Are we a Christian nation?

A good while ago our current president caused quite a ripple when he made the statement that America is not a Christian nation. Oh, how the conservatives shouted and decried, citing our historical heritage, the churches that thrive today, the fact most people say they are religious. Some folks are still spitting that sound bite out.

But...he is right.

Wait, wait, put the pitch forks down and listen for a moment.

I want you to think about what is on prime time television every night, what movies are box office successes, what books sell well.....hmm...getting a little uncomfortable?

I had a pastor growing up, who was/and still is, I'm sure, very wise. When I asked him as a young pre-teen what was acceptable for a Christian to watch on tv, or in a movie...he answered me this: "Beth, as a Christian, Jesus walks next to you every minute of everyday...whatever you do in life, ask yourself, is it okay to do this in front of Jesus? Would you be embarrassed to watch this movie with Jesus next to you? Would you be uncomfortable to listen to this song with Jesus there? If you are comfortable, you're okay, if not...you're not." Later on my Dad compounded on this by saying I'd be in good shape if whatever I watched/read/listened to I'd be okay doing so with my parents there.

Those are two powerful guidelines for me. And I can say that they still guide my choices and that though I will have much to talk to God about on the day of Accounting* I don't think my viewing habits will be of great importance.

This country claims to have a vast amount of religious people, according to a study I read today over 87% of people in America claim a faith. 76 to 79% claim Christianity.

That's a whole lotta people.

A controlling majority, if it wanted to be so, if it were serious about it's faith.

But you see....those numbers MUST be false...people must be telling falsehoods to the survey takers.

For if we were a nation that were that religious, with Christians, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists (the 4 largest groups) taking their faith seriously...the following would happen:

~Television would focus on showing wholesome programs, television shows glorifying adultery, murder, cheating, the mob, etc....would not have a market in which to thrive, and would not, therefore be created.

~Music lyrics would be a whole lot cleaner. Sure, there would be underground rock/rap, etc with the violent lyrics, the cursing, the degradation of women, but it wouldn't be mainstream. And when these musicians came to perform, their dancers would not dance as they do now.

~Romance writers like Danielle Steel would be out of business, and adult magazines would be sold in paper bags to a small minority, not on the main racks of Borders.

~There would be almost no lawsuits, for the Bible tells you not to sue another believer, but to work it out.

~There would be no, or very little hunger in our country, for all four of the biggest faiths teach us to feed the poor and have compassion on the needy.

~Alcohol sales would plummet, drugs would part of a very small counter culture.

The list goes on and on. You get the idea.

Now, before some of my other friends panic and start telling me about how bad a religious nation could be, let me say this.....I am talking about if people truly lived the Christian faith (for the 70 some odd percent that claim to be such).....

If we did as Jesus taught: to love our neighbor as ourselves, to want the best for all those around us, to not judge but to help and care for, to help to heal, to feed, to clothe, to be meek and gentle.

I know...it doesn't sound a lot like the majority of Christians in this country. That's because the majority of people who claim to follow Christ in the United States are Pharisees. Legalistic, judgemental, holier than thou, lofty...and often just pains in the arse. They care not for the poor guy on the corner, they pretend they don't see them. They want the AIDS clinic shut down because it doesn't affect them and they don't want their tax dollars going to it. You know what Jesus would do with an AIDS clinic...(if He didn't just go in and heal everyone there)...He would volunteer. Jesus would help the guy on the street corner, not treat him like dirt. Jesus might not like your musical tastes, but He loves you, and would find a way to relate to you.

The only people in the Bible that I recall Jesus having disdain for are those who thought they were so good they didn't need Him- people like the Pharisees. And I don't imagine He looks down at our nation today and is impressed.

We have churches that want to tell you what to eat (no meat, no this, no that) or tell you not to dance, or to wear special underwear or to only talk to certain people. Legalistic anyone? And then we have Churches (often some of the same ones) who distort the Bible....who tell you it's corrupt or only partially inspired, that you need to follow this part but leave out that part.

In answer to that I say this: Jesus said that the Bible is the Inspired Word of God, all of it true. (Period, no if ands or buts.) If you don't believe Jesus on this, then you are saying He is a liar. And if He is a liar, then how can He be the Son of God? And if He is not the Son of God, then His death on the cross meant nothing, and He did not rise, and you are dead in your sins and have no hope for eternity. Make up your mind...follow the Bible or not, but make a choice. You cannot sit on the fence forever....someday you will die and you will face judgement. We all will. And if you are not for Jesus, you are against Him.

Then you get the Churches that want to add on new books (when Jesus in Revelations tells us NOT to do that) or make up new levels of myth and story which contradict the Bible....and those
"churches" are leading people to hell.

Our nation is caught up in apostasy. Legalistic churches, churches that are so liberal they've water the Bible down to nothing but a 30 second feel good commercial (hey, you're good, I'm good, God loves everyone and we're all okay!), churches that spread false teachings based on false "prophets" and false doctrine. (BTW....if your church teaches that they know when Christ is coming back again..GET OUT. No man knows the hour but only the Father, and they are just leading you down the wrong path.) If your church teaches you to despise people, get out, Jesus told you to love. If your church teaches they have "secret" revelations from God, get out...Jesus said the Holy Bible is complete in itself and to neither remove or add to it.

There are true Christians in this country...your find them taking soup to their sick neighbors, reaching out in rough communities, working with the youth, taking care of the planet that God entrusted to us, nurturing families, loving those they meet. There just aren't enough of them, they are over shadowed by the Pharisees and the feel goods and the cults masquerading as Christians. There is a reason God says there will only be a remnant...because that's all there is. That's all there has been throughout the history of the church....through most of history the church has been hijacked and men have done terrible things in the name of faith, things Jesus would never condone, things that will have to be paid for.

But because there is only a remnant, worldliness runs rampant in our country, bigotry runs rampant, hate and judgement run rampant, lies run rampant, the glorification of sin is the norm.

We are not a Christian nation. If we were, so much would improve.





*Day of Accounting- even though christians who truly believe (and their belief is seen in their fruit and actions) are saved...there still will be a day of accounting before God for our actions and how we used the time, talents and possessions He gave us for His use.