Prayer in School
I was reflecting today on the sermon that our pastor gave yesterday and she mentioned off the cuff her thoughts on prayer in schools. Her leaning is that if the government were to allow Christians to have a set aside time to pray in schools, then that opens the door for any other religion to be afforded the same opportunity. She would prefer that her children not necessarily be subjected to potentially some forms or displays of prayer that contradict what her family believes and would like to keep that internal to her home. I initially thought that was an approach I had not contemplated and I might proscribe to the same contentions.
However, as I spent time in Kansas City today, I felt that I couldn't agree with that position. I think that as Christians, we have to fight for our rights to worship. If that my means other religions do the same, then I'm in favor of that also. Jesus never shied away from other religious or social pressures. Instead, he laid it all out on the table and said here are the differences, choose which faith you will follow, and do so vigorously. Just understand that there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Me. He was confident in Himself and the teachings he brought to the world that they would stand the test of time until His triumphant return. I am not saying that our pastor is wrong. I believe that we each carry the torch of Christ different ways.
I approach my job the same way. I am confident enough in the clinical trials and studies that my company has conducted, and believe that they will convince the physicians that the medicines I bring to them provide the optimal therapy for the respective disease states. I have never asked for a doctor to use my products. I lay it out there and am confident they will be compelled to prescribe my products. That is contrary to what any pharmaceutical company asks their reps to do, but I have gained a lot of respect from my doctors that way.
It is tough to stand up and proclaim we are Christians today without someone wanting to challenge your beliefs about abortion, homosexuality, prayer in schools, etc. When we fail to step up boldly and twist scripture to fit our own beliefs, we are like Peter denying Christ. My children should be afforded the opportunity to pray in school. It is my job as a parent to help them understand that not all people share those beliefs, but to be confident in your own. God called us to rely on Him and to take Him into the world, just not succomb to the worldly pressures. It may be difficult and often socially unpopular, but I would rather have God say thank you for carrying my light into the world.
May God help me to venture into the world each day boldly, loving others for their differences, but strong and proud enough to withstand the pressure of society to conform.
posted by bfuller @ 7:48 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
The pluralistic society in which we exist offers great possiblities for us to be in dialogue with other world religions. To me it's not a big hinderance. I am guessing that Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddist prayers will be active praying in schools whether the government allows it or not. I would expect, or hope, that all are willing to step up and defend their faith if challenged.
A bit off of the subject, but I have a continuing interest in this..."there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Me." The word that begs my attention is "way." Is that a physical "way," or a spiritual "way"? Is the way to God ONLY provided through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?
What about the covenant with the Jewish folks??? Does it suddenly go away when the new covenant comes flying in?? What sort of covenant exists for Ishmael's line??
Great question, oh seminarian. Josh and I actually touched on this topic a bit in our class with the high school juniors tonight. We discussed that most of the major world religions branched off the tribes of Abraham and the initial foundations of them are all the same. Even the Koran tells many of the OT stories we grew up on.
God made several covenants with His people during the OT:not to flood the earth again, to lead the Jewish out of Egypt(even though it took 40 years), and His covenant with the Jewish people being the chosen ones. I do believe, however, that the entire OT forebodes the Savior coming and that "all things become new." I don't believe that Jesus ever was quoted as saying,"I am the way, the truth and the life and no one gets to the Father but through me, except the Jews that God used to have a convenant with, or the Muslims who are truly just seeking God in their own way, or the LDS who were products of their genealogy." He laid it out there for all to come. What do you think of Ishmael's line?
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