In God We Trusted

The demonization of Christians and Christianity has shown to be alive and well in recent years. The fight for a sterile godless society has taken root and appears to be winning. Moreover, the misrepresentation of constitutional rights has emboldened individuals to force secular views onto society as a whole. The bastardization of the First Amendment has castrated the very freedoms upon which this nation was built. Yet, as the nation becomes more secular and iconoclastic, they overlook where the foundation of modern society began.

In order to better understand the world of today, one must understand where we (society) came from. How has religion shaped the world of today? To do this one must first look at the ideals that we have as a capitalistic society. To most easily display this point, let us look at a small period of history and return to the 17^th century Dutch Republic and the Protestant reformation. To give a very brief overview, the Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century schism within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. It was sparked by the 1517 posting of Luther's Ninety-Five Theses.

During this time the idea of having an individual relationship with God, not needing a priest or religious clergy as a mediator set forth a whole new perspective on ones relationship with God. Emphasis was placed on the ability to read the Bible in order to have a greater relationship with God. In turn this put pressure on individuals to be educated. Prior to this point, only wealth people or clergy typically had the skills needed to read and write. However, if you wanted to have a better relationship with God (as a Protestant) one was encouraged to read the Bible. Inadvertently the spread of religion pushed forth an age of education.

This was further supported by the drive for wealth through labor and discovery through innovation. As people became more educated they began to make mechanical discoveries, which enabled them to work more efficiently. This can be viewed as the early influence of capitalism.

I believe the most dynamic point of the 17^th century Dutch Republic was the tolerance of others. During this time it was not uncommon to find people of Jewish faith being persecuted. In addition those who left the traditional Catholic Church were considered out cast. The safe haven of the Dutch Republic provided a melting pot of culture and religion much like that of America today.

Moreover, one can see the direct pattern of the Protestant Reformation to that of the colonist breaking from the Church of England. A major cry of the American colonies was for religious freedom which mirrored that of the Dutch Republic of the 17^th century. As we “rage against the machine” we neglect to acknowledge what it was the framers of this nation rebelled against. When one looks closely, it is easy to see recidivistic pattern and the impact that religion has had on secular worldviews.

This is hardly doing justice to the Protestant Reformation in regards to its impact on Christianity, which is not the point of my current argument. More so I am stating the effect that religion has on secular societies and the misguided American drive to sterilize the nation from God. To do so would be to deny the foundation of our modern society. It would require one to strip all the benefits given to the needy. To deny medical to those who cannot get it by any other means. It would deny all the advancements of modern technology, education, and equal rights. The demonization of Christianity is essentially the demonization of all.

I said all that to say this, I was once told, “You do not have the right to never be offended”. In other words, others have the freedom to offend you. Likewise, you have the freedom to offend them. The First Amendment guarantees this; “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”.

Please note that it does not state “separation of church and state” as some believe. What the First Amendment promises as far as religion is concerned is freedom to chose. The population of the United States has become far too intolerant of Christians.  As a Christian, I choose to accept you regardless of what you may think of my faith. I am not asking you to practice Christianity with me, I am asking you to understand that the world is not all about you. Let go of the narcissism and have a cup cake. I’m sorry if my God offends you, but your lack of understand, faith, and respect offends me. Suck it up!