Something occurred to me as I was driving this afternoon while listening to American Family Radio. There was a report of some school (I’m afraid I perked up only after most of the details had already been given) that had written policies governing the dissemination of religion-related materials such as Bible School invitations. One particular church followed the rules to the letter, but the assistant superintendent of the schools decided against allowing the invitations to be distributed, citing – of course – church/state issues. And – of course – someone has his or her nose out of joint as a result and – of course – is claiming “persecution” or, at the very least, unconstitutional behavior.
Considering that this particular issue has numerous sub-issues, I am going to attempt to address only a couple as I see them in hopes that other Christians may be able to come to terms with the fact that there will always be obstacles slowing our journey. Whether these obstacles are results of the evil one’s direct intervention or the plain ignorance and fear of man, it matters little to the disciple who is serious about the work of the Gospel and feels unfairly burdened.
Even if a public school district has consulted with legal experts (a major expense) about how to properly deal with religious issues, there is always the potential for a lawsuit which will, more often than not, require more legal guidance (more expense). At a time when many public school districts are struggling financially, a decision to forego even a potential lawsuit is fiscally responsible … and the potential seems always to exist. If such unnecessary expenditures can be avoided, by all means avoid them. The money is better spent for teacher salaries, supplies, bus fuel, etc. And in today’s climate when everyone and his brother-in-law is trying to claim “victim” status to one degree or another, it is best for a public school district to stay out of the religion business altogether.
For Christians to claim “victim” status, however, is beneath contempt. In the United States, it is perfectly – and physically - safe to be a Christian and worship openly, but there are laws in this country which exist for historically sound reasons. Even by the wording of the Constitution, this is a decidedly secular – if neutral – government. The state is prohibited from taking sides or even getting involved at all. That having been said, then, it must be understood by Christians that even as we can claim US citizenship by birth or oath, we are unmistakably - and foremost - citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven by virtue of rebirth. In this country and in this world we are ambassadors, foreign dignitaries charged with the responsibility of abiding by and respecting the laws of our host nation. And if this nation’s laws say that there is a distinctive line between church and state that must not be crossed, then so be it.
Make no mistake. I am not defending those who seem to seek out opportunities to be “offended” by religion; I think it is much ado about nothing and that those who make such claims are only seeking their fifteen minutes of fame. I think it is a little ridiculous to claim harm on any level by seeing Christian literature passed around at a public school or hearing a prayer, for instance, at a public school football game. However, these people are still constitutionally protected from religionists who attempt to force feed their beliefs on a public that, regardless of sharing a belief in the New Covenant, simply may not see things exactly the way these religionists think they should. Therein lays the harm.
Jesus never imposed Himself on anyone. If He was asked a question, He answered it. If He was called upon to have mercy and heal, He showed mercy and healed. He was never without compassion for those who wallowed in their ignorance, but He could not really help anyone who did not want help. And if He was asked to leave a place, He would leave (Mark 5:17-18) just as He had advised His disciples to do (Matthew 10:14).
There is plenty of injustice in the world, but a Christian group being denied permission to distribute Bible School invitations at a public school does not quite meet the criteria of “unjust” when there will always exist alternatives such as going door-to-door or doing mass mailings and advertising. Obstacles only challenge us to go around them, but our journey must still continue because the obstacle itself was not, and perhaps is not, the ultimate goal. And if we cannot go one way around this obstacle but we are sure we are headed in the right direction, then we must choose to go another way. Let us be mindful, however, that allegiance to Jesus and the New Covenant is a decision that individuals must make freely and without compulsion. Shoving religion down someone’s throat is not only not within our “rights” but is a direct violation of another’s legitimate rights.
This is not who we are, and it is not who we are called to be or what we are called to do. Many will seek us out sooner or later and they may come calling as a result of our faithfulness, but they will never come to Christ if He is presented to them as an unreasonable and demanding task-master or iron-fisted ruler. We have rights, you know, and we rejected one king some 230 years ago who attempted to usurp the rights of man. Another equally unreasonable and demanding king will not likely fare much better.
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