama administration has opened the door for unfair and radical attacks on the Christian faith. Whether it has been the government’s attempt to force military chaplains to perform same-sex unions or the unlawful fines that have driven Christian business owners out of business, the attacks on people of faith have been relentless.
Another recent story, “Idaho city’s ordinance tells pastors to marry gays or go to jail” (Web, Oct. 20), illustrates the absurdity of just how far this has gone. The issue is one of religious conviction, not discrimination. To force Christians to forgo their religious conviction is wrong. Christian theology is not subject to the whims of our radically changing secular culture.
In the 1930s, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw through Adolf Hitler’s ruse to manipulate the Christian church in Germany. Hitler was fine with the existence of the church — as long as it excluded Jews and swore allegiance to him. Bonhoeffer’s conviction led him to become part of the German resistance in opposition to Hitler and the Nazis.
President Reagan said in a 1984 speech: “All are free to believe or not believe. But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief, to apply moral teaching to public questions.” We are surrounded by many threats today, from Islamic fundamentalism and Ebola to the ever-increasing aggression by Russia and the racial unrest in our cities. The Obama administration would do well to remember that the Christian church is not one of these adversaries. In fact, the prayers offered by people of faith may be the only thing keeping us from sinking totally into the abyss.
ED MULVANEY JR.
Anniston, Ala.
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