In an ad being run in Iowa, Texas Governor Rick Perry says, “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian. But you don’t have to be in the pew every Sunday to know that there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military, but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school. As president, I’ll end Obama’s war on religion, and I’ll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.”
I have several thoughts about this, beginning with this one: To the degree that any person in this campaign has championed a “war” against religion, it is what Herman Cain advocated vis-à-vis Muslims – from saying he would deny them a spot in his Cabinet and on the federal bench to advocating a “loyalty proof.” So perhaps Governor Perry’s next ad can target Cain’s “war on religion.”
This doesn’t mean, of course, that there are not problematic court rulings when it comes to religion in the public square or efforts to misrepresent our religious heritage. But as a Christian who attends church on a weekly basis, hosts a Bible study, reads the Scriptures, speaks openly about my faith (and even writes about it from time to time on this web site), and who can pray at any moment of the day or night, I would say this: Whatever is happening in America today, it cannot fairly be considered a “war” on Christianity.
In addition, I’d offer this slightly more theological observation: The main threat to Christianity in America is not that a “war” is being declared on it; it is that those of us who are Christian are too comfortable in this world, which the founder of Christianity said is not our true home.
As for Perry’s invocation of gays in the military: that is a prudential judgment having to do with military readiness. And many of our top military officers support allowing gays to serve in the military. To contrast gays serving in the military with kids not openly celebrating Christmas is a very unfortunate road to travel down. If Governor Perry, a self-proclaimed Christian, is really interested in channeling the cares and concerns of Jesus, he might consider saying a word about poverty and injustice, which seemed to have concerned Jesus even more than gays in the military.
Sometimes the worst advertisements for Christianity are its adherents. For more, see Rick Perry’s Iowa ad.
This article is either very naive or very irresponsible. I cannot fathom why it is linked to from the Gospel Coalition. Yes a Christian should care about the poor and the weak but that does not mean that we pretend like sin does not exist. Perry points to problems in America. Can you say we don't have them? He brings up children not being allowed to openly pray in school or celebrate the birth of their Savior. Are these marks of a society that has freedom of religion? He points out gays being able to openly serve in the military. Have you read Romans 1? Again I wonder, what was the real purpose of this article? As for the last statement, Barack Obama supposedly adheres to Christianity. Where is your article about his opposition to life or his support for flagrant sin? I'm waiting, I'm waiting………..do I hear crickets chirping?
You need a reality machine my friend.
Where in this country is it illegal for children to pray in school? Nowhere. What IS illegal is for the school itself to lead the prayer. Any kid, at any time, is free to bow his/her head and pray.r nr nSecond, to the post below — because of non-discrimination laws, Illinois will NO LONGER USE PUBLIC MONEY to pay religious organizations for adoption services because those charities choose to discriminate based on their beliefs, which is fine but they can NOT take taxpayer money to do so.
I agree that there is not a war on "religion" in this country, but there very much seems to be a war on Christianity. I will offer just 2 very quick and recent examples: The State of Illinois will no longer contract with Christian charities for foster care and adoption services because of their new "gay marriage" law and 12 nurses working at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, NJ have sued because their employer wants them to assist in abortions and post-abortion care. n nSo yeah, there is a war on. On one side orthodox (or even mainstream) believers and on the other the radical left.
No. See this is what Pete is talking about: selectively choosing details that suit your victimized Christian worldview while ignoring others. Illinois did not simply say "Well gay couples have civil unions now
This is a fantastic piece. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this, sir. As long as Christians believe we are being bullied and mistreated in America our message of Christ will not be heard by non-believers. We are not victims. We are not weak. We are the hands and feet of the living Christ and we must stop complaining and whining that others in this country dont believe what we believe. This country was founded on freedom. Here in America, you can be whatever you want including but not limited to: a great person, a seeker of peace and justice, a total ass, a racist, a follower of Muhammad, a follower of Jesus Christ, an atheist, etc. If the people of this country dont believe in Jesus and his principles then it is because Christians aren't doing a good enough job of showing them the Gospel. Amen.