Religious Freedom
What do we mean when we speak about religious freedom? Do nationalistic ideals line up squarely with Christian ones? The First Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... " Easy enough. It is our right to establish and practice our faith. But the real world complicates things. Prayer in school, evolution in classrooms, "In God We Trust" on the dollar bill, the Ten Commandments outside city hall, and recently a cross in a public park in San Diego - how do these events test and define our faith?
To begin to understand we must understand freedom itself. The Christian point-of-view differs from the constitutional one. God given freedom exists as a state of mind and spirit rather than a state of country or politics. Christ liberates us from the stronger-than-iron chains that reside within us and even those that we place upon others. We can see our true selves. We are even free to choose whether or not we accept Christ. Even though nothing is out of the influence and control of the Lord we still choose. This is a reality never fully comprehended but a reality nonetheless.
God makes us free not churches, not wars, not laws, not even the lives sacrificed that give us the liberty to practice our faith. This does not diminish the sacrifices made by brave men and women but rather justifies them. We fight for our freedom as the Lord gave us the will and right to do so. During Christianity's infancy believers worshipped despite the threat of persecution, imprisonment or death. Despite being completely against the law of the land they chose freedom. They chose Christ.
Some Christians though, with a great commitment to the Lord, fight tooth-and-nail to keep a few words or a piece of granite in a public place. If we strive to impose any faith based restriction into law, indeed by force, could this somehow undermine Christ's message? Jesus educated, exhorted, He may have even shouted, but He never forced anyone to accept. Neither did His Apostles. God could easily force belief, but again, in His love for us He gave us freedom of choice. Indeed Christ's message was surrender in love despite being supremely right, despite being supremely powerful, thus showing a power beyond comprehension.
If we insist on "under God" are we truly spreading the gospel or merely undertaking a political crusade that only emboldens those against Christ? Jesus wins us over by saying, "I surrender, I accept, I forgive." This perfect example can thus be followed by us in our acceptance of Him. Some may say we need surrender to Christ only, and in essence they are right. Yet Jesus surrendered to those that persecuted Him. So how do we, with our actions, become more Christ-like? Do we win more to the cause of Christ by forcing views upon others or by giving examples of compassion, giving, healing, and love?
Christ condemned the lawmakers and came to save the lawbreakers. "In God we trust." Yet whose image is upon the dollar bill? "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God." (Matthew 22:21)
The Book of Romans goes into great detail regarding law and man. "[A] man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."(Romans 3:28). What held true then certainly holds true now. Living by the law alone can not justify us in the eyes of God. Enforcing, creating, lobbying, or defending any law today can not justify anyone of us either. We do not establish or preserve religious freedom through any law as true freedom is given only by God and paid for with Christ's blood.
Should we therefore stand idly by while they tear down and blot out objects that are testimony to our faith? What did Christ do? "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth;" (Isaiah 53:7).
The issues are complex, but we must never forget that our freedom comes from above and from within. If some power ever overtook the earth and attempted to abolish every form of Christian activity we would still be free to worship and praise our Lord Jesus Christ. Only death could stop this yet in death we would be freer still.
The quest for freedom inevitably leads to God. We seek and find the true source of liberty in Christ. We obtain true freedom when we answer the inner call established by the Lord. This is our election. We seek to return to our source. Christian freedom differs dramatically from politically based liberty. If any man ever died for our religious freedom it was Jesus Christ.
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Author: clayonmyeyes
Location: Buenos Aires Argentina
Gender: Male
Age: 42
Blog Entries: 92 (archive)
Blog Comments: 460
i am 40 y.o. with a great wife and 5 sons. i fully accepted christ into my life in early '04. one month later my wife bore our 4th child. i retired from practicing medicine in june'04. we relocated to argentina from pittsburgh (my wife is argentine) that same year....
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i grew up and remain catholic. believed firmly as a youth then slipped away. later i raged against god and tried my best to push him out of my life. but through my loving wife and kids he gently brought me back under his care. a story familiar to many......
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