I've been reading and listening to comments on the Religious Liberty Committee's resolution adopted by the Baptist General Association of Virginia [insert] with great interest. I’ve seen evidence for the different sides of the debates, but I have to admit that I still don't completely understand the Founders' intentions. I don't think any of us can. They obviously did not foresee this current debate; otherwise, I'm sure they would have been much clearer in both their public documents and private writings. We have to view their writings much as we view the Bible — with one eye on the original meaning and context, and with the other eye on situations in our lives that of which the biblical writers never dreamed.
But in all the scramble for the best quotes, the most persuading arguments, I feel like we’ve been drawn away from some larger questions. First, we can come up with all kinds of people to blame. But is it not we, the Christians, who are responsible for the current push toward total separation?
Let's not kid ourselves about the privileges we've enjoyed — from those first meetings of a few men of the Continental Congress, to our meetings of hundreds of men and women in Washington today, religion has always had a limited role. Governments exist for the rule and welfare of the people, not as centers of worship. That’s why we have churches. Any effect our government itself has had on God’s kingdom has not come from laws, executive orders or Supreme Court rulings, but from the women and men who were willing, either by vote or by service, to live out the values they professed.
Is it possible that the move toward total separation happened because we took that role for granted? That we began to "use" God as an ideology, rather than seeking God for guidance? That even when we had the opportunity for public prayer, we did it halfheartedly — or worse, turned right around and began acting in ways that were contrary to what we'd prayed and the God we'd prayed to? In short, have our own hypocrisy and apathy compelled others to drive the Christian name out of government?
Second, I have to wonder if the kind of public recognition we're arguing over is really worth fighting for. What is it we want, anyway? Do we want presidents who can offer prayers on television, as they're sending men and women off to die in wars? Do we want Senate and House chambers to post the Ten Commandments while our laws encourage and legalize bearing false witness, oppressing the poor and coveting everything under the sun? If we're just fighting to get God's rubber stamp back on government activities, I'm not sure it's worth the effort. And I’m not sure God is jealous for that kind of nominal recognition.
But if we're fighting to make sure Jesus' commands are fulfilled — the hungry fed, the naked clothed, the orphan and widow cared for, the enemy loved, the oppressed set free — I think THAT'S worth fighting for. And that's a fight that doesn't start at the federal level (although it could end there). It doesn't begin with a bill or a resolution. It takes place in my life, with my time, my money and resources.
I wonder if we Christians worked at living up to our name once more, we would find that people are not so anxious to push us out of places we can do so much harm.
Jon Parks, Kenbridge