Yesterday a case against Freeman and Lay received national coverage and certainly dominated local news here on the Gulf Coast. It was quite the hullabaloo! I've read various local reports on the account and certainly have heard all the pablum ad nauseam.
I know that a 1000 local professing Christians came to "stand" by these two men. The outcome of no jail time was celebrated as a victory for the good guys. Perhaps. One thing I do know is, in today's complex world there is profoundly more than one way to look at this scenario. Should they have prayed? I don't know. It seems it would have been extremely legal to have a willing student pray (which it seems there was no shortage of volunteers). It definitely could be a case of pride (not that I know).
So the question that arises might be: For What would we be willing to go to jail? In the book of Acts some Apostles said "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29 for reference junkies). But here the law was that the apostles couldn't preach- at all- anywhere. Not that they couldn't pray in a Governmental Institution. I don't think the Apostles, nor the other disciples thought of Peter and John as Heroes. And I don't believe they were sticking out their chests saying- YEAH! We won w/ the Chief Counselor- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They were living in a culture that was totally against Jesus, a culture that killed him.
I hope I would go to jail if the gov't said I couldn't preach, or pray at all. But telling me not to preach/pray as a Public school teacher, well if I rise up as a protester as that- it seems somewhat hypocritical for me to make a stance against a Muslim teacher promulgating their doctrine, or anyone for that matter- after all- we are all free.
I will gladly (I hope) suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ when it is that-suffering for him. But not b/c of my own glory in the disguise of Christian duty. But please hear me, I am not saying this is the motive of Freeman and Lay- I don't know. I haven't spoken w/ them nor could I read their hearts. But the many who have spoken up for them, seem to miss the point.
The Minute my Gov't says I can't follow Jesus, can't say his name- preach his message- I will disobey that Gov't. but when the Gov't that seeks unity above "Religion" and unity through true Kingdom Living (regardless of the motives of the citizens in a City/Country)- I will live peaceably w/ in it.
For what would you risk jail in the name of the Kingdom?
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3 comments:
I drove by the courthouse yesterday, in the pooring rain, wondering what that was all about and was later told by a collegue what it was. I would like to think that I would stand up for my faith in Christ if it were ever outlawed just like I would jump the guy trying to rob the 7-11 I happened to be in. But the truth of the matter is I would probably cower in the corner and pee myself. But one can't know how they would react in a situation until they are actually put in that situation. I can only ask God for the grace to do what he has asked us to do, namely, be an afflux of authentic life to the community around me in an effort to show His love. I'm not sure that I am articulating myself clearly. Maybe someone can pick up for me?
Jeremy
I've actually thought about this before and I don't think I would have a problem going to jail for the cause of Christ (assuming I thought it was a valid enough reason). The reason is, I think (as Jeremy stated we really don't know what we will do in all actuality), is that I would love for people to look at me and applaud me for my martyrdom (I currently love this when my martyrdom is only perceived and not actual; I can only imagine the adrenaline rush of having people think how great of a Christian I am.
I don't mean to say that the principal had these same thoughts (as Sam so eloquently spelled out already). I only say that I think this is the way that it would probably happen, but my hope in that would be that God would give me the strength not only to stand up for Christ, but also to put to death my ego (which is something I have not been able to suffer much for).
All in all, this is a difficult subject and our current cultural war within Christendom is many times not helpful, but a scripture does come to my mind in this question from Matthew's Gospel:(Jesus is preparing his disciples for the brutal reality that they are going to suffer in the midst of living and giving the gospel)"When they (courts and governments and rulers)deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." My hope is that God will work it out when the time comes.
The laws that are in place for public school teachers and administers are there to PROTECT students of all religions. I don't want my (future) kids being taught religious/political ideals from their teachers at public schools. I want them to learn that stuff from me!
I'm proud to keep my mouth shut at school because that's the ethical thing to do. As much as I would love to share my opinion, I know it would be wrong because as a teacher, I am an influential person in my students' lives and it is their parents' job to teach them about that stuff.
If they ever outlaw any type of religious expression in the US, I will definitely/hopefully go to jail. I'm sure I'll have plenty of company. :) I don't think this will ever happen in my lifetime, but I really hope I would have the courage to be incarcerated for the person I say is the most important to me, Jesus.
I love you all.
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