Another Example of Christian Persecution
Check out this article I read this morning:
Pulling of 'Prayer' Posters in Classroom
Results in 1st Amendment Lawsuit
Jim Brown, AgapePress
A public high school in
Virginia is being sued for removing prayer-themed posters from a Christian teacher's classroom wall while he was out sick for several days last fall. A poster promoting the National Day of Prayer and depicting George Washington praying at Valley Forge, and a picture of President George W. Bush praying were among the items school officials confiscated from Spanish teacher William Lee's classroom at Tabb High School in Yorktown.
Even a small cross in a display about a former student was cut out with scissors and thrown away by the school while Lee was out. Lee's attorney, John Whitehead with The Rutherford Institute, says York County school officials wrongly claim the prayer posters violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. "The problem with most school officials is they forget that there are other rights that are in the Bill of Rights that counterbalance the so-called separation of church and state," the attorney says, "and that's our rights to free speech, freedom of religion, [and] to be treated equally under the law." Lee had also put up posters of the Peruvian Inca sun god festival and Mayan creature gods -- things often discussed in his Spanish class. However, those religious items were not removed. Whitehead has filed the lawsuit in the eastern district of Virginia on behalf of Lee.
This is another example of the double standard that exists in our country in regard to the activities of believers in society. Any other group can propagate its message no matter how nonsensical or vulgar. But if Christians speak about their faith outside the church walls or, God forbid, publicly express their faith; they are remonstrated for being extremist or divisive.
Are we not called to take the Gospel of Christ to a world dying in sin? Of course we are! It was Jesus who said:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
Salt was a preservative in the world of Jesus time. It was also a condiment for food preparation. As "the salt of the earth" we are to be a preserving influence in society preventing decay. We are also to "flavor" our relationships with the grace of God and make men and women "thirsty" for Jesus.
A light in the room dispels darkness and allows us to move freely about without stumbling over items of furniture. As "the light of the world" Christians are to dispel the "darkness" of sin and bondage and shine light on the pathway to freedom and life through Jesus.
Earlier in the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus warned about persecution that would come as a result of living for Him. But along with the warning, He also gave a promise:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
So, don't loose heart in times of persecution, my friends. Instead rejoice that our glorious Lord and Savior has made us worthy to suffer with Him and later enjoy the riches of heaven with Him.
