Some of the headlines I see suggest that there is a war on Christianity. What do you see and don't Christians have rights?

I see the headlines that you see and certainly there are groups that object to Christianity. It seems that more of the objections come from secular groups than religions having differing view points. Perusing the news today I see the following all by Todd Starnes posted on the internet:

Atheists Strong Arm Wrestling Team over Bible Verse

Air Force Academy Orders Cadet to Remove Bible Verse

Teacher Faces Possible Firing for Sharing Bible Verse

Mandrallius Robinson of The Greenville (SC) News Group: Clemson Football “Entangled with Religion”

Two of the cases arose from the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the others from complaints to supervising boards. Let’s look at the basic facts of some of these cases even though the premise is similar in all.

The wrestling team at South High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia wore shirts that read “I can do all things through Him that strengthens me”. These shirts were purchased purely by the individual members of the wrestling team with no funds from the school.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; . .” It was Thomas Jefferson, in writing to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802, wrote, “ . . . , I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and state.” While Jefferson is much revered as a Founding Father, he was serving as Minister to France during the Constitutional Convention and is thus not one of the signers. Jefferson’s religious views were suspect and he questioned the deity of Christ in a letter. Some even considered him an atheist. So one can see Jefferson’s views and how they may skew today’s modernistic leanings.

James Madison submitted twelve Amendments for consideration. The result was ten Amendments, now coined as “The Bill of Rights”. However, Thomas Jefferson was Madison’s mentor and an influence on the First Amendment. It has long been argued that the First Amendment was meant to prevent a state sponsored religion such as the Church of England. It seems that Jefferson’s influence on Madison was inclusive in the Bill of Rights but also served to support the ideals of those that had concerns about the rights of individuals within a Constitutional government.

If you look on the Freedom From Religion Foundation web site you will see that it’s membership is proudly made of “atheists, agnostics and skeptics”. They display a picture of Thomas Jefferson as one of it’s heroes. Thomas Jefferson was a great American but he was not a friend to the public expression of one’s religious beliefs if there was a governmental connection. It is plain that this group seeks to eradicate the public display of (most specifically) Christianity, whether or not there appears to be any State endorsement or “entanglement” as they suggest.

The argument of the wrestling team is that the shirts are not school endorsed and no school money was used in printing the shirts.

At Clemson University, Head Football coach, Dabo Swinney is a man of faith, a religious man. His players are not required to participate in any religious activities. There is a former Clemson football player that acts as team Chaplain. The Freedom From Faith Foundation argues that the coaches have great influence over the players in that they determine who plays and who has scholarships; it is apparently not a student led program regarding the religious programs tied to the Clemson football team. Prior court cases have focused more on pre-college, saying that those kids are more easily influenced in their thinking. Are children not taught things in school that parents have to correct when they are not principals of the parents, such as evolution when parents believe in Creation?

The Constitution also says that there should be no prohibition against the free exercise thereof (religion). Free exercise not only includes the private or corporate worship of like minded people but should also include a public expression.

I am a sinner, saved by Grace. I am a man of faith and I am a blessed man. One blessing is that the Publishers of the Alabama Gazette allow me to write for a newspaper that is not indentured to the federal government and is pro-American and pro-Christian. I can express that without fear.

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