Friday, August 23, 2013
Quiet Please!
Several
months ago a publically funded radio station aired a discussion on a hot topic
of the day; they were wondering if it was appropriate for New England Patriots' quarterback Tim Tebow
to make a public display of his faith. They
wondered if a "Tebow" is "professional."
Historically,
intimidation and public humiliation have been the tools of tyrants and bullies
who are quick to say "quiet please" to anyone who doesn't see things
their way. Such tactics have been the hallmarks of dictators and repressive
regimes. Truth seekers, on the other
hand, are unafraid of ideas and let everyone say their piece.
The
religious and political powers of the first century held the same view as the
radio guest mentioned above. They wanted to control the ideas on the public
airwaves. Eventually they publically executed Jesus because he was
unprofessional and wore his faith on his sleeve. But truth is not easily snuffed out, and now
there are millions of believers who should take their cue from Jesus and live
their faith publically and professionally.
America's
Founding Fathers wanted free speech, but not forced faith. They felt it was
very appropriate for some to speak publically about their faith. It is clear
that people who do not believe in the God of our forefathers are speaking
out. That is their right, just as it is
the right of Christians to openly live out what they believe. When Christians are asked to "be quiet
please", they are not only being
asked to deny their faith, they are being asked to forfeit one of America's
most precious, foundational freedoms. When Americans unashamedly express their
faith, they represent America at its finest.
One of the guests suggested that Tebow should keep his faith a private matter.
Then she shockingly, claimed that our Founding Fathers intended that it should
be that way. Unsurprisingly, none of her
colleagues challenged this misinformation.
That particular "expert" was, at best, poorly misinformed and,
at worst, intentionally ignoring the historical record for the sake of a
preferred world view. Our Founding
Fathers gave their lives and fortunes specifically so Americans could enjoy free
speech and free exercise of religion.
Fortunately
our Founding Fathers were wise enough to pen their world views. An accurate
account of what they believed is readily available to those who are willing to
do a bit of research. For example, Patrick
Henry said, "It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their
chains." Such faith-filled quotes
have been accumulated at websites such as http://www.usachristianministries.com/us-history-quotes-about-god-and-the-bible/.
Knowing human nature, our Founding Fathers also had the forethought to etch their
philosophies in stone. This website
enumerates many in Washington D.C.: http://providencefoundation.com/?page_id=1962
Because
history has often been re-written or misspoken, some readers may be surprised
to learn that:
- Immediately following George Washington's 1789 inauguration, he went to St Paul's Chapel (on the corner of what is now Ground Zero) to pray. Washington obviously felt public prayer to be very professional; even essential.
- For years many government meetings (including congressional meetings) have begun with prayer to the God of the Bible.
- One of the first Bibles printed in English in America was sanctioned by the U.S. Congress in 1782.
- Public schools famously began each day with Bible reading and prayer well into the 1900s.
- For many years politicians attended church in our nation's capitol building.
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