What Does the Bible Say?

It is interesting to see what brings out indignation and /or "righteous anger" in some Christians. I don't doubt their sincerity or devotion to God. It just seems that the same energy and enthusiasm would be better used to demonstrate the love of God.



Every now and then, we read that the Ten Commandments, carved in stone, cast in metal or otherwise displayed, are removed from some courthouse or other government building. Inevitably a hue and cry of objection is raised by a preacher or group of Christians who noisily gather at the site and grimly predict that the action will surely be the ruination of our country. Not.



For one thing, I would wager that most people of the community were not aware the Commandments were in the courthouse until they found that they were to be removed. Secondly, how many children or unbelievers or others do you suppose were actually influenced by the displayed silent scriptures?



More importantly, the government at any level is not and should not be engaged in the promotion of any religion. That is constitutionally decreed (First Amendment). It is unwise for Christians to rise against that in protest. They mistakenly assume that, if the amendment is abolished, the government would favor Christianity. But, adherents to other religions: Muslims, Bhuddists, Hindus, etc., would demand their rights to promote their beliefs.





What does the Bible say about where the Ten Commandments are to be placed?
"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel: After those days , says the Lord, I will put My law in their in their minds, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people." Christians are included.





Next on the list (not necessarily in order of importance) of hackle-raising complaints is the subject of prayer in school. I've heard that the downward spiral of morals in our country began, "when God ( i.e. prayer) was taken out of our schools." Prayer in school is not expressly forbidden by the constitution. Mandatory prayers provided by the school administration or teachers are forbidden because that is viewed by the courts as being contrary to the first amendment. Various groups of Catholics, Mormons, Baptists, people of other faiths and athiests have all objected to prayer in school.
Within limitations, students may pray aloud in school. Nothing can prevent them from praying silently. God cannot be taken out of the schools or anyplace else. He is omnipresent and soveriegn.