Two ideals, one goal

I'm more and more convinced that it is becoming increasingly harder to be a Christian in the US. Not because of any type of persecution, but because we've been convinced that we can be a Christian in America. We are maintaining our ideals in an ever increasing Democratically free-state, a state that only pushes against who we are and what we believe.

And we've bought into it. We have been told that our rights are guaranteed and that we can live how we want, worship how we want, and yet we do not feel these rights apply to anyone who would think or believe otherwise.

And its not just Christians. This core belief has been the real battle ground of politics for, well, forever. Everyone wants their guaranteed rights, and may their be vengeance on anyone who wants their own rights that some how conflict with my ability to be free. "Keep your laws off my body" is a cry for inalienable rights, a pursuit of happiness. How can we as Christians show a way contrary to this very worldly, very un-Christian mindset if we keep struggling for our own government guaranteed "rights"?

Yesterday was the anniversary of the case that got rid of the definition of the "obscene". And today, while reading CNN's website (I know that I have said that I would never again go to these websites, but I was bored at work today), I came across the story about a small town in Wisconsin which wants to remove some books from their library. On one side are the librarians who do not feel that the nature of the books in question harm the integrity of the other books in the library or their patrons. Then there is the other side, who want the books removed because of the harm they can do to young adults who may read them.

Again, it really comes down to whose "rights" win? Who has the more "right"?

The more ironic part of the discussion is this quote, given by one of the leaders of the group that wants the books removed: "We want parents to decide whether they want their children to have access to these books ... and we want the library's help in identifying [them through labeling and moving]," Maziarka said. "It's just common sense."

It all comes back to one main issue: parents. Parents are the ones who need to be the ones guiding and instructing their children. To rely on government, no matter how very much elected, is to put reliance on the world. As we live and grapple in this American Democratic Society, our task is going to be hard as we grapple and struggle for what is rightfully ours... which makes it hard to live a life of submission and humility to our Lord, and a keen understanding of who should be raising our children.

While it is important to be active and to be a voice, we can not get frustrated at the world for being the world. Nor should we be relying on the world and its means to keep our children safe and to instruct them how to make "good" (read Godly) decisions.

So, please don't burn books. Parents, teach your kids how to write and enjoy books that will be a better example and give off more light than any pile of books lit ablaze. And teach them, show them, how to love and pray for their political leaders, while not seeing them as their leaders. And show them, with the example and exhortation of Christ, Paul, and Peter, how to properly submit to the world without being influenced by it. Show them how to be salt that flavors. Because by what right and by whose authority do we cling to anything of this world.

Obscenity was made permissable today

Today, whether you are aware of it or not, is a big day in our nation's history. 50 years ago today, the matter was settled as far as to what the federal and state govt's could determine as obscene. The Supreme court overturned a previous decision which would then allow books like "Lady Chatterly's Lover" to be published uncensored.

It's a pretty big day.

This is the case that would help further question the parameters, or lack of, for the First Amendment Rights cases. It was also a case which showed the turn of the courts, and the American culture towards a more "liberal" mindset. (Which plays against a largely Conservative belief that judges are more umpires than markers of social change).

There are two questions that revolved around this case and these are questions we should ask often. What influences us, and does it matter what form it takes? The main question the lawyer for the bookseller had argued was that “A novel, no matter how much devoted to the act of sex,” he said, “can hardly add to the constant sexual prodding with which our environment assails us.” In other words, what does it matter that there is one more screaming voice in the throng? It's a bit like asking which bullet did the real damage in the riddle of a man's body?

Where there are foodies, I guess I am a bookie (?), or maybe a bibliophile (really, I think we need a better more masculine term). I generally shy away from censorship. I don't know that I've ever not read a book because of a general outcry against it. I will admit that one of the reasons I started reading Harry Potter was because I was so curious as to how this little book was causing so many to "fall away from Godliness". Same goes for why I read the "Davinci Code", which lead me to "Angels and Demons". I don't look for the offensive ones and head that-a-way. I'm not a fan of Vonnegut, who I think is offensive sometimes for the sake of being offensive, but I do read Palahniuk and appreciate his view of society.

It comes to the point of asking whether or not we are listening to the mob to help us decide the norms and the appropriate ways to behave. Paul has said that "to the pure all things are pure", and this is a warning that to those who are innocent in mind, there is innocence in motive and action, and in how we are able to discern the motives of others. Judgement relies on that.

I've been moved by the thought made by Wright recently that one of the solid aims of Christianity is to allow Christ to speak to and critique society, and allow Him to inform our opinions and actions towards the world. So, amidst this thronging mass, there is one who speaks truth to it, calling us to rest in the true definition of what he created us to be, and that should be the voice we listen to.

Let the world have its clamour and want of rights and liberties. I don't know that we should be opposed or as loud sometimes as we are against their want of these things. We claim it has to do with how much it affects or infects our insular bubble, but in reality it should be watched. Its from this cry we can see where they are looking for Christ (read freedom).