When I was in High School, my friend started a Pro-Life Club, and I helped run it. Our principal told us that our club was too "controversial" to meet during school hours (even though other "controversial" groups could). The principal said that we weren't allowed to use the school's intercom to announce meetings or donation drives for our club (but somehow other "controversial groups" could). It was the first time I had ever experienced how one-sided the school system was when it came to Christianity.
Over the years, I have witnessed politicians cherry-picking Bible verses to snatch the moral high ground of superiority and megachurch pastors become millionaires -flaunting their lavish lifestyle on social media while preaching about "humbleness." Christianity in America has become nothing more than a mockery, commodity, and an easy target for the opposition.
American Christians have faced no real opposition up until now. Today, they are faced between choosing to obey man's law or follow the word of God.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, state government officials ordered that religious worship be avoided to slow the spread of the virus. While many churches complied with these orders, few stood their ground and continued holding religious gatherings. State government officials used the pandemic as an excuse to trample on the First Amendment, which protects "the free exercise" of religion and "the right of the people peaceably to assemble." Gatherings held for religious worship were frowned upon, punished, and discouraged, but gatherings in the form of protests that later turned to riots were excused and celebrated.
Christians in China, North Korea, and other parts of the country are being persecuted for their faith as we speak. But Christians living in America have not been met with that same prejudice; few are willing to take a public stand for their faith. Most Christians don't even attend Church. According to the latest research, church attendance is at an all-time low, and there is a decline in Christianity.
In February, California State Assembly Member, Ash Kalra, introduced Bill A.B 655, called the "California Law Enforcement Accountability Reform Act." The Bill will not allow police officers to serve if they have used "Hate Speech" or if they have been affiliated with "Hate Groups." But that's the thing; what's now considered "hate speech" or "hate groups?” The Bill claims that they are fighting against "the infiltration of extremists in our law enforcement agencies." It would make such activities "grounds for termination."
The language in the Bill is so broad that it leads you to believe that it could be used to exclude members of non-hate groups, such as pro-life organizations or churches that don't condone same-sex marriage.
The way the Bill is written would prohibit Christians from working in law enforcement altogether. Oftentimes, the term "hate group" has been used to demonize political and ideological opposition. For example, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has become notorious for branding mainstream conservative and Christian groups as "hate groups" because they advocate against same-sex marriage or transgender activism.
A.B. 655 defines a "hate group" as "an organization that, based upon its official statements or principles, the statements of its leaders, or its activities, supports, advocates for, or practices the denial of constitutional rights of, the genocide of, or violence towards, any group of persons based upon race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability."
The way "hate group" is defined in the Bill can easily be used to target those associated with Conservative Christian organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). ADF is best known for fighting against having transgender women compete in women's sports.
Police officers worldwide risk their lives and pay the ultimate price to keep our families, homes, and communities safe. James 1:2-4 reads, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Without Christians in society, there is no society. The Bible is the reason we know that murder is wrong. The commandments are set within the context of devotion to God and are the foundation of morality. Without Christianity existing in society, there are no morals.
Bill A.B 655 sets a precedent for Christians to be barred from other forms of employment. What if one day Christians decided they have had enough of these bully tactics? What if one day they chose to resign? We would be missing many good doctors, nurses, firefighters, teachers, lawyers, police officers etc.
The California Constitution states in Article ONE, SEC. 4. "Free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference are guaranteed. This liberty of conscience does not excuse acts that are licentious or inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State. The Legislature shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
But what about the Separation of Church and State? Separation of Church and State is not in the constitution – like many claim. It does, however, matter and help protect religious liberty. Religion is indispensable to the foundation of the nation.
America is a free place for all religions. The first amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of thereof." George Washington once said, "religion and morality are indispensable supports of our political prosperity." Basically, what this means is that separation of Church and State was taken out of context – it was supposed to protect Christians and all religions from the government to ensure they have religious rights. It also ensured that the government couldn't choose one religion over the other. America was founded on the principles that all men could worship as they pleased without government interference.
Although American Christians aren't facing the same level of persecuting other Christians are in other countries, they certainly feel the sting of religious discrimination and political correctness currently taking place.
1 Peter 3:15 reads, "But in your hearts revere Christ as LORD. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"
In 2016, in Houston, TX, as part of a crackdown on preaching against homosexuality, Pastors were met with religious discrimination and forced to turn over their sermons to the government.
In America, Christians have become the persecuted minority.
Americans today indulge in sin without fear of consequence. Living in sin is now tolerated and celebrated, but Christians who preach the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ are deemed "controversial." Society, much like the government, wants to cancel Christianity, just like society and the government once tried to cancel Jesus. Christianity's future depends on believers' ability to construct effective ways of living out the faith in a hostile and chaotic culture.
In an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus, we have seen government officials force churches to shut down while ignoring the crisis at the border, thus allowing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have tested positive for COVID-19 to be released into our communities.
How can Christians fight the ongoing war against Christianity? As Christians, we need to be more engaged and involved in the world of politics. We need more Christians attending town meetings, on the school board, and running for office. Now is the time for Christians to infiltrate the political world and take a public stand when protecting their faith.
In the name of "diversity" and "tolerance," extremists have inculcated hatred of Christianity, and infiltrated our school systems. The war against Christianity is at its peak; many want to create a society where Christians are barred from the workplace and excluded from society. Whatever happened to diversity of thought? If we want our country to prosper, we must learn to look past one another’s religious beliefs and work together.
My message to Christians: Fight for your rights while also saying I may disagree with you, but I will fight for your right to say it. God is calling upon Christians to take a public stand. As Christians, we must fight in a dignified, honorable manner and worthy of the reward that awaits us.
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)
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