Dear editor.
I am writing this in response to an article in The Rockdale Reporter, published Aug. 15, 2024. The article in question as an editorial by David Currie a retired Baptist minister entitled, “Constitution.” In this article, there are some things that I do agree with. Such as Christian nationalism is growing in our country and it will be a detriment to both the nation and to Christianity. I am not a Christian nationalist. I am a Christian. I believe this world is not our home, and yet, while here, we need to reach out and share the saving gospel of Christ with the world. The Bible does not put America above any other nation. I love my country, I love Texas, but I know the Bible speaks of a kingdom where my eternal citizenship lies, and that this is the Kingdom of God.
The part of his article that I do disagree with is this statement: “As a retired Baptist minister, I assure you there is no war on Christianity in America. Christians are not in danger of being arrested for their belief, only for actions that coerce and harm others.”
To say there is no war on Christianity is to have your head buried in the sand. Again, I am no Christian nationalist, but I do see what is going on and do see that there is a war on Christianity. Christianpost. com published an article called “436 Acts of hostility against U.S. churches documented in 2023: report.” In this article, it says: Between January and November 2023, the FRC (Family Research Council) reported that at least 315 occurrences of vandalism, 75 arson attacks or attempts, 10 gun-related incidents, 20 bomb threats and 37 other incidents took place at churches. According to the report, 17 of the incidents fell into more than one category, with vandalism and arson being the most common combination.”
In October 2022, 11 prolife protesters who were peacefully protesting outside an abortion clinic were arrested and charged by the Department of Justice.
Just take a look at how much people who disagree with our faith treat us. One of Rockdale’s own is now a public figure who has spoken with Presidents and Governors and many high in our government about Pro-Life causes; now has to have bodyguards because of the death threats that have come against her and her family. Yet there is no war on Christianity? Really?
We can disagree and still have love and compassion for those with whom we disagree. Our faith compels us to share the message of the gospel that God has a better plan for you. That he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay your sin debt, that he rose again from the grave giving us a great hope. We know that if one will call out to Jesus believing him to be Lord of their life, and that God raised him from the dead, that one will be saved. This message we must share. We must call sin what it is, sin, an offence to God. We must do it in love, but we still must do it.
The freedom we enjoy because of the Constitution of this great nation is that we can practice our faith without fear of our government or anyone else. Yet more and more in our society, if you do not agree with what another believes, you are the bigot; you are the pariah. That is not what it is supposed to be. We are allowed to speak up about things we see as wrong; the Constitution allows us to do so. Yet if you are a Christian, we are no longer afforded these things; at least, that is what we are seeing and experiencing in our own nation.
Many who have been picked by Presidents to fill high offices, have been asked about their religion as if that is a disqualifier to enter that office, yet our Constitution says that is not supposed to happen. But it does.
No, I am not a Christian Nationalist, but I am a Christian, and I do see the war waging around us, against us. I have seen it as a Youth Pastor several years ago, I have seen in my years as Pastor, and I have experienced it in my own family. Christian students, yes here in Milam County, are treated with contempt by their peers. I have heard story after story.
There is a culture war against Christianity. But let me share this hope to my fellow believers. The Bible tells us this is going to happen, and it will only get worse before our Lord returns. We take comfort in knowing that God is the one in control, and one day Jesus will return and call us home. That I long for. “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Pastor Stephen Ammons Meadowbrook Baptist Church pastorsteve@meadowbrookrockdale. org
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