This afternoon, after returning home from work, I found the January 2009 issue of Christianity Today on the table and decide to flip through it. I skimmed through “Top News Stories of 2008″ on page 12. The article ended with the following:
10. Texas authorities raid FLDS ranch. While Christians were stunned at the stories of child marriage, polygamy, and abuse, some Christian legal experts and others said the cast raised long-lasting questions about balancing the need to protect children with religious freedom.
I was momentarily stunned and had to re-read this paragraph for clarification. I could not believe that there are people claiming to be Christians, who would turn a blind eye to the sexual and physical abuse of children on the vague possibility that, sometime in the future, their own religious freedoms might be infringed upon.
To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus Christ, who Himself warned: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) The Scriptures also say: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14) Part of loving our neighbors is looking out for the well-being of others, including children. Yet there seems to be a growing complacency in Christendom, a “live and let live” mentality that is contrary to the basic foundations of our faith.
We should always respect the different belief of others, but when those beliefs pose an imminent threat of harm… such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, murder, etc. …we should stand firm on what is Right. Galatians 4:19-21 continues with a warning: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Is it possible that religious freedoms, even here in the United States, could eventually be limited or evoked? Yes, it is. The prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation both warn of religious persecution in the end of times. However, we should not let a fear of tomorrow keep us from doing what is morally right today. James 4:17 is very clear: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Found this article interesting? Check out Fearing Persecution.
