Do What You Want

post 089

One significant topic of argument that always seems to come up with those Americans resistant to Christianity is the idea that Christianity tries to force its view on everyone else. This could not be further from the truth.
But the argument is quite valid in that most American Christians are also confused about this concept.

I have gone to great lengths in previous posts to show that by far the majority of our founders were Christian, and intentionally created a nation based on Christian values found in the Bible.
But the legitimate opposing argument shows that they also intentionally kept Christianity from being legislated to the people by our laws. To them this means we were not created as a Christian nation.
This has created confusion among both Christian and non-Christian Americans only in the last few generations. The confusion is a result of ignorance, and that ignorance is the reason why both views are apparently championed by the 1st Article of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abidging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

So today I attempt to shed some light on this issue and what it means both nationally and personally.

1. By documented evidence throughout my blog I have shown that our founders were at least extremely learned in the doctrine of Christianity though an education of the Scriptures.

2. Therefore we can safely conclude that they understood the Principles of Christianity. *1

3. From cover to cover the New Testament is the story of Jesus as the Messiah, which is the core value of Christianity.

4. Nowhere, not one time, does the teaching of Jesus suggest anyone, anywhere, at any time be forced to follow the values or doctrine or teaching of Christianity.

5. Yet Jesus does teach the natural principle of cause and effect, or consequences for actions. And the scriptures are quite clear at explaining the cost of neglecting these principles, both personally, and nationally. *2

6. Understanding this concept, and having seen the proof of this in history *3 as well as in action, *4 our founders created a nation, which at the very least allowed for the free exercise, (first amendment) and encouraged the instruction and practice of these principles. *5

7. Our founders followed the example and teaching of Jesus by ensuring that the government could not, and would not force any religion on the people, including Christianity, while at the same time ensuring the government could not restrict the practice and influence of the same. This is the point of the First Amendment.

8. But having insured that, there are substantial proofs that they never intended restraint for the values of the people from influencing government. In fact they expected it. and went so far as to warn that for this nation to prosper, the people must continue the Christian influence on the government. *6

9. The entire concept in question is a matter of authority; Does the Government rule our lives? Or do the people rule the Government?

* * *

If the government is to rule the lives of its people, then Americans are obligated to obey the decisions of the government. If this is the case then most assuredly the first Amendment keeps Christianity out of the lives of the people;
• Congress makes laws we are to follow,
• Congress cannot make laws respecting a particular religion,
• Therefore the people are not allowed to practice religion because there is no law written allowing it.

But if the government is to be ruled by the people, then the religion-less laws written will reflect the values of the people. If the people are Christian then the laws will reflect Christian values. If the people are Pagan the laws will reflect Pagan values.

It is quite clear, that our government has always been of the second variety; ruled by the people as evidenced by the laws written showing the reflective changes from Christian to Pagan values over time;
Less than one generation ago the word “pregnant” was not permitted on broadcast TV, and married couples were shown sleeping in separate beds, all because of lawful government regulation influenced by Christian values held by the authors of the regulations.
Today... well you get the idea.

Christians are not trying to legislate their views onto Americans, Yet agreeing with the founders, they can see that America is paying a very high price for violating the Principles of Christianity just as Jesus has warned. *7 And so Christians are begging for America to return to her previous values, not through legislation, but through individual reformation which will influence regulations because the regulators will be reformed men voted in by reformed citizens which have again become the majority of Americans.
Christians know that if you put men with Christian values back in government, the government would again be influenced by their values. But to put such men into government, the majority of the people must desire those values, and cast votes for these men.
This influence of values is not a State Church, though the results are laws based upon certain values perhaps held by some religions. If the Laws are primarily based upon Christian values, then the nation can be called Christian even though the government has no direct Christian connection.

So if you cannot directly legislate morality, how does a society reign in those with dishonorable values destructive to the community, yet not actually unlawful?
In the old days they shunned such a person.
There is no law, there is no demand to conform. That person is free to conduct their lives as they choose. But the people of that society, choosing a standard for their society, simply shun the individual, making their life uncomfortable to remain while maintaining unacceptable conduct.
That person has several choices; change behavior, remain shunned, or leave.
The individual is still completely free, but consequences are met.
The fear of such was quite a motivation to refrain from poor choices.
This refrain most often successfully resulted in the avoidance of nature’s consequences, which in principle were supposed to be worse than the action of being shunned.
Of course this too was abused and corrupted in time as all things are.
Today our Pagan values look on such action as disgusting and reprehensible, narrow minded and barbaric. That is because our values have changed. And with it, our standard of living. Today America’s values are proud to accept every evil imaginable under the pretence of Tolerance. *8 The only values we do not accept are the Christian ones. Today those with Christian values are shunned in circles where they are not wanted. The action is the same, only the values have changed.

This is how our government was designed.
It is working exactly as it was intended to work.
The values of the people governed, influence the government.
I have no problem with this design,
even though the governed are now primarily Pagan and therefore the government is now influenced primarily with Pagan values.
Yet apparently our present Administration still has a problem with our form of government;
They cry; “We need change.”
Why?
Because it is clear to all, that things here have gone very, very wrong.
But the Christians and their values are blamed!
Incredible!

Christ says in effect;
Live and do whatever you want. The choice is completely yours.
But know that the laws of nature cannot be broken, I know, I wrote them.
If you follow my suggested way of life, you will be blessed. If you reject my suggested way of life, you will be cursed and destroyed, Just as the law of gravity works; you can kick against it, or adapt to it. The choice is yours, and so are the consequences.
I am not doing this to you! It is the law of nature. I am simply trying to help you by showing it to you before you have to experience it!

In our great wisdom we understand the law of gravity. We even play around with experimentation to overcome it, but we never deny it. and we don’t hate God for it.
Yet we are still too slow minded to recognize most of these other principles Jesus has shown us, even though the consequences stare us right in the face!
This is because in our stubbornness we blame God for our troubles, just as a child in the store screaming; “You hate me!” when his mother will not buy him candy.
In his simple, stubborn, self-centered mind he cannot see the wisdom of the one who loves him.

Jesus is actually weeping over the condition of our ruined nation, just as he wept over Jerusalem 2000 years ago. *9 The reason is the same: The rejection of our Savior.

This entire concept works for America as it does for Israel, it works for the individual as it does for the nation, that’s because these are universal laws of nature.
We expect gravity to work here as it does there. This is a no brainer.
Unlike Allah, God has no desire to force you to do anything. It is not He who makes your life miserable for his own pride, it is the law of nature which you have violated. God simply uses the consequences to gently lead you back into the right way if you are willing. The more stubborn you get, the harsher the consequences, not because he is forcing you to bend to his will, but because you kick against the principles of nature. This too should be a no brainer.

God begs you not to do bad things.
But he gives you freedom to do whatever you want.
So men do bad things because they want.
And people complain that if there was a loving God, why did he let it happen?
He must.
Because if he didn’t let it happen, he would be a tyrant.
The choice is not God’s, it is ours.
And so are the consequences.
Which breaks God’s heart.

God loves you with all his heart.
If your life sucks,
Turn to him for answers, try following his suggestions.
You will be shocked at the results!
This is the Christian way.
This is all Christians want for America.
This is what our founders had in mind when they established this nation.


Recap:

God instructs us in successful principles.
We establish a government based on those principles.
We follow those principles and are blessed.
We get proud of our success and forget the principles.
We turn from those principles and are then ruined.
We blame God for our condition.
And so demand “change” from the original principles… which we failed to follow!

Show me again, where is the wisdom in this?

* * *

*1 http://when-did-reason-die.blogspot.com/2010/01/part-2-of-4-religion-in-government.html
Part 2. Our founders created our form of government based on values they intentionally got primarily from the Bible.

*2 Leviticus 26:1-13 the blessing of doing the right thing
Leviticus 26:14-39 the curses of doing the wrong thing
Joshuah 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Judges 2:10-15 “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of the spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.”
Etc. etc. etc.
*3 The Scriptures are an incredible documentation of history from God’s point of view. Our founders were keenly aware of God’s provision through obedience, and his wrath through disobedience as evidenced by many quotes such as this one:
“It is to be regretted, but so I believe the facts to be, that except the Bible there is not a true history in the world. Whatever may be the virtue, discernment, and industry of the writers, I am persuaded that truth and error (though in different degrees) will imperceptibly become and remain mixed and blended until they shall be separated forever by the great and last refining fire.” John Jay - First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - - to Jedidiah Morse, 28 Feb 1797 from the book "John Jay" by Walter Stahr

*4 The documented miracles during the time of our war of Independence resulted in the miraculous success and subsequent “appeal(ing) to the Supreme Judge of the world, for the rectitude of our intentions,” and “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence”. (Declaration of Independence) This was not a course taken by men of desperation supported by ancient records. These men had just seen a success of the impossible. Their God had shown them first hand that he was worthy of all confidence. -See Wallbuilders.com; “America’s Godly Heritage” and the fact of the existence of America.

*5 The Supreme Court of 1892:
The intent of the founding fathers and the 1st amendment was so sure that in 1892 the Supreme Court ruled in; the Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States
“No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people… This is a Christian nation.”
To give explanation for this finding they provided 87 different historical precedents that this was indeed a Christian nation. They quoted the founding fathers, the acts of the founding fathers, the acts of the Congresses, the acts of the State governments, and others. The Court noted they could quote many more but found 87 to be sufficient to establish clear precedents. - Source Wallbuilders.com

*6 http://when-did-reason-die.blogspot.com/2010/01/part-3-of-4-religion-in-government.html
Part 3. Our founders expected us to intentionally use religion to keep our government healthy.

http://when-did-reason-die.blogspot.com/2010/01/part-1-of-4-religion-in-government.html
Part 1. Our founding fathers were in deed religious, and believers in a responsibility to their Creator.

*7 Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
John 15:2 “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:”
John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches….”
John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

*8 While tolerance is a valuable and commendable attribute, it makes a lousy virtue as the following saying testifies:
“Tolerance is the Virtue of a man without conviction.” - Bill Gothard

*9 Luke 19:41-42 “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!...”