Religion & Politics

It is a commonly repeated phrase, "Two things I never discuss: religion and politics." I was thinking about this the other day, and wondering, is this a 'new' or modern viewpoint or has it always been customary to avoid these topics in public conversation? Being a sociologist by both trade and hobby, I had to examine this phenomenon. Turns out, discussion of religion and politics is a fairly new faux pas. Ah, yes, what was I thinking? Political correctness! Whereas it used to be customary for people to share different positions on God and the State, now it is inappropriate and untactful in nearly every setting.

Ancient civilizations all over the globe considered debate essential to the human condition. Education in logic (not mathematical logic, but critical thinking in a broader sense) began in late primary years, and was followed by extensive education in the grammar of Rhetoric, what some would call speech or debate today. Great minds would meet in the public square and reason their ideas for hours. Theologians would gather in the temple and reason from the scriptures for days. Philosophers would wonder from town to town teaching in the streets their ideas, asking peoples to consider new thoughts and ideas, and what shaped them.

This begs the question, how does one ever get to fully develop a viewpoint if they are never to hear any differing ones? I do know some exceptional humans who make a point of exploring various spiritual and political perspectives, but in all honesty, they are a rare exception. Most of us gather our opinions and life view from our parents. As we grow, school becomes our largest influence, and we may garner some additional ideas from our friends. While employers may have some influence, college probably has the largest and most powerful impact on our perspective. Certainly this was my experience. And it is disconcerting for me, as colleges in America are the most liberal institutions in the world. Even the reading has been dumbed down, modified to avoid offending certain peoples, scrubbed of ideas that go against the single-minded viewpoint of the establishment. The professors are unabashed about their intolerance of the traditional, conservative foundations upon which this nation was laid. I was young enough in college that I simply accepted their point of view as fact, and rarely thought more about it. Later, as I matured, I began to hear about and learn other ideas.

My fear as I observe our cultural changes is that my children won't have any opportunity to enter into a debate of ideas because it is no longer acceptable to debate. And since our culture is quickly moving away from any concept of God or faith, the only viewpoint left will be man's viewpoint. Given enough time, the 'polite' method of avoiding politics and religion in any discussion will ensure that not one more human being will get to hear about Jesus Christ and the gift He gave the world with His death. Additionally, anyone who would like to learn about our country's grand heritage of say, The Constitution, would likely be called a dinosaur or an intolerant for straying from the popular viewpoint.

Hmmmm. I want to be optimistic about our future. I would prefer to rejoice in considering the countless joys awaiting the next generation. As I teach my children and prepare them for the Great Conversation, I wonder, "Is that conversation over?" As I watch our economy crumble, our moral fiber disintegrate, and our characters weaken, I cannot help but speculate. The Law of Entropy, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, simply stated, is that things become more disordered over time, unless acted upon by another, more powerful force. We have become passive participants in our political and religious life. Therefore, if nothing is done, chaos is inevitable.

So the next time you see me at a social gathering, don't be surprised if I say, "You'd like to discuss politics and religion? Why of course!"

Who created the universe?

Lately, because I am actively educating my children, the science of creation versus evolution comes up frequently. In looking at online reviews of books and documentaries, I am amazed at how incredibly offended people are by the idea that GOD might have done this whole thing! I used to get bent out of shape and try to 'show' people the other side of things, but I have come to realize some important facts in this debate.

For one, you can't discuss matters of faith with someone who has no faith, or rather, has placed their faith in the wisdom of men. I find it absurd that people find it easier to believe that the universe created itself from nothing rather than believing that God did it. Is the idea of a God really that great of an offense? Really? For some, it is. And they find it absurd that I would place my faith in God, or rather the Word of God. I have chosen to believe, by faith, that God created the universe and that same God, having the ability to create the Universe, also has the ability to preserve His words in a book on which I depend.

There is much science to support intelligent design, but again, people believe what they want to believe. It is a matter of faith. Have you placed your faith in the Word of God, or in the Word of Men? Its really that simple. I was educated by government school evolutionists. Late in life, as I was exposed to creation science, I found it rather easy to compare the science and choose creationism, hands down, even coming in with the bias of having believed in evolution as truth in fact from my youth.

I was educated in the same system that essentially has blacklisted creationist viewpoint and so creation was never offered to me as an option. Today I feel that if a belief system cannot hold up to an opposing viewpoint, then it must not be particularly strong. And evolution, like creationism, is a viewpoint, because it cannot be scientifically removed from 'theory' status. Again, one is man's viewpoint, and the other is God's viewpoint. As I educate my children, I am not afraid to show them the viewpoints of the 'other' side because I have confidence that truth always prevails. We watch a lot of Discovery channel, Science channel or National Geographic, and all of it teaches evolution. My children have often noticed the leaping assumptions evolutionists make when presenting their observations.

Just like Darwin when he brought his finches back from the Galapagos Islands, showing how their 'changing' beaks were evidence of evolution. Today the scientists observe that the finches have different beaks every year, depending on the weather. Sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner. Darwin was not there long enough to collect sufficient data to be accurate. Yet scientists cling to his assumptions formed with incomplete data because that is what they WANT to believe.

Now as I study more, I see the real issue. Scripture explains it best: their eyes won't see and their foolish hearts are darkened. The God of the Bible, Jesus Christ, is where I have chosen to place my faith. I am told that He will make the wise into fools and the foolish wise. For this reason, I feel less inclined to debate creation versus evolution, because I figure He can set things straight better than I ever could. I am kinda looking forward to that day.

Grace and Peace.

Finding myself content in all things

It has been a very busy year. It has been a year of weeping and a year of healing. Not just emotionally, but physically. After a long health struggle, the worst seems to be behind me. I sure hope so! I have been blessed by a team of doctors that has been willing to work with me and get this under control naturally. And I feel terrific! Add to that the fact that I have met some amazing homeschooling Moms this past year, and life couldn't be better. I am inspired by them! Most of them have very large families, and here I am with just my two. How can I complain? I have learned much and I have a renewed interest in really doing this right. When people ask me why I home school, well I have a long list of reasons, but the real purpose is simple, and thus my new mission statement: God gave the job of rearing Godly children to me and my husband, not to the state or any other institution. I am raising them to be the people God wants them to be: ambassadors for Christ. I am building two tabernacles. I may not see the fruit of my work in my lifetime, but daily I build, with careful attention to every detail, because although I may not see the results, and others may not see my efforts, God does. For this, I am thankful.