A New Dawn For Conviction

By Steve Farrell (Nevada)

Today we live in a day where many people, qualify, apologize, even retreat from what they are about to say, lest the moment their words come halting forth from their mouth, their particular position be interpreted as religious, political, or offensive to the private beliefs of others.

Heaven forbid, we be permitted or encouraged to air our thoughts completely, spring loaded with conviction. What a supreme violation of etiquette and the rights of others that would be.

The problem is, some actually believe just that. They have fallen into the trap of calling good evil and evil good, or of redefining and restating obvious truths in diametrical form so often that the hearing almost sounds true.

But where is freedom of speech or freedom of religion except in sharing and persuading our thoughts and convictions into the heart, mind, and soul of others, and of having the opportunity, to have them to the same, without censorship, to us?

God insisted that mankind have these rights because he felt that men and women should freely, even passionately exercise them. Were not His parting words to his apostles after his death:  “Go ye into all the world and preach my gospel to every creature? How then is it unethical to approach mixed audiences and governments on the subject of religion?

Missionaries from Paul to the present, have gone door to door, into churches and synagogues, and even - as commanded, before Congresses and Kings, declaring persuasively and without apology the road to a better life here and an eternal life hereafter. This doesn’t sound anything like the timidity of the present era. But it does resemble the martyrs of the reformation, and the fearless spirit of England’s loyalty to God over government Puritan movement.

No less brave and noble, is the sacred battle for political liberty, which was born on the wings of the reformations fleeing souls, in this country. Who can with integrity falsify the past and say that our liberty won was a payoff for anything less than a people who spoke with conviction and debated with passion in every church building, in every school house, in every tavern, in every congress, and in every newspaper. Indeed, as we   examine works like “American Political Writings during the Founding Era” by Hyneman and Lutz, we find that even the writings and sermons of the common folk, were filled with passionate faith, if not prophetic insight.

Revealingly, the two things they spoke and wrote the most about, are the pair we are so carefully trained to avoid today -  religion and government. These were to them inseparable and rightfully items open for constant public consideration and care.

As the colonies progressed in wisdom and stature, the common conversation, was not of plotting to find ways to utilize the state to mandate one faith, as some wrongly accuse present day Christians of doing, but circled around the understanding that fundamental religious principles were the cornerstones upon which liberty and order stood, and that the sole business of government was to protect God given rights, especially free speech and religious liberty.

What is wrong with that?

Nothing, not then, not now. As Cicero informed us, some laws, because they come from God, can never be revoked by governments or traditions. Isn’t it that principle which marks the difference between a republic and a pure democracy? We are, says the pledge, one nation under God.

How then can we be so unwise to suppose that private property, for example, can survive the current assault of socialism, if we abandon, and fail to promote the faith, that "thou shalt not steal" is a principle come from God?

Or how can we stop the slide toward disrespect for life which is evidenced by legalized abortion, euthanasia, and senseless wars for personal political advantage, unless it once again burns in the hearts of most ever American that “thou shalt not shed innocent blood” is a commandment of the Almighty?

And how shall we stop the trend toward unlimited government, unless we once again believe that God is King, and government simply the protector of God-given rights?

The relentless assault from all quarters, both left and right, on free thinking, eternal law, and equality before such laws, beckons the day when good men and good minds must refuse silence, and shun tolerance of any future invasions upon freedom of speech and religion. Ours is the opportunity, to step forth,  in this day of necessity, as men and women have in ages past, and exercise these rights intrepidly, for the protection of all rights and the blessing of all people.