Sunday, February 26, 2012 "Religion and education" Christian Nation - Part XVI

Sunday, February 26, 2012

"Religion and education" Christian Nation - Part XVI

First From Julie's Keyboard:

This week while studying in the book of Daniel, I was reminded of the importance of the tools of prayer and fasting which are in the hands of the believer.  These were not uncommon practices for the prophet Daniel.  As a matter of fact, even when he was given such great revelations through visions and dreams with the interpretations, he wasn't so "self-assured" that he didn't see the need to petition the Most High.  He even fasted in one instance for a stretch of 21 days, until the answer came.

Daniel was an individual in which the Bible records no ill word.  The Lord referred to him as "the Beloved."  It seems he was intrusted with the special messages of the day, and much of the prophetic events that will transpire in the days to come.  What an awesome thought to be dubbed by the Father as "Beloved."  Yet, Daniel, knowing his place in God's plan and kingdom, was humbled by the coming events and the fact that many, many would not be prepared.  This gives us a definite picture of the heart in this man, a heart for others.

My thoughts today are regarding how often as New Covenant believers, we seem to take for granted the need to utilize these weapons for warfare that God has given us.  In all that has been provided for us through Christ, it's often easy to neglect our work as soldiers in the army of the Lord.  There's still a world of people that haven't come to this truth.  Without a consecrated prayer life and time of dedication through fasting, how can we hope to truly be effective in building the kingdom of God?

It's such a blessing to know that indeed, He has given us uniqueness and purpose as individuals.  He has made us endeared unto Himself through His great love for us.  How much more should we be willing to offer the sacrifice of set apart times of prayer and fasting for the purpose of His kingdom, and personal growth in our lives as believers?

His gift was too great to be accepted and taken for granted.  My prayer is for believers everywhere to once again return to a place of prayer and fasting for a world full of souls in the valley of decision.  According to Scripture, this will get the attention of the Most High.

II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Will we set aside weight and sin and in humility receive this word?

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"Religion and Education"

I keep hearing this question being posed to Christian political candidates, "If you are elected to office, are you going to impose your faith upon us?  Then, depending on who is asked, you have a stumbling effort to assure us they will not let their religion interfere with their political office. 

But I just want to know what kind of a question that is in the first place?  As a Christian myself, what do they think I would do?  Is there some way if elected to a political office I could make them a Christian?  Christianity is not something you make anyone, it is something that you become because of a conviction in your own heart.  A Christian can help lead you to that place by explaining the Gospel, but can in no way make you become one.

Maybe it's the Christian's beliefs that they don't want to be imposed upon them.  You know, something like President Obama has done by trying to impose (force) religious institutions to pay for something that is against their conscience. 

Let's see, what is so strange about the Christian belief that is so dangerous that one should be afraid of it being imposed upon them?

Maybe it is the basic concept that one should love their enemies?  Maybe it's the one that says do good to all men, especially the brethren?  Maybe it's the one about finding a stranger on the road and helping him?  We surely wouldn't want a Christian to impose that upon any of us!

I know which one it is, its the one that says a man should not have sex with another man, and that sexual intercourse between a man and woman should be reserved until marriage.  Of course, along with that goes the fact an adult shouldn't have sex with children, or with animals, but instead it should be viewed as a wonderful gift to be shared between you and your spouse for life. 

I'm not trying to be insensitive to our nature here, but I am having trouble just understanding what sex is between same-sex individuals.  There are certainly no physical provisions made for it in the body, and any attempt seems to promote awkward physical acts all of which would be unnatural.  Surely we wouldn't want to protect our society and our children from that?

Now I've done it, by those statements I can be accused of being a mean Christian, imposing my religious views upon others.  I am mean, insensitive, and uncaring about the feeling of others.  Nothing is said about the fact that all those attributes mentioned in the above paragraphs about loving our enemies, doing good to all men, and helping the stranger in trouble, all apply to the same sex individuals with the same passion to help and love. 

It has nothing to do with liking or disliking any individual, it's simply about right and wrong and what is good for our society.  All these problems have arisen in our society of late because we as a people have become confused and divided in our understanding of moral issues, about the basic tenets of right and wrong.

We are confused even about the moral decision to kill our children before they are born, surely we wouldn't want such Christian influence that would restrict us from killing them while they are in the womb.  It's OK to legislate laws to not kill an endangered species, but since children are plenty there is no need to legislate laws to protect them while they are being formed in the womb of their mother! (pardon my sarcasm)

I wonder if this confusion could be a result of removing such moral teachings from our schools and universities of higher learning?

"Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God." ~ Gouverneur Morris, Penman and Signer of the Constitution of the United States.

"The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.  Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.  Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind." ~ Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration.

"In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed. . . . No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people." ~ Noah Webster.

I could go on and on with our Founders and education, none were asking if anyone was going to impose their religious beliefs upon them,  those beliefs were already laid at the foundation of this nation, and they looked to the system of education to keep the people apprised of that fact.  But we removed those tenets and it seems we have now evolved to the point we think we know a better way and can build a better America by doing the very opposite of those before us, driving headlong in the very direction they warned us about.

May God bless each of you,

David