I have recently been asked some questions, and as I got to thinking about them, I’ve made a decision to answer them through a blog. I’m hearing a lot of, America claims Christianity, so why is it that they are in much worse shape then secular countries? As I was beginning to wonder myself, I got to thinking what is it that Christianity stands for? And what is it America stands for? As I read the question again it hit me, Christianity isn’t a claim, Christianity is a faith, a trust, a belief, Christianity is a way of life. To be a Christian, you believe God died on a cross for your sins, you repent of your sins asking for forgiveness, you have faith our only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ our savior. But that’s just the first step of being a Christian; you see being a Christian is a lifestyle, to be a Christian is to put God in full control of your entire life, to know everything is in His way and in His time. God gave us the Bible, which is better known as life’s manual for Christians, it tells you the Christian way to be, when handling a situation, what things are of the world, the way Christians should think, act, feel, everything, all the above is what goes into being a Christian. For example, and the people that know me best will laugh at the truth behind this, but I claim to be a basketball player. For what team you might be asking, well I don’t have one, when do you practice, I don’t, what times your game I want to come and watch, I don’t have games, other then the pickup games at my usual court. So how is it that I claim to be a basketball player, because I like the sport, but that doesn’t necessarily make me a basketball player now does it. You see that’s the problem with America, all we do is claim Christianity, but we are to self absorbed to actually be a Christian. So why is it, that same American that claimed to be a Christian, is on the corner selling drugs, or at the bar drinking beer, or on Wednesday night, Sunday morning and night instead of church, they choose work, and why do people work? For money. Now I know it takes money to live, and some of the below mentioned statements if you’ve read my comments on blogs will be redundant. But let’s not fall off the subject, so this same nation that claims Christianity, takes God out of schools, our churches are bare to say the least, and most have taken God out of their homes. But let’s look at the facts, prayer was taken out of schools in 1962, now I wish I could find a more updated site, but I’m sure this will prove my point. Since 1962 sexually transmitted diseases amongst teens jumped from 400, in 1962 to over 1200, by 1990. Pregnancies of unwed girls below the age of 15, at 1962 was 2,250 by 1990 it had increased to 26,000 under the age of 15, and if you look at the graphs only 1000 of them were live births, the others abortions. Pre-marital sex amongst teens at the age of 17, in 1962, 14 percent of teens in America and as of 1987, 51 percent, I’m sure that number is quite a bit higher these days. And you are more then welcome to see the graphs for yourself at http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/when-prayer-was-taken-out-of-school/. Now, they say we claim Christianity, but to anyone with common sense it’s evident what we claim is self pleasures. Anything and Everything that pleases the flesh, sex, drugs, alcohol, free will, and money. Which is my next topic.
The God America trust is money, don’t believe me, look at a bill, any bill, 1,5,10,20,50,100, or any piece of change, what’s it say on it, in GOD we trust, better known as in money we trust. Just think about it, why do people sell drugs? Money. Why do people steal? Because they want things and don’t have the money. Why do people do drugs? Because they aren’t satisfied with life, now ask them what would make life easier? Again money. You ever ask yourself why is it American children grow to be so rebellious these days, lack of leadership, they raise themselves, and why? Because mom and dad have two jobs a piece and are never home. But they could live very comfortably enough with their one job. But they would rather have a 60,000 dollar vehicle then a 30,000 dollar one, they would rather have a big screen TV, boats, expensive clothes, and leave their kids to raise their selves. What is it exactly they are teaching their kid by doing this, to worship the almighty dollar, that’s what it’s about isn’t it? So, does America claim Christianity? Yes. But I’m not to sure Christianity claims America. You know I wish we could go back to the times when America did in fact stand for Christianity, we are falling into more evil and worldly desires everyday, and God is the only one who can bring us from this. So if you claim to be a Christian, is that as far as it goes, are you just a claimer? Or do you live for God, do you try and be a testimony for Him through everyone you come across, I know I do. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect, I’m very far from it, everyone is, but I desire to be. I’m so thankful for the work God does in my life, and the places He has brought me from, and He can bring America back from the hole we’ve crawled into, but you have to have the desire. You have to put God first in your life, and if enough Christians do that, He will be first in America. Again thank you for your time and your comments are appreciated.
But hasn’t america always worshipped the dollar? Didn’t everyone come to america because the streets were paved with gold? This is far far further back than 1962.
2ndly it has NEVER, EVER since your country first laid down the constitution EVER, EVER ALLOWED “A PARTICULAR RELIGION” do be endorsed by schools. Because they are government controlled. An Englishman should not have to tell an american how his country’s fundamental laws work.
Ok, and still PARAGRAPHS SHAUN…USE PARAGRAPHS. BLOCK TEXT IS NOT FUN TO READ.
-Since 1962 sexually transmitted diseases amongst teens jumped from 400, in 1962 to over 1200, by 1990-
So 38 years. increase of 800? That really isnt much per year. Especially when you take into account free love of the 60′s and 70′s.
And where were these pregnancies outside of marriage highest? Were they perhaps in the highest rated christian areas perhaps???? teaching the oh so successful “abstinence only” technique?
There are many reasons why your country is in poor shape, a belief in god has little to do with it. A belief in god will not solve it. Prayer will not solve it. It will only mask the true problems for which there are NO easy answers.
Actually Richard I have to agree on my paragraphs, but I have to disagree with your reasoning for why people came to America. People came to America because were a free country. Now has America always been about money, I’d say yes, but there was a time, and I can just about guarantee any elderly person you ask will agree with me. While we were about money, it didn’t come before God. It used to be, a vast majority of Americans long ago, would sit down as a family and pray before every meal, and again before they went to sleep. The majority of American and I’m not saying all, but the majority would again as a family, sit down and do a bible reading (devotion) nightly. I’m not saying America hasn’t always had problems we have, but there was a time when America atleast did more then just realize the existence of God.
also, I wasn’t saying that schools claimed a certain religion, what I was saying, there was a time when schools didn’t deny Gods existence, big difference.
So Shaun
Why do 70% of evangelicals get divorced? Is that the atheists fault too?
There are no statistics that support your thesis at all.
Chris, your not feeling guilty are you, I mean I never once mentioned the word atheist, in fact my whole blog was about Christians. And no statistics you must not have checked out the site I clearly posted, or even read the blog for that fact.
Good post. I enjoyed it. It’s always refreshing to hear ‘truth.’ And you are right, many Americans call themselves Christians…high percentage I read somewhere…but the
‘fruits’ haven’t come forth. But, since Eden…that has been the situation. “Few’ will find the ‘straight’ way. My joy and hope abounds…as if every person in the world is saved…because of FAITH and TRUST that God for His will to be done…He can open so no man can close. He can close so no man can open. The battle is His. He is my rock, my shield, and my deliverer…my fortress and my strength. I have PEACE in the face of a degenerate society. They are the great harvest needed gathered. That is my focus. I love and serve those I encounter in my daily life. I don’t ‘stress’ over the bad. I rejoice for the good.
By-the-way…I’m a retired school teacher of eighteen years, the ‘prayer in school’ thing has two sides. We hear a lot of ‘rhetoric’ from politicians concerning the degenerate public schools. But truth is…very little changed in the school setting when these changes came. All the years I was a student and all the years I taught…I never saw anyone with hands folded in prayer…and most all were church goers..professing Christians. They ‘lived’ the prayer. Prayer is the sincere desire of the heart…and from the heart…the mouth speaketh. Whether I am allowed to speak aloud the desires of my heart (prayer) or whether I do them silently..in my closet…or continually from the desires of my heart….my actions will represent those inward desires. And that what I saw from the majority of students and teachers both when prayer was allowed..and when prayer was disallowed. As a result, only the ‘problems’ are what we heard on the news. We never hear the many, many Christian acts and statements coming forth from the true believers. As you said, it’s a ‘lifestyle’..and cannot be hidden. In class the believer has lots of freedom. Bible history can be taught. Studends can sing, essay, and so forth…things relating to their belief systems. One of the many state standards for high schoolers in the area of civics is that man’s laws are based in moral law….and we all know ‘moral’ law refers basically to the Ten Commandments. Concerning prayer in schools…I told a parent at one point, “I do not take responsibility for your child’s spiritual health. That responsibility lies with you, the family, and with your church. Point being…ANYONE who wants to pray…..CAN. It comes from the heart up to God. No one can stop that. The problems with all the stats you mentioned…and you are right…they are mindboggling……are direct results of degeneration of the family, parents as role models, and pastors and churches who ‘blend’ with the world. Many parents are struggling with teens who make bad choices. And it’s easier to blame that on ‘school’ rather than on the entire picture…including family and Christianity.
I have a rule to go by..’Don’t believe ANYTHING YOU HEAR…and only half of WHAT YOU SEE. The rule has served me well.
Again, good post. sorry to be lengthy.
internetelias.wordpress.com
No need to be sorry for length and I enjoyed your comment, and likewise agree with you. And I agree with you school comment, but I do remember when I was younger in school every morning was started with the pledge of allegiance, now I was the kid that folded his hands (lol) but there was always a prayer said, but I enjoyed your comment and don’t be a stranger.
Found your blog on a blog search. I like your sincere heart.
The United States of America is a secular nation. The laws and Constitution do reflect some Christian principles as a number of the Founding Fathers were Christians (although a number of them were Deists – including Ben Franklin). The fact that America is a secular nation and has worldly people in it should not have much of an effect on the American church. Did not the Christians of the first century turn the world upside down by preaching the gospel to a secular Roman society?
The main reason our society has serious issues is not because Christians are not politically active enough. Christians have plenty of political activity. They have neglected God activity. Most Christians (I am this close to saying ‘all Christians’) are not experiencing God like the believers did in the first century. No wonder the society is taking a nose dive. This can be changed, however, if Christians can learn to be salt and light to a secular society that doesn’t appear to want God. But this will require some house cleaning of our religious system. Didn’t Jesus walk into the temple and clean house?
You see, the Christian religious system in this nation (and in many other nations also) is quite broken. The leaders of this system are pointing fingers at the unbelievers and blaming them for the society’s problems. It’s not the society’s fault. The unbelievers have no covenant with God. The truth is that the churches of America generally follow this culture’s patterns and see the same results – all the while preaching a morality they don’t live.
The church-goers in American churches need to experience God for real. Every Christian in every church in this nation should be able to describe to you what the tangible presence of God feels like. If you can’t go to church and experience God, you’re getting ripped off. Jesus didn’t pay for us with His very, very precious blood so that we could sit on our hands while the society overtakes us. We are supposed to shine in the darkness with the light and the glory and power of God.
I’ve written a lot here. What can I say? I got on a roll. One last thing, below is the link to the website of the church I attend in Kansas City (you can delete it from the comment if you wish – I’m not on a promotional tour). People who come here experience God (not that we deserve it – trust me, God has had great mercy on us to show up in a powerful way over and over again).
http://www.worldrevivalchurch.com
(The videos are in the upper right of the homepage)
Thanks for letting me comment on your blog.
Chris
Well, I’d like to say thanks for visiting my blog, and it’s likewise nice to see someone that is willing to take a stand, and not be blinded by what this country needs. I can only pray more Christians will take a stand for what is right, as opposed to letting this country tell them what is right. Let God do the talking, and be willing to do the walking. Again, thanks for your time in commenting and don’t be a stranger.