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Today, October 31, 1517, Martin Luther had enough. He posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg.
The advancement of Christianity was for all time changed by one man's conviction and courage.
Rand Paul said earlier this week, "When the mayor of Houston sent her legal dogs to demand the sermons of ministers who opposed an ordinance that might prevent churches from hiring people who adhere to a traditional faith, my first thought was of Martin Luther and my hope was..."
Paul says his hope was that someone would, in elaborate calligraphy, "stencil the First Amendment upon parchment and nail it to the door of city hall."
In a way that happened.
As we all now know, the mayor has withdrawn her "dogs" and decided the subpoenas will not be enforced---at least for now.
Paul says, "Nothing chills dissent, speech or the free exercise of religion like the heavy hand of the government."
He said, "The First Amendment cannot be allowed to wither and die on the altar of political correctness," suggesting, "Maybe its time to nail it to every door of every city hall, state capitol and the entrance to Congress every day so they have a daily reminder of what they're not allowed to do."
I and most biblical Christians agree.
Secularism is attempting to squeeze the life from freedom at the altar of political correctness.
Secular progressives try to completely separate government from religious influences, and yet maintain a social order.
That's impossible.
Our Founders had a very clear and profound understanding of the linkage between Judeo-Christian values and a successful society.
The next generation also understood. Daniel Webster said, "Hold on my friends to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands...If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering...if we neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."
He also reminded those who would follow, "Finally let us not forget the religious character of our origins."
It was John Quincy Adams, the son of Founder John Adams, who famously said, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."
The history of our country's founding and that of generations that followed reflects this same understanding.
Through indoctrination and re-educating of our youth in government schools, some now believe we can continue to claim "rights" through government administration while denying the Source of the rights.
Government can no more successfully be separated from morality based on religious doctrine than the mind can successfully be separated from the heart.
Once we concede that we do not have the right to shape our laws by our religious convictions, we are no longer a free country.
There has been no overt, active overthrow of our rights as citizens, but a continuous, incremental undermining of them and the authority upon which they are based, until now they are simply being taken out of our hands by secular activists using the layers of laws written for that very purpose.
Those who disagree or dissent on religious grounds are simply deemed "bigots" or "intolerant"---people who discriminate against the rights of others.
There is of late an awakening of sorts---Houston, Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and hundreds of other cities and towns where these laws are used to choke freedom on the altar of political correctness and secularism.
Secularism isn't working.
Many insist they have religious convictions but are forced to live in a culture that no longer reflects those values. And there's not much we can do about it.
While that is true in many nations of the world, it is not true in America---at least not yet.
The conviction and courage of "someone" based on "something" will shape the laws and policies of this nation.
There are things you can do about it.
Our Founders chose Judeo-Christian values and principles to be their guiding light. Generations that followed made the same decision.
Secular progressivism has, in recent generations, deceived and distorted the truth of these values---calling right, wrong, wrong, right; good, evil, and evil, good. And by inverting the meaning of tolerance and equality and fairness they are attempting to redefine family and marriage and human sexuality.
It's decision time in America.
What will you choose?
Voting is an important expression of our convictions. Will we cast our vote for someone who "doesn't really agree with my belief on marriage or the sanctity of life but they are of my Party and agree with some of my convictions?"
I hope not.
Ultimately voting isn't the most important expression.
It's prayer.
Followed up with Spirit directed action.
Given the times in which we live, I believe we are standing in a 2-year threshold of great opportunity.
Be Informed. Be Courageous. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
