Freedom for Some

There is a breakthrough in America and it goes by the name "Tolerance." Some of this is positive: Oppression of those of color has significantly decreased since the time of Martin Luther King, Jr. Schools encourage students to study other cultures.

Other forms are negative: those with homosexual tendencies are no longer feeling the pressure to hide who they "really are." In fact, they are encouraged to explore these feelings. The number of immigrants entering the country is climbing. Heck, you can legally smoke marijuana in some parts. Merchandise in stores around the country proudly displays such slogans as "Marijuana: I'm smokin' it." Then I found an article at the beginning of October that proved that tolerance isn't for everyone.

At a high school in Georgia, students have been banned from writing Bible verses on the cheerleaders' banner during football games. The majority of residents is upset over the ban and rallied to voice their opinion against it. During the next home game, students and parents alike waved signs reading "You Can't Silence Us." Young men painted Bible verses on their chests in protest.

The ban was put into effect after a parent complained. Superintendent Denia Reese called the display of scripture "illegal" because it was shown at a school-sponsored event. This is a restriction of the first amendment. And that is the real crime being committed here and in many schools across America.

At an elementary school in Vermont, two kindergarteners were rebuked by their teacher for discussing Jesus and their faith in class.

A substitute teacher at a school in New Jersey was told not to leave reading material promoting the Christian faith around the school, while material trashing conservatives and the "religious right" was permitted.

A teacher in Los Angeles posted a comment opposing the school's celebration of the Gay and Lesbian pride month on the school's website; his post was promptly deleted.

A teacher at a Denver elementary school had his donated Bible removed from the library along with his own Bible. School officials did not want the book in the presence of the students.

In McArthur, Ohio, high school students were banned from sporting WWJD bracelets for fear of possibly offending other students.

None of these incidents is isolated. Such acts of intolerance have been occurring more frequently across the nation and little is being done to aid those who are being silenced.

Those who would try to prevent the mere mention of Christianity do so on the basis that Jesus and all concerning Him is offensive and therefore cannot be tolerated. But is Christianity really that intolerably offensive to everyone but Christians? Note that Christians are usually silenced by only a handful of people. In the case of the high school in Georgia, just one parent's complaining led to the controversy.

I do not believe it is fair that the majority must be oppressed because of a vocal minority, especially when the majority promotes the morals on which the values of this nation stand. Those who oppose Christianity should consider that just as we as Christians must put up with their doctrine--or lack of--so should they do the same for us. I have nothing bad to say about Hindus, but I wish they would accept the truth. But Hindus should feel free to be Hindus, regardless of whether I agree with them.

Here are a few facts that may enlighten or surprise:

--Congress proclaimed a national day of prayer just one day after the First Amendment was passed.

--In Engel v. Vitale (1962), many mistook those involved in the case to mean that they were against God in schools entirely. Actually, Engel was against state-sponsored prayer. Somehow, this case marked a turning point for our national church and state debate.

Rutherford president John W. Whitehead states, "Saratoga Springs school officials claim the Constitution requires them to be alert to personal student discussions and immediately censor any student expression that appears religious. In fact, the Constitution requires the opposite." Whitehead also says, "Any censorship of personal religious speech in a public school--even though it is couched in terms of separation of church and state--teaches children that religious persons are second-class citizens and this is fundamentally wrong."

--During the holiday season, "Christmas" is suddenly controversial. Nativity scenes are prohibited, but Jewish menorah, Islamic stars and crescents and Kwanzaa symbols are allowed in the name of "diversity." The word "Christmas" has been replaced with such terms as "holiday season" and "winter break." A school in New England has banned the colors red and green because of their association to the Christian celebration. Even Santa Claus is getting the cold shoulder nowadays due to his alias "Saint Nick."

--This has become a battle of freedom FROM religion rather than OF religion.

However, we should not be surprised that Christianity is under attack. Authors of the New Testament predicted and encourage us during such times:

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." (1 Peter 4:12-14)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-3).

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Tim. 4:3).