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.