The Highway.com
Commentaries of a 21st Century Heretic
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
(The First Amendment)
"Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked."(Psalms 82: 2-3)
"This above all, to thine own self be true."
(William Shakespeare: Hamlet)
In My Humble Opinion
For most of my life I sat quietly, secure in my beliefs those things would be the same tomorrow as they are today. I went to work, paid my bills, married the love of my life and raised a family never once thinking that I would ever have to worry about the country I live in and the freedoms that provided me the opportunities to succeed. I never thought that anybody would challenge them, chip away at them, try to undermine them. I never expected this in the name of Christ.
I had a rude awakening.
What began as an exploration of Christianity in 21st century America quickly took on a new dimension as I realized how closely it was linked to recent politics. From the decisions in the highest government offices to the lessons taught my children in public schools, I saw a trend that sought to replace freedom of speech, religion and press with "the free gift of salvation," 10 Commandments and a 6,000 year old universe. After all, Fundamentalist Christianity is powerful, marketable, highly organized, and its members cast votes. It was only a matter of time before it could really make a dent in the laws, which keep it from monopolizing control over the hearts and minds of a free, diverse people . . . if not at least its actions. In a society too complacent, busy or apathetic to let its voice be heard, the First Amendment stands wearily against an onslaught from an "army of God" bent on "bringing the world to Jesus," but for how long?
As long as we do not stand with it, defend it; let our voices be heard.
In My Humble Opinion is just that . . . the views of one man, a Christian and a citizen of the United States of America, proud to be both. It speaks in the spirit of acceptance, equality, fairness, tolerance and trust, ideas central to both. It comments on the way I believe we do not live up to the standards we claim to hold so dear, Christian love and American freedom. It asks that we all take a good look at ourselves before we let both become a thing of the past.
