News Alert: Freedom from Religion

Discussing current events and how they relate to Biblical prophesy. What are some critical signs are pointing to the imminent Rapture of the Church?

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 53:1)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12)

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Religious freedom CNN’s 5 Things, June 20, 2024

Louisiana public schools are now required to display the Ten Commandments in all classrooms after Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed the requirement into law on Wednesday. House Bill 71, approved by state lawmakers last month, mandates that a poster-size display of the Ten Commandments with a “large, easily readable font” be in every classroom at schools that receive state funding, from kindergarten through the university level. Opponents of the bill have argued that a state requiring a religious text in all classrooms would violate the establishment clause of the US Constitution, which says that Congress can “make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Civil liberties groups swiftly vowed to challenge the law in court.

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New law requires all Louisiana public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments AP, June 20, 2024

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana has become the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom, the latest move from a GOP-dominated Legislature pushing a conservative agenda under a new governor.

The legislation that Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed into law on Wednesday requires a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” in all public classrooms, from kindergarten to state-funded universities.

“If you want to respect the rule of law, you’ve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses” who got the commandments from God, Landry said.

Opponents questioned the law’s constitutionality and vowed to challenge it in court. Proponents said the measure is not solely religious, but that it has historical significance. In the language of the law, the Ten Commandments are “foundational documents of our state and national government.”

The posters, which will be paired with a four-paragraph “context statement” describing how the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries,” must be in place in classrooms by the start of 2025.

Under the law, state funds will not be used to implement the mandate. The posters would be paid for through donations.

The law also “authorizes” but does not require the display of other items in K-12 public schools, including: The Mayflower Compact, which was signed by religious pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620 and is often referred to as America’s “First Constitution”; the Declaration of Independence; and the Northwest Ordinance, which established a government in the Northwest Territory — in the present day Midwest — and created a pathway for admitting new states to the Union.

Not long after the governor signed the bill into law at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Lafayette on Wednesday, civil rights groups and organizations that want to keep religion out of government promised to file a lawsuit challenging it.

The law prevents students from getting an equal education and will keep children who have different beliefs from feeling safe at school, the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation said in a joint statement Wednesday afternoon.

“Even among those who may believe in some version of the Ten Commandments, the particular text that they adhere to can differ by religious denomination or tradition. The government should not be taking sides in this theological debate,” the groups said.

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Is America a Christian Nation?

Christian nationalism is the belief that the American nation is defined by Christianity and that the government must act actively to keep it that way. Christian patriots say that America should and must remain a “Christian country” – not just by observing American history, but as a normative program of what must continue.

Scholars like Samuel Huntington have put forward a similar argument: that America is defined by its “Anglo-Protestant” past and that if we do not preserve our cultural heritage, we will lose our identity and freedom.

At the heart of Christian Nationalism is the notion that America is a unique instrument of God in the world, having been raised up in God’s providence to accomplish his purposes of establishing Christianity around the world. Many evangelical interpreters of the Book of Revelation have stated that America is the good guy in the story of God and the nations, and so the means by which God is working to spread his rule.

This is connected in the founding narrative of America that she is the shining city on a hill, an elect nation God has chosen to utilize for his purposes. As long as America remains moored to her Christian heritage and values, she will be blessed by God with economic and military power, and so be able to carry out his mission of spreading freedom across the world.

American triumphalism declares that the USA will triumph over her enemies through Divine blessing, of which American power and prosperity are signs, ensuring that America will have a preeminent position in the affairs of the world. Faithfulness to God will ensure that America will continue in her elect role as “leader of the free world.”

The ecclesial triumphalism that is a corollary to American triumphalism has shaped the Church to expect an earthly home in which the Church will be safe to practice her faith, which will be secured by God raising up political leaders to ensure her safety and protect the American heritage. American Christianity has long subscribed to the theological notion that America was founded as a Christian nation, and that the civic mission of the Church is to fight for the Christian nation against all enemies, be they foreign or domestic.

The Christian right has approached political engagement as a means of securing and protecting Christian values and of pushing back against godless secularists. This creates the conviction that political engagement is the means of securing for ourselves a culture in which Christian morality is dominant in society, and also to ensure that Christians have the right and power to guarantee such a culture. The sense that America is being taken over by godless secularists, thereby threatening America’s status as the Blessed Nation, is an important factor for understanding why so many evangelicals voted for Trump.

Freedom From Religion Foundation vs. Christian Nationalism

We find ourselves in troubled times. Forces of secularism and atheism are waging a relentless crusade against the very foundations of our Christian nation. Chief among these adversaries is the so-called Freedom From Religion Foundation, an organization that seeks to strip away our religious liberties and erase God from the public square.

Let us be clear about the nature of this struggle. The Freedom From Religion Foundation claims to champion freedom, but what they truly advocate is freedom from the truth of God’s word. They cloak their agenda in the language of civil rights, but make no mistake – their ultimate goal is to silence the voice of Christianity in America.

One of their most egregious campaigns has been the systematic attempt to remove the Ten Commandments from our schools, courthouses, and other public spaces. These commandments, given to us by God Himself, have served as a moral compass for Western civilization for thousands of years. They teach us to honor God, respect our parents, value human life, uphold the sanctity of marriage, and live with integrity. What possible harm could come from displaying these timeless principles?

Yet the Freedom From Religion Foundation sees these commandments as a threat. They argue that the mere presence of Biblical teachings in public violates the separation of church and state. But this is a gross misinterpretation of our Constitution. Our Founding Fathers never intended to ban all expressions of faith from public life. On the contrary, they understood that our republic could only flourish if it was grounded in strong moral and spiritual values.

By seeking to eliminate the Ten Commandments from view, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is not protecting freedom – they are undermining the very ethical framework that makes freedom possible. A society without moral absolutes is a society adrift, vulnerable to the winds of moral relativism and secular humanism.

But their crusade does not stop there. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has declared war on any and all expressions of faith in the public sphere. They have sued to remove “In God We Trust” from our currency. They have fought against voluntary prayer in schools. They have even attacked the time-honored tradition of chaplains in our military and legislative bodies.

These actions reveal their true colors. This is not about protecting the rights of non-believers. It is about actively suppressing the free exercise of religion guaranteed by our Constitution. It is about marginalizing people of faith and pushing Christianity to the fringes of society.

Perhaps most troubling is their vitriolic opposition to what they derisively call “Christian Nationalism.” Let us be clear about what this term really means. Christian Nationalism is not about imposing a theocracy or denying rights to non-Christians. It is simply the belief that America’s laws, institutions, and culture should reflect the Christian values upon which this nation was founded.

Is it “nationalism” to acknowledge, as our Founders did, that our rights come from God, not government? Is it “extremism” to believe that Biblical principles of justice, compassion, and human dignity should inform our policies? Is it “dangerous” to assert that faith has a vital role to play in public life?

The Freedom From Religion Foundation would have you believe so. They paint a caricature of Christian patriots as intolerant zealots seeking to oppress others. But nothing could be further from the truth. True Christianity teaches love for all, respect for human rights, and freedom of conscience. It is perfectly compatible with democracy and pluralism.

What the Freedom From Religion Foundation fails to understand is that removing God from public life does not result in neutrality – it creates a vacuum that will inevitably be filled by other ideologies. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does the human heart. If we do not ground our nation in timeless truths, we leave it vulnerable to the shifting sands of moral relativism and materialistic secularism.

We must also consider the practical consequences of their agenda. Study after study has shown that religious faith is associated with lower rates of crime, drug abuse, and suicide. It promotes charitable giving, volunteerism, and strong families. By seeking to purge religion from public life, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is undermining the very social fabric that holds our communities together.

We cannot stand idly by as this organization seeks to rewrite our history and reshape our culture in their godless image. We must speak out. We must defend our heritage. We must insist that faith has a place in the public square.

But let us do so with love, not hatred. Let us reach out to those who oppose us with compassion and understanding. Many who support the Freedom From Religion Foundation are simply misguided, having been led astray by false teachings. They need our prayers, not our condemnation.

At the same time, we must be firm in our convictions. We must not waver in our defense of religious liberty. We must boldly proclaim the truth of God’s word, even when it is unpopular to do so.

Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) We should not be surprised when organizations like the Freedom From Religion Foundation oppose us. But neither should we be intimidated by them.

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America – Embracing True Christianity?

While a sense of justice is important, so is understanding God’s purpose and kingdom—an “upside-down” kingdom that calls us to love our enemies and return evil with kindness (5:44). It’s a stark contrast to how the world might react, yet it’s a response that God seeks to nurture in us.

Christianity focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ, as defined in the Christian Bible and in the apostolic and Nicene denominations. It is a gathering of people “of all nations and tribes and people and languages” who worship Jesus (Rev. 7: 9), a faith that unites Jews and Greeks, Americans and non-Americans.

Christianity is political in the sense that its followers have always understood their faith in such a way as to question, influence and persuade their secular fidelity.

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The Word of God calls all Christians to purity

“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:

“The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:14-21)

In the Book of Revelation, the seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea. Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley.

In contrast to the other six churches, the Laodicean church has nothing to commend it.

Jesus begins the message with condemnation: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17).

Jesus emphasizes their “lukewarm,” apathetic nature three times. As a result of their ambivalence to spiritual things, Jesus would have nothing to do with them. He would “vomit them out,” as the people of Laodicea would spit out the tepid water that flowed from the underground aqueducts to their city. With their apathy came a spiritual blindness; they claimed to be rich, blessed and self-sufficient. Perhaps they were rich in material things. But, spiritually, the Laodiceans were in a wretched, pitiful condition, made all the worse in that they could not see their need. This was a church filled with self-deceived hypocrites.

Jesus calls the Laodicean church to repent of its sin: “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see” (Revelation 3:18). Their material wealth had no eternal benefit, so Jesus commands them to come to Him for true, spiritual riches (see Isaiah 55:1-2). Only Christ can supply an everlasting inheritance, clothe us in righteousness, and heal our spiritual blindness.

Jesus then notes His concern for His church in Laodicea: “As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:19-20).

His rebuke is not born of animosity but of love. “the Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6). The desired response to God’s reproof was zealous change and true repentance.

Verse 20 is often used as an evangelistic appeal, yet its original context communicates Christ’s desire for fellowship with His lukewarm church in Laodicea. The church is nominally Christian, but Christ Himself has been locked out. Rather than turn His back on them, He knocks, seeking someone to acknowledge the church’s need and open the door. If they would repent, Jesus would come in and take His rightful place in the church. He would share a meal with them, a Middle Eastern word picture speaking of closeness of relationship.

Jesus then makes a promise to the believers in Laodicea: “The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21). The “victor” refers to any believer, and the promise is that he will share Christ’s future kingdom.

In summary, the church at Laodicea, much like us, had become apathetic in their love for Christ. They were allowing “the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19). Christ called them to repent and live zealously for Him, to “choose for yourselves today the one you will worship” (Joshua 24:15).

The Lord Jesus issues the same call to those who say they follow Him today. How can we be made pure?

Through giving our hearts to Jesus the Messiah, we can wash our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. We approach the throne through praise, worship, and giving thanks.

Praise and Worship

I praise and worship you, Father God, Jehovah, My Lord, Yahweh

You are Almighty God, Father of Lights, the Ancient of Days.

You have known me since the foundations of the World.

You know my thoughts, feelings and my heart’s desire.

Your promises, Abba Father, never fail. You never change.

You are the All Sufficient One and the Self Existent One.

You are the I AM! You are love! I praise and worship you, Heavenly Father!

I praise and worship you Jesus, the Son of God, Yeshu‘a Mashiach

You are my Savior, my Christ, my Shepherd, and the Lord of All.

You are my Faithful Intercessor before the Father.

You gave yourself willingly on the cross for my sins and

for those who will accept you as Lord and Savior.

You are the Anointed One, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings.

You are the I AM! You are love! I praise and worship you, Jesus my Savior!

I praise and worship you Holy Spirit, my Counselor and Guide, Ruach HaKodesh

You are the All Powerful Spirit of the Living God.

You are my teacher, opening the Word of God to me.

You are my Wisdom, directing me in every decision I ask.

You give me knowledge from beyond the Holy of Holies.

You are Mighty and train me in the Fear of the Lord.

You are the I AM! You are love! I praise and worship you, Holy Spirit my helper!

Giving Thanks

• Thank you, Lord, for my salvation.
• Thank you for my health, my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Thank you for being my shield and the hedge of protection all around me.
• Thank you for my family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, the Church, and for all the people in your world. You gave us all to each other, to love each other, and to love, obey, and worship you.
• Thank you for depositing your Holy Spirit in me, and for the gifts of the Spirit. Thank you for giving me wisdom and knowledge to serve you better. Thank you for giving me reverence and trust in you.
• Thank you for your provision, Lord. All that I need flows from your throne to me.
• Thank you for giving me a worthy purpose and direction for my life, and guiding me in my daily thoughts, words, and actions. Let my life be a “living sacrifice” to you.
• Thank you, Lord, you are good. Your gracious love to me endures forever!

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If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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Current events are aligning with Biblical prophecy