Vice President Mike Pence stirred up quite an uproar over his remarks claiming prejudice against people of faith is on the rise. But, as Professor James Finck of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, noted in a recent Opinion Article: “What is most interesting about religious intolerance today is that it is the last socially acceptable form of intolerance.”
Remarks by progressives in Congress certainly appear to underscore the validity of Mr. Pence’s warning that “it’s become acceptable, and even fashionable to ridicule and discriminate” based on an individual’s belief in God.
Remember when Senator Dianne Feinstein D-CA told Amy Coney Barrett during her circuit court hearings that “The dogma lives loudly within you, and that’s of concern,” implying that her religious beliefs might make her unsuitable to serve.
And then there was the incident last December when progressive Democrats, Sens. Kamala D. Harris and Mazie Hirono, targeted judicial nominee Brian Buescher for his faith based convictions.
The growing acceptance of religious bigotry is a global issue of concern. But, it has a particularly disquieting impact in the U.S. at a time when it is becoming trendy to promote ideologies such as socialism as a viable alternative to our constitutional federal republic.
Some conspiracy theorists might perceive the newfound love of a godless socialist system of government as designed ultimately to put the progressive left in charge of America’s future. But, the fact is that the anti-religion movement got started when Americans began losing faith, something that has been happening for some time, according to Pew Research. In a report released a year ago Pew noted that the number of Americans who “have doubts about God’s existence – or that they do not believe in God at all” continues to grow.
A number of other recent surveys seem to confirm that more than half of Americans don’t consider religion important to them anymore. Just 43% of Americans viewed religion as a core component of their identity in 2018.
Meanwhile, anti-Semitism is on the rise in America. The Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism released new data recently, noting that 2018 was the third-highest year on record for attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions. There were 1,879 such incidents representing a dangerously dramatic increase in such hate crimes.
Finally, in what is perhaps one of the most blatant assaults on Freedom of Religion, a bill has been introduced in the California Senate, SB 360, that seeks to directly interfere with an historic religious tenet. It would require a Catholic priest to report what a penitent reveals to him during confession. Confession is one of the most important sacraments in the Catholic faith. And, its confidential nature has been well recognized throughout history.
It might appear to be a one-off piece of legislation that would not impact the general right of Americans to practice their religions, whatever their beliefs. But the proposed law has insidious, more profound implications for all religions, according to Father Pius Pietrzyk, a professor of canon law. As he put it an Opinion Article published in USA Today: “If this bill passes, no religion is safe. If a core principle as deeply ingrained in Catholic tradition and doctrine can be wiped away this easily by the state, no fundamental rights of religion or conscience are safe.”
The Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] is the nation’s largest
Conservative senior advocacy organization with some two million members.
It’s sad that the very people who are claiming the Christian faith as the last bastion of prejudice are themselves the culmination or result of unbalanced prejudice based on the very principles of an idea and why America began with a revolution and less than a hundred years later had to purge herself of ignorance to the inhumanity of slavery in a civil war. What was once a struggling nation of peoples comprised from all faiths, creeds and walks of human life had become united as one nation under God. So devoted was this acknowledgement, our nation adopted a pledge we all spoke in school, civil meetings and sports events with pride. Today this fact is intentionally pushed aside in our institutions of learning by socialist and left leaning progressives who’s failed anarchist ideas are become themselves the very thing we as Christians and consconstitutionaly minded Americans fight to prevent from occurring in our culture. Those who are claiming the Christian faith as the last bastion of prejudice see immoral behavior as is described in the bible as an afront to their their unbelief.Therefore comes their persecution, prejudice and indifference towards Christians and a personal desire to eliminate an accountability towards something greater than themselves.
“One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” The idea embodies an accountability towards a standard which is greater than ourselves and foundational towards a civil union. Slavery is a death to independence and personal God given rights and freedoms. Abortion is an afront to acknowledging life bestowed to mankind by God and is an offence to accountability of personal behavior. To exchange what is a natural God made union between a man and a woman for a union between same sex couples is described in the bible as ungodly and sinful behavior. Those opposed towards this described accountability portray Christians and those opposed as biased, prejudiced and filled with bigoted behavior. To have order and cultural civility there must be accountability to an idea or principle of law. Those ideas govern the direction in which a people country or Nation live or die by. Patriotism goes only so far and moral accountability is corruptible. America has set her standard by the foundation based and paralleled to the Bible yet her voice and actions have echoed the principles of forgiveness, mercy and a forbearing love toward one another. We are under an attack that is palpable yet unseen. The contribution of Christianity to America has been God’s gift to her greatness. The future of America lye in the hand of God yet her future is predicated in the will of her people to submit under His sovereign authority. To remove Christianity and the Bible from the USA by claiming God is prejudiced will be her undoing.
The pledge of allegiance never mentioned God. ‘Under God’ was added by congress in the 1950’s due to the Communist threat at the time. The phrase doesn’t belong in the pledge. I always left it out when I was a child because it seemed disingenuous. However, regardless of my personal beliefs, this country’s laws were indeed founded on basic religious principles found in the Bible. Therefore, it is very difficult to separate them from the governance of this country. And they should never be separated. Ever.
The biggest change came after Madeline Murray O’Hare used the courts to have prayer removed from schools. From there it progressed to all so-called “public” places (not really public, but all things government). So the anti-Christian movement got stronger with reinterpreting the separation of church & state from keeping gov’t from any control over religion to keeping religion (Christianity only it seems) from anything to do with gov’t including attempts not wanting anyone in gov’t positions of influence to be Christians who live and speak out their faith.
Let’s see, right brain?, left brain?, no brain? America has been immeasurably blessed by God, whether you recognize Him or not.
America removed God from public schools 50+ years ago. Now look at what great results have followed that no-brainer.
In Romans 13, Scripture says that GOD has established government, and that citizens have a responsibility to submit to government. However, GOD has also stated through Romans 13, that the “one in authority is GOD’s servant for your good…” (Romans 13, v 4). We have laws; however, when responsibility is dropped into the laps of officials who probably do not know this admonition, obviously, I believe it may be concluded that the freedoms of our laws can be challenged, and misinterpreted. Look at other nations, as pointed out in other posts, that have no knowledge of the true GOD. Sadly, their peoples have lived in suffering, terror, threat of being executed for silly operations (e.g. North Korea response to not “persuading” the President of the US, etc.), ignoring calls for justice (e.g., the years Asia Bibi spent for a false accusation in her country [despite its laws]; ignoring questions of justice for Otto Warmbier by NoKo ‘officials’, etc.), slavery, etc. Pragmatically, I have been told not to speak about Christ in certain venues while I was in the United States Marine Corps and even been shunned by some other servicemembers when I have tried to share about Christ’s salvation. Yes, our Constitution gives us freedom of religion and freedom of speech. That does not mean I do not respect parameters, but I am also sharing what GOD has given me and others – new life in Christ (I Corinthians 5, v 18-21). In everyday life, we rarely mention the horizontal bullying, and calls to “shut up” when sharing the truth. We are starting to see it more and more (mainly on FOX and conservative venues), but only see shaming and assault from these (whom I will call) “educated idiots” who know almost nothing about the US Constitution, but go with the crowd, their feelings, their emotions, and ignore the law. Going back to the fact of GOD having established nations and laws in the first place (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Thank you for letting me share. Ephesians 2, v 8 – 9.
True religions yes, tolerance! Quasi religions like Islam (which has 3 components: religion, political, cultural) absolutely should not be tolerated in the USA. Islam is not compatible with western civilization. We had better get this right. Let’s not be conned into thinking all is good and fuzzy, It isn’t.
It is a constitutional right.
Pray America! Fast, get together with friends, and pray without ceasing! Tomorrow is a National Day of Prayer led by Franklin Graham for our President! He has over 250 leaders of faith on board and is asking churches and Christians to take time tomorrow and pray for our President! Prayer is powerful and God is still listening, don’t give up to the enemy just yet! God bless America!
Religious intolerance is indeed on the rise. As a Jewish fiscal conservative I was offended by the “Christian” stance AMAC took on certain issues and have therefore declined to renew my AMAC membership.
You can’t have it both ways.
Dear, Mr. “offended one”. Do you boycott the private organization Chick-fil-A for their “Christian” stance?
That’s unfortunate. Conservatism seems to be synonymous with “Christianity”. I have learned to accept that fact as I have some views that directly conflict with the conservative platform. But I still think it’s better than the alternative in many respects.
Opinions have been around since Adam and Eve, however, God hasn’t changed. He is the same today and will be the same for eternity.
A Amen for this truth. Praise the LORD He never changes. He can be counted on and Trusted.
Completely Un-American! Freedom of religion is guaranteed by our Constitution. The only intolerance Christians face is from the elite liberal left. No other religion faces such intolerance, coupled with volatile hatred being acted out around the world and now such hatred has come to America. Notice that when Christians are persecuted, killed around the world the elite, liberal media will not mention the fact the victims were Christians. Our brothers and sisters of the faith were hurt or killed simply because they are Christians; is this behavior to be encouraged in America?
The biggest obstacle our Country has, is the lack of knowledge about Islam and the belief that it is a Religion! Just for this one sentence, I will be labeled as an Islamaphobe. In Reality, many people in the US are either Truthophobes or think that all the quotes about kafirs, from the Islamic doctrines writings, the Koran and the Hadith are some how faked. Just like good people who become involved in other cults, a Muslims must be saved and Islam must be banned from the US. If not, the US will become just like so many other countries that have been taken over by Islam. Have you read the Hadith? Have you read the Sira? Have you read a chronologic Koran? The intent is all spelled out and we should not ignore the threat. If knowing that I might die because of Islam ( as so many others around the world have) makes me an islamaphobe, then so be it. At least I know what the threat is.
It’ really not religious bigotry, it’s Christian bigotry. Christianity is the only true belief with the true God and the Devil uses his little demons on the left to discriminate against Christians. There’s no need for the little demons on the left to attack the others, they’re not a threat to the Devil. Anyway, the leftards don’t have the courage to attack the muslims, they’re cowards as well.
America was founded on the principles of religioious freedom. It worked until God was removed from the school, the prayers before congress met every day, and prayers were removed from school. Right became wrongs. Punishment for consequences of wrong doings is never more than ignored if political wrong doing, celebrity plea bargins with slap on hand, and if informer for wrong doing no punishment. Give to all who want destruction of America, take care of our citizens. Bring the troops home, let the Muslims go fight for their own country that they left to change ours. If it was so bad there, then accept what you have come to or go back since you want the same. Religion that kills because you think that is right is not religion. Look at the real Koran, it does not promote killing.
Einstein was right, he said no enemy from without would destroy a country, but the enemy within. Meaning the government.
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Great Article. Love AMAC and appreciate its stand for God and patriotism.
Satan has shown his Hand. These apostates are mimicking his despicable reverse oratory. If you ever paid attention to People that espoused Communism, you will remember that it Always sounded the same, no matter where it came from. Russia, China, North Korea or some of the Balkan Countries. This Abhorrent Rhetoric spewing from these, Ignorant, Uneducated, self-aggrandizing, evil followers of Satan, pretty-much all sound Alike.They are not hard to Identify, Just follow the trail of Blood to the Abortion Clinics or the Prisons and Universities, and there you will find Them. The Great thing that God arranged was that CAN be easily defeated as their lack of Good sense or real knowledge makes them vulnerable. Remember, Satan can only be in One Place at any given Time. His Minions are Evil as Hell, but their own hatred comes out of the chinks in their Armor. Don’t try to Fight with Satan. That’s God’s Job. He told us so.
Amen to that
California would attack the sanctity of a religious tenet, but release known criminals under some crazy sanctuary for people who are here by illegal means? Such backwards laws their elected officials try to create remind me of insane ideals of history. I have to ask the questions that jump to my mind. Why do they hate the religious beliefs of the Christian Church, but encourage such illegal activities of foreign non citizens with protection? With all the help and support using the taxpayer money to pay for almost everything illegal aliens need to live here, and organizations like Planned Parenthood, etc. , but not take action on the drug abuse used syringes, feces, and homeless on the streets, parks and vacant spaces in the state, by not using the same Christian Church organizations to help the same people because of this hatred seems backwards?
Yes, when anyone enters into the Church, they must expect to receive the Church beliefs. To refuse to utilize the best way to help the people that need Christian Church help and its systems of support for change because of dogma, is a religion of antichrist. It’s not freedom of religion. It is freedom from religion, which is a secular religion or something else.
Hey California voters, why do you vote for people who want this insanity? Why not vote them out and get some good ones in? Also, when you move out of cali, check your crazy secularist socialist tax your entire life away for progressive jackpots idiocy AT THE BORDER. Our states don’t want it!
What happened to “separation of church and state” the supreme court proclaimed? Are laws now a one way street open only to liberal interpretations?
It seems to me ignorant people are electing ignorant leaders. i suppose this is normal because during the Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and other wars I have come to believe a cruel people need or gravitate to cruel leaders (IE Hussein, Ben Laden, etc).
Due to the lack of knowledge of God, American history and moral values present in America today I am very concerned about immoral leaders making laws I am supposed to live by. Maybe there is a reason one of the most powerful nations in the world today is not mentioned in Revelations.
We have to realize no person, corporation or nation is immune to bankruptcy and demise and America is on a fast track for this. As morals and value of God decreases then His blessings are also decreasing. God help the America’s youth for all the problems our generation after 1970 have created.
Well said truths.
I am very concerned for my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and generations to come. I pray fervently every day for them, for our president and family, and our country. We need to pray, pray, pray without ceasing!
the United states is mentioned in Chapter 13 of Revelation. It is verse eleven of that chapter. It is the Lamb like beast coming out of the earth. and has two horns. what beast has those characteristics non other than the bison. The horns represent the separation of powers government. This country rose up and was a nation by 1798 almost immediately after the dark ages when France arrest the pope and he died in jail. If you begin to read Danial It talks about the four major empires that existed and uses animals to represent those nations. Loin was Babylon, Bear was Medes and Persian. goat was Greece Ram, represented Medes the dragon represented Roman and out of Roman came the Papacy Power that ruled for 1260 years. Those were the darkest years of history. When Church and stated were joined together. On of the main reason people came to the America was to have religious freedom. Liberty of conscious to worship as one believes. With no interference from the government. Revelation and Danial explain each other. The very beginning of Danial it talks about a dream the king of Babylon had The head of gold represents Babylon,
The arms and chest represent Medes and Persian, the Brass or Bronze represent Greece, Iron legs represent Rome. The toes represent our time.
Read it for yourself ask God for wisdom and to give you understanding of those two books. You will be amazed. God’s prophecies are excact and came to pass long before they happen.
People forget that this country was founded on religious freedom, however that is also based on the Christian-Judeo beliefs. A belief in the true and living God. I don’t know how this fits in with those who worship false gods, but according to biblical history it destroys those who are weak in their faith in God (Yahweh).
Would it be like therapists having to disclose information related to safety of the client or someone else?
Whenever you start talking about faith, it seems to boil down to religion. Not being “religious” seems to be measured by whether or not one attends or holds membership in a particular church or religious establishment. I would point out that one can be religious, have a deep rooted faith in God and/or a power greater than oneself, without being tied to a particular church organization.
Religions seem to have become more about their self preservation and less about helping people enrich their understanding of and relationship with that greater power.
As a baby-boomer, I have no doubt that the number of active church going people is on the decline. Few of my acquaintances attend church on a regular basis. Having lived in a number of areas over my career, I have not perceived any significant differences region to region since the early 70’s. Those who grew up going to church every Sunday during the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s seem to have made weekly church attendance a lower life priority. My sample of friends and acquaintances would suggest an ongoing belief in the almighty, but a lessening of the need for, or even beliefs in the need for, a third party to intercede on our behalf.
In Hebrews the writer said to keep on meeting together to encourage one another and do so even more as the day approaches. It does seem that the day mentioned is coming closer than some think if the anti-Christian so called “Equality” resolution shows us forcing churches to conduct homosexual weddings if asked and also discriminates against girls in sporting events. Some of us may still be here when one of Satan’s followers sits in an apparently new temple in Jerusalem as mentioned in 2 Thessalonians, at least it seems to be getting closer to that day.
I certainly pray that Chist will interced on my behalf.