Weekly Pastor Note

Word of the Week

Freedom of Religion or Freedom of Worship?

'And the Chief Captain answered, with a great sum obtained I this freedom, and Paul said, But I was freeborn.' Acts 22:28

President John Adams stated, 'But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost, is lost forever.'

Most of my adult life I have been concerned about the slow but sure loss of the 'religious freedoms' that define America. I have repeatedly told my church, 'the same religious freedoms that give us the freedom to worship as we do, give the Muslims, the Jews, the Buddhists, etc. the right to worship as seems right to them.' As Americans and most importantly as Christians we must continue to pray and fight for our religious freedoms. If not the day will come when someone will stop you at the door of the church and deny you the freedom to enter.

In the past several years, I have noticed a subtle, but alarming acceleration of this loss of religious freedom. It seems with every new generation comes a different interpretation of what constitutes religious freedom. Further, today, it seems also with every new Presidential Administration comes a different interpretation of what constitutes religious freedom.

On my birthday in November the world was shocked to learn of 13 American soldiers killed by a Muslim doctor at Fort Hood. I like millions of Americans watched the news accounts in horror. Later we watched the memorial service in honor of those who lost their lives. I often refer to the fact I was raised in a military family to lend my perspective to our freedoms. Our military die to protect our freedoms, while some public officials would give them away.

I noticed at the time our President stated in America no one has the right to deny us the ‘freedom to worship’. I thought, ‘finally after canceling National Prayer Day because he did not want to offend anyone, he comes down on the side of religious freedom.’

I was also encouraged to hear the Secretary of State use the same phrase in her speeches, as well as, other members of the President’s cabinet. It was at this point, however, that I realized it was just more ‘political posturing’.

You see, there is a significant difference in the ‘freedom of religion’ recorded in our Constitution and the freedom of worship cited by Administration officials.

I read one journalist’s opinion that freedom of worship confirms the worshipper to have complete freedom to worship as he or she chooses within their respective churches.

But, what about my freedom to speak out about my religion to my elected officials, what about my freedom to witness to my neighbors, what about my freedom to go door to door in the neighborhood of my church inviting people to attend our services, or what about my freedom to worship, if I choose, by holding a Revival in a public park?

I have read what the UN’s 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance states and it uses the same language. Article 18 protects the, ‘teaching, practice, worship and observance’, but omits referring to any of these vital elements of worship in public.

Article 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms allows evangelism, which is public, to be banned to protect ‘public order’.

More and more our government seems to be leaning toward the ‘world view’ of religious freedoms. I think they need to restudy our history. Our Founding Fathers to include President John Adams intended for freedom of religion to be free, not restricted. Yes, free to ‘all’ religions. Having said, that I do agree with the need for law enforcement to step in when radicalism threatens the safety and welfare of the people and property. We must obey the law!

And this is what our government is counting on as they slowing remove our religions freedoms. Christians need to pay attention to what is going on today within the ‘hallowed halls’ of Congress and Senate and especially the White House when it comes to religious freedoms.

Words are crucial in defining these freedoms. If I have the choice to choose between being given religious freedom as defined by our Constitution and the freedom of worship as defined by our government I will fight for our Constitution. How about you?

Pastor Don Smith

Prayer...Dear Heavenly Father I pray today for our country, for its leaders, especially our President! Help us recognize when elements of our government attempt to take away our religious freedoms and give us the wisdom to know how to fight such attempts.

In the Name of CHRIST, Amen!