Are religious freedoms slowly being stripped away?
Galatians 5:1 – For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore.
There is an old adage that if you toss a frog into a pot of boiling water, he will react and jump out. But if you put him in lukewarm water, set the pot over the fire and slowly bring it to a boil, he will not react and will suffer the ill fate of being boiled to death.
When the early European settlers first came to America, much of what they were leaving was a state-run religion. “You will be thus-and-so, or you will have no standing.” They came on small ships like the Mayflower and others, establishing villages and, ultimately, colonies where they could practice their faith the way they chose. When it came to writing the American Constitution, the First Amendment was carefully crafted to provide for religious freedom to continue…the government could not establish a state-run religion without which your citizenship would be jeopardized.
You enjoy that freedom today. But do you value it? If you didn’t have it, would it matter to you? Unfortunately, today in America this right and privilege is slowly being diminished. In June 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that schools could not sponsor prayer; today, prayer is not allowed in schools at all, nor between coaches and football players, nor at graduations. That same 1962 case, also declared Bible readings unconstitutional—and today, students cannot even carry a Bible to school, or wear a religious symbol around their neck. Fifty years ago, some probably dared to ask, “I wonder what will happen without prayer and Bible reading.” Now you know.
Pray With Us
Heavenly Father, Your Word tells me that in the days before the return of Your Son, Jesus, those who trust You will be singled out and persecuted. Sometimes it seems to me that the time of His return must be imminent because so much evil is going on. Help me to be strong. Protect me and my family as we pray and read Your Word. Do not ever let us be ashamed to proclaim our faith, no matter what. My confidence is in You, Lord. You are my Strong Tower; I run to You and am safe. Through Jesus Christ who saved me,
Amen.
