Let's rewind to June 2005, when I was a correspondent for a major Christian radio program. Here is a Jot I wrote when George W. Bush was President..."Christianity is under attack in American politics and if the Church, God's people, do not wake up and take action, this nation may be turned over to judgment. I see very dangerous trends that impact our nation and our faith. There is a group of people who are out to gain power, and in doing so, have absolutely no reservation about destroying whatever is in their way to gain that power. They will use anyone or anything that they believe will help them and they will eliminate anyone or anything that will hinder them.
"Last week, the House of Representatives was considering the Defense Appropriations bill. Wisconsin Democrat David Obey wanted an amendment to reflect the opposition of Congress against religious evangelism at the Air Force Academy. Indiana Congressman John Hostetler was offended and said that Democrats will take any opportunity they can to demonize Christians. Democrats immediately leapt to their feet and demanded Hostetler be censored for his accusation. Hostetler said later, "If you tell Christians they can't tell others about their faith, then they can't exercise their Christian religion." He said proselytizing involves a forced conversion to Christianity, something that did not occur at the academy.
"In the weeks leading up to this minor explosion on the House floor, Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean mocked the Republican Party by saying it was comprised of "white Christians." New York Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton said at a fundraiser that the Republican approach to politics was...messianic...meaning that, in her words, "Some honestly believe they are motivated by the truth, they are motivated by a higher calling, they are motivated by, I guess, a direct line to the heavens." The legislation introduced by both sides is also telltale. Typically, Democrats are busy with bills such as the Unification of American Families Act, a pro-homosexual bill, while Republicans are trying to stop child molesters.
"Republicans are not the "be all end all" for Christianity by any account, but distinct battle lines are drawn and fought each day. Christians have been given eight years under a Christian-friendly president to turn hearts toward God, yet the church appears to take this as a respite rather than as a time of labor. This is not a time to be angry at misguided politicians in either party. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." It is a time to act." Back to today. How have things changed? Or have they? Certainly, the rhetoric has heightened, but the more the years go by, the worse the same problems become.
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