Someone tell me...

[Frogman]

Why does everyone have freedom of speech and freedom of religion gauranteed by our national Constitution except a Christian?

This may be too general to be a general baptist discussion I don't know.

If so, move it, but don't block it, or cut it, or destroy it,...just kidding.

Seriously though, why? Any ideas? I think I know I just wonder how many others have the same thought.

Bro. Dallas

 

[Helen]

Because Christianity is the truth and therefore exclusive. It denies all else. Therefore it cannot be allowed as long as anything else is also considered true.

A second reason is because we are not threatening, and therefore do not have to be placated!

A third reason is because we have been the majority, at least by basic ethics and name, in the USA historically and therefore anyone else is in a minority which 'must be protected' -- usually meaning, 'from Christians.'

The biggest reason, underlying all the others, is fear. If Christianity is right, then the majority of people are in BIG trouble! They don't want that. Therefore Christianity must be suppressed. Ref. Romans 1....

 

[exscentric]

Spose its because so many Christians act like the world and the world hates copy cats? The "Christian world has copied just about everything worldly and are calling it Christian.

 

[gb93433]

And the world is copying the church too. They realize Christians are a big market.

 

[Hope of Glory]

John lost his head when he was truthful...

Seriously, though, their right to not be offended (not in the Constitution) supercedes your right to freedom of speech.

 

[Bunyon]

There is no such thing as a right to not be offended. And any attempt to enforce such a "right" would only lead to tyranny.

 

[Hope of Glory]

Which is exactly what is going on, eh?

 

[Eric Pement]

Originally posted by Frogman:
Why does everyone have freedom of speech and freedom of religion gauranteed by our national Constitution except a Christian?

[ ... ]
Seriously though, why? Any ideas? I think I know I just wonder how many others have the same thought.

If this is a serious question, please begin by explaining in what ways the right to free speech and the free exercise of religion is curtailed particularly for Christians.

Is there some sort of personal speech, publication, or religious practice that you personally want to have that is being denied to you? Are you asking with a particular restriction in mind (e.g., abortion protesters, film makers, etc.?), or just as a general sense that the rights of some Christian Americans are being violated?

I presume you are aware that the First Amendment to the Constitution permits to all Americans (including Christians) the freedom of speech, of assembly, of the press, the free exercise of religion, and also prohibits the "establishment" of any particular religion.

What is often the case is that the courts are overzealous in trying to prevent the "establishment" of a State religion by prohibiting certain religious practices (such as mandatory prayer in the public schools, etc.). Without some clear examples of what cases are behind your question, and why they apply only to Christians but not to other religions such as Islam or Scientology, it's difficult to proceed much further.

 

[Brother Ian]

Christians have always been censored. I heard on the radio Monday that a public school banned singing Christmas carols but allowed Hanukkah songs.

Seems like a freedom of speech thing to me.

A very vocal minority are trying to change the impact of Christ by what they define as an infringement of their rights, yet some authorities infringe the rights of Christians by attempting to keep them silent.

 

[cojosh]

Satan is on the forefront of trying to boot Christ(the real one) out of the US and as the return of Christ gets closer, it could get worse for the Christians.

 

[Frogman]

Dear Brother Eric,
Read a public High School History textbook and discuss with the students Greek Mythology, Roman dieties, Hinduism, Bhuddism, or Islam.

Then read the short paragraph on Christianity which focuses on the evils of the RCC and 'christians' in general during the crusades.

Then discuss Christianity and what is believed, just as the text discusses the others and what is believed.

Then tell me Christianity is not suffering prejudice among our public school.

Furthermore, let all these other religions have what they wish, they nor their religion is found to be offensive to me; why would the gospel truth be offensive to them?

Secondly there is nothing in the constitution that prohibits a school teacher from presenting what they believe equally with what the beliefs of the world is; the key is to not evangelize.

Anyway, thanks to all who responded, I agree with all the reasons given, especially that of cojosh. It is the spirit of Anti-Christ; remember that, not a spirit of 'anti-God' but of anti-Christ.

a spirit that is very active, even among Christians.

Bro. Dallas

 

[just-want-peace]

a spirit that is very active, even among Christians.

Unfortunately, you are absolutely correct!

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Frogman:
Why does everyone have freedom of speech and freedom of religion gauranteed by our national Constitution except a Christian?

Some Christians obviously do not care what gets on the national news. You do not wonder if they use any discretion in what they say. It is obvious they don't.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Frogman:
Secondly there is nothing in the constitution that prohibits a school teacher from presenting what they believe equally with what the beliefs of the world is; the key is to not evangelize.

A teacher can tell the class what they believe when a student asks. They just cannot use their postition as a platfrom to teach things outside of the class subject. As a teacher I could get in trouble for teaching a subject outside of my expertise because I am not equipped. But that does not mean I cannot tell students what I believe when they ask.

I have had tremendous opportunities to share my faith and give the gospel in front of classes of students. Teachers that shrink from declaring their faith are probably not saying much outside of the classroom in public either.

When I was in high school I had an English teacher who bought Christian books and a number of other good books with her own money for us to read if we liked. We could also read the text or other books if we liked. We just had to read and write a report.

 

[Frogman]

I agree gb93433 and I have shared my belief freely with any student who questions.

Bro. Dallas

 

[cojosh]

My wife is a schoolteacher and sometimes the opportunity arrises for her to share her beliefs with students. Many times it will encourage christian children to speak out for Christ.

You know, a lot of children are actually wiser than some of our government officials!

 

[just-want-peace]

You know, a lot of children are actually wiser than some of our government officials!

Not to detract from your statement, but, in many cases that does not take a whole lot of wisdom!!!

 

[Eric Pement]

Originally posted by Frogman:
Dear Brother Eric,
Read a public High School History textbook and discuss with the students Greek Mythology, Roman dieties, Hinduism, Bhuddism, or Islam.

Then read the short paragraph on Christianity which focuses on the evils of the RCC and 'christians' in general during the crusades.

I have three children--two in high school and one in college--and I sympathize with what you're talking about. I think the wrongs of Christianity are more emphasized in their textbooks than how it has benefitted society.

One point that really gets me is the references to the Great Awakening in the United States. I have seen three textbooks, and it seems as if the only sermon ever mentioned is "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," by Jonathan Edwards. In my daughter's history class, the teacher photocopied extracts from this sermon and handed them out to the students.

Now, I'm a Baptist and I believe in the doctrine of eternal punishment in hell ... but it sure seems biased that the only Christian sermon in the class to be reprinted is an extremely vivid Christian sermon on hell. When the class studies Hinduism, they don't reprint Hindu sermons on hell (e.g., from the Srimad Bhagavatam, 5th canto, part 2).

Fortunately, my daughter has a father who has a lot of books on church history, so I was able to get her to read some other writings of Edwards to show that the extract were an example of selective citation. But her teacher probably pats herself on her back for being "fair" and passing out a Christian sermon while discussing American revivals.

Then discuss Christianity and what is believed, just as the text discusses the others and what is believed.

Then tell me Christianity is not suffering prejudice among our public school.

Brother Dallas, I do think that the textbooks that teach history have a bias in them. I don't like the blotches in Christianity mentioned so much. Maybe that "comes with the territory," since Christianity does claim to regenerate and renew the hearts of believers, and so perhaps the unsaved have a right to ask, "Why didn't this work the way you promised it would?"

The examples we are discussing are (as you know) examples of social bias represented in textbooks, which really are not a First Amendment issue. Christianity not being popular or welcome is not the same as Christianity being legally excluded from the exercise of its faith.

Just to play devil's advocate, I'd say that although a general Christian consensus was the predominant view for many generations in the U.S., perhaps books on global cultures feel they don't need to give equal time to the dominant culture, precisely because it has been dominant. Therefore, other cultures, religions, and histories are emphasized even more, as an offset to the presumed weighting already in place. (I hope that makes sense.)

--
Eric Pement

 

[blackbird]

Unfortunetly---most Christians never give up their rights to remain silent!!!

 

[Frogman]

Dear Brother Eric,
you bring up some very good points. My discouragement with public schools is how that the children all 'know' that christianity is not to be supported.

When I am teaching on Greek Mythology would it be considered valid for a Christian to object by stating defiantly that what I am doing is 'illegal'.

The legality is not the question, it is the public perception.

I want to try to discuss more of your points but don't have time right now. I will try to later this evening.

Bro. Dallas