Tag: government

Requiring ANY Religious Instruction in Public Schools is Wrong

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

Recently, Louisiana passed legislation requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in public schools. Shortly after, Oklahoma decided to require the Bible and the Ten Commandments be taught in public schools. And Christians across the country celebrated. I have no doubt that the governors of Louisiana and Oklahoma mean well. However, I must strongly disagree, even as a Christian.

Let me be clear, this nation WAS founded as a Christian nation. Even a casual reading of US history supports this conclusion. However, neither the state nor the federal government has the right nor the duty to favor one religion over another.

As Christians, we can not complain when any other religion is forced to be taught in public schools, then turn around and demand that Christianity or the Bible be taught in public schools. That’s hypocrisy.  We are the first to be outraged if any other religion is even offered as an elective in public schools. What are we going to say if a state with a large Muslim population forces the Koran to be taught in public schools?

I’m all for everyone having access to the Bible. I will even advocate it being freely available in the school library. But I have some questions: Who will be teaching the Bible curriculum? What qualifications will they have? What denominational or religious affiliation will these teachers have? Will they be teaching the Bible as literature? If so, will they also be teaching the Koran or the Torah as literature? Will the teachers be pushing one religious view over the other? These are just a few of my questions, and the answers may lead to even more questions.

One problem I see with forcing the Bible to be taught in public schools is, in my opinion, it shows how lazy we as Christians have become. We have become comfortable with leaving it to others to share God’s Word, even to our own children and grandchildren. Too many of us don’t even actually read and study the Bible ourselves. We’re content to go to church, send our children to Sunday school and children’s church, while we sit and listen to a sermon, allowing ourselves to be spoon-fed, without even reading what the Bible says for ourselves.

I am all for introducing children, and everyone else, to the Bible. But the more I have studied, and the more I have observed, even many pastors struggle to really understand the Bible in context. Again, this is partly because we have become complacent and are content to just read words on a page. We don’t have to learn Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. But we do need to learn to use the available language tools. In addition, we need to learn to dig in and research the culture and people of the day when each book was written, as well as who each book was written to.

The Bible has too often been twisted to justify, and excuse, some of the worst offenses in society by too many so-called Christians, and pastors. Based on that reason alone, I simply cannot believe that we have the right to force the Bible, or our faith on anyone. And the government definitely does not have that right. All these actions will do its lead to a waste of resources by the government attempting to defend what I believe to be a losing position.

It’s not up to any government to force the Bible on anyone or any group. We don’t have to hide our faith. It’s up to each of us who professes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ to be a witness to the power and love of God. We start by living a life that is consistent with a loving God who has made a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him, through Jesus. Then, when the opportunity arises, we might need to use words to help.

Stop the Memes, Shut Up, and Actually DO SOMETHING

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

It’s nothing new or unusual to be scrolling through Facebook, or any other social media platform, and come across a meme. Most of these are funny, and harmless. Some may be sarcastic. And still others are just plain ridiculous. But it’s mostly in good fun. Until we see the political ones. Even worse are the political ones which someone has been kind enough to manipulate scripture in an attempt to back up their position.

Here are some examples:

“God is in favor of walls.” “God welcomes immigrants.” “There are walls in Heaven.” “You can’t be a Christian and be against immigrants.” or something similar to “Heaven has an immigration policy too.” “God says your suppose to be kind to immigrants.”Of course these are just a few examples, and they almost always have a Bible verse listed somewhere.

Please, do us all a favor and just stop. First, most people refuse to acknowledge any legitimacy to the arguments on the other side. And there truly is a middle ground. But also, you all are just showing ignorance. And yes, I believe it is ignorant, as well as disingenuous, to simply pick a position then try to use Scripture to justify it. Especially when you’re twisting it, and completely ignoring the rest of it. Finally, posting memes does absolutely nothing to provide possible solutions.

Are you still with me? Good. But I must warn you, I’m not letting you off the hook. Because now I want to know if you are actually even trying to do something. Well, are you?

Have you done anything besides post a meme, or tell others that their position is wrong? First, have you at least taken the time to try to understand the other sides position? Any of it? Have you tried to understand the issue or the people? Or do you just post your memes, and your thoughts and prayers, and think that’s enough?

When was the last time you wrote to your United States senator, representative, or president? Heck, if it’s an issue at the state level when was the last time you contacted your state senator, representative, or governor?

But don’t simply contact them and tell them how you feel. Think through the issue, as many sides as you can, and present a possible solution. No, you’re not going come up with the whole solution to every possible scenario, but stop just posting memes, shut up about your feelings, and actually try to present a possible solution to the issue.

Finally, to our senators, representatives, and our President: with all due respect; Stop with all the political posturing. Stop pointing fingers at each other. Shut up, sit down, and actually work toward solutions. Heck, turn to us, your constituents and actually encourage us to get involved. Oh, and stop being so concerned with the media. Do your job right and your constituents will respect you. We are more important than the media.

The Christian’s Relationship to Government

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

A society without government is anarchy. There is no law, everyone is free to do as he or she sees fit. In such a society no one is safe. The stronger are free to take what they want from the weaker. If you have something that I want, I am free to take it from you. Of course you are free to try to prevent me from taking it, but, the golden rule in such a society is do unto others before they do unto you. So, God, in His wisdom, set up a system of authority. The family unit is the most basic system of authority. Of course societies are made up of many family units. And whether by geography, ethnicity, or beliefs, these family units have become grouped into clans, people groups, and eventually nations. And every step of the way a system of authority and rule has been set up.
We frequently hear people demanding their rights. And, especially here in the United States, we are a nation that has prided itself on individual rights. To be sure, our nation has committed it’s share of sins throughout our history, and those should be acknowledged, repented of, and lessons learned. And then we look to the future.
In his address to congress on January 8, 1790, President George Washington said “Knowledge is in every Country the surest basis of public happiness. In one, in which the measures of Government recieve (sic) their impression so immediately from the sense of the Community as in our’s, it is proportionably essential. To the security of a free Constitution it contributes in various ways: By convincing those, who are entrusted with the public administration, that every valuable end of Government is best answered by the enlightened confidence of the people: And by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights; to discern and provide against invasions of them; to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority; between burthens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of Society; to discriminate the spirit of liberty from that of licentiousness, cherishing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting a speedy, but temperate vigilence against encroachments, with an inviolable respect to the laws.” -George Washington, to the United States Senate and House of Representative, 8 January 1790 (https://founders.archives.gov/docu…/Washington/05-04-02-0361)
I want to focus on our relationship to government. I think that this can be applied no matter where you live, but of course, my only real experience is living here, in the United States. I keep seeing, and hearing people demand their rights. We have people who take a camera, or their phone, and they literally go looking for a fight with government officials. They may call themselves First Amendment, or Second Amendment, Auditors. They go out with the intent to draw attention to themselves, and demand their right to do say what they want, or to carry any firearm how they want and where they want. And then they cry “That’s not fair” when they are targeted as being suspicious. But then they will also probably be the first ones who will wonder how something bad happened, why someone didn’t say anything when someone else actually commits a heinous crime. Of course this happens with many political and social issues. People are so focused on their rights, that they have forgotten about their own duty to be responsible. We are witnessing in our society an attitude of I want my rights, but I don’t care about my responsibilities.
The Bottom Line: Demanding the free exercise of our rights also demands that we exercise our responsibilities.
Romans 13:1-7 (NLT)
Respect for Authority
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
We have a duty to submit to government authority
It seems that it has become common today to disrespect authority. We see it far too often: people who refuse to obey anyone in authority. Children who disrespect teachers, adults who refuse to respect government, government officials who refuse to respect the law. If you want examples, just watch the evening news. Or check out some of the videos you find on facebook, and youtube. But this is certainly not how we, who proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, are to behave. Indeed, Paul admonishes us, in no uncertain terms to submit to government authority. In fact, by refusing to be obedient to authority, we are in fact refusing to obey God. Paul makes this quite clear in verse 2. Rebelling against authority is rebelling against God.
Now please, do not misunderstand me. There certainly is nothing wrong with the people holding their government officials accountable. But we are responsible to do so in a way that honors God.
Government officials are to be God’s servants for the good of those governed
This point is directed at government officials, as well as to “we the people.” We have a system of government in order to avoid the lawlessness of anarchy. Every nation has a government that is in place to protect their citizens, and all who reside within their borders, from lawlessness. If I am doing what is right, and behaving in a manner that does not harm others, or my country, then I can reasonably expect that, for the most part, the government will not bother me.
But, if I choose to behave in a manner that may be harmful to others, if I decide to ignore the law, then I can reasonably expect to be punished. It is the government’s job to punish those who do evil. So we are commanded to be obedient, not simply to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clean conscience.
Government officials deserve their pay
We hate to pay taxes, don’t we. In fact some people hate paying taxes so much that they make it their mission to find ways to cheat the government. We get our first job, and we’re excited for that first check, and when we get it, right away we realize that something isn’t right. Some of our money is missing. And as we examine or check stub closely, we see that some of our money has gone to the state, and the federal government got its cut too. In some places, the city gets a share directly out of your paycheck. Well, don’t government officials deserve to be paid for their work, too. Now look, this isn’t about debating how much we should be paying in taxes; I am simply pointing out, as Paul does, in verses 6 and 7, that government workers deserve to be compensated for their work.
However, Paul isn’t referring only to paying our taxes and fees. He goes a step further, and also tells us that we are responsible to pay honor and respect to those who are in authority. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Quick, someone needs to point this verse out to many of our government leaders.” And, I agree with you. So many of them seem to be more focused on tearing down each other, and anyone who doesn’t agree with them, that they are not getting anything accomplished. But, before I go there, I need to ask you, what is YOUR attitude toward those in government positions? Wait; I need to ask myself that same question: “What is MY attitude toward our government leaders, and workers?” Do I show respect to those in authority. Do I behave in a way that, if they are not already a Christ follower, would make them want to be one, or at least gives them reason to respect me? Or am I a Christian in name only?
Maybe, just maybe, there is a reason that our government, and our society, seems to be so out of control. When was the last time that you complained about government workers, and government leaders. Now, when was the last time that you prayed for them? Just maybe, we bear some of the responsibility for some of the problems. Lets look at 1 Timothy for just a minute.
N1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NLT)
Instructions about Worship
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.
We are to pray for our government officials
I like how the NLT titles this section: Instructions about worship. Too often, we think of worship as what we are doing right now. It’s just for Sunday morning. We come to church, sing a few songs, say a prayer or two, and listen to a preacher say something that is hopefully inspirational. And if we are really lucky, the message lets us feel good about ourselves. But that is not worship.
Worship is not just about going to church, and playing a part. Worship is a lifestyle. And a part of that lifestyle is praying for others. Interceding, speaking with God, on their behalf, including government workers, and officials; maybe ESPECIALLY, them. Why? So that we can live peaceful lives, that display godliness, and dignity. I love the way the NIV says it best. Instead of dignity it uses the word holiness. We pray for others, and especially our government so that we can live lives that are marked by godliness, and HOLINESS.
Bottom Line: We do have rights, however, being free to exercise those rights demands that we recognize, and honor, our responsibilities.