Targeting Christians

                Christians in Iraq were forced to celebrate Christmas behind blast walls and barbed wire.  Two simultaneous bombs detonated in an outdoor market in the Christian section, killing 11 people and wounding 21.  Later a car bomb exploded and killed at least 37 people near a church after a service.

                No Christians were bombed in the United States, but other “attacks” took place against Christians during December.  Phil Robertson was given indefinite suspension from Duck Dynasty because he made comments that A&E did not like.  A&E reversed the suspension over the weekend and will allow Robertson back on the show.  Obviously, the financial realities hit A&E!

                The Veterans Administration decided to put strict controls on Christmas carols, Christmas cards, and even the wrapping paper on gifts at VA facilities.  Members of the American Legion attempted to hand out presents to veterans in Iowa City but were told that the wrapping paper could not say “Merry Christmas.”  Christian school students attempted to sing Christmas carols in Augusta, Georgia, but were told they had to limit their songs to “government-approved, secular songs.”  The students left without singing.  Children attempting to distribute Christmas cards to patients at a VA hospital in Dallas, Texas, were refused because the cards included phrases such as “Merry Christmas” and “God Bless You.”

                The American Legion is totally separate from any religion, and yet Daniel Dellinger, the National Commander of American Legion, was forced to make a statement about the censorship and restrictions being placed on Christian volunteers at VA facilities.

                “Every Christmas, every religious holiday, Christians are more and more often targeted for censorship and restriction at VA facilities.  Veterans in these hospitals fought to protect such freedoms.”

                Dellinger continued, “First of all, VA’s decision to prohibit the delivery of Christmas cards that mention Christmas is ludicrous.  Second of all, VA has been down this road before and recently.  VA has been warned through a federal court decree to stop denying freedom of religious expression at its facilities.  It’s pretty obvious the Dallas VA did not get that memo.”  The American Legion requested an explanation from the VA Central Office for why “Christians are being singled out for restrictions.” 

                What can we learn from the three examples above?  First, we should be grateful that Christians are not being bombed – but we should understand that violence follows rhetoric if bullies are not stopped.  Second, we should take a lesson from the Phil Robertson example and stand up for what we believe.  In the A&E experience, the power of the dollar took precedence over the agenda because enough Americans took a stand against A&E for the company to notice.  Daniel Dellinger called the Veterans Administration on their censorship.

                A “Chick-Phil-A National Support Day” is planned for January 21, and supporters are asked to dine at Chic-fil-A in camouflage gear.  The group behind this effort maintains they’ve “got a big battle ahead in the greater picture of this culture war being waged against us!”  In addition to supporting Chick-Phil-A Day, we can make sure that the Veterans Administration hears our point of view.  If enough Americans contact them to oppose their actions, we may have some effect on future occasions.

                There is a definite cultural war taking place in America, and Christian values of traditional marriage, family, and faith are being targeted on a regular basis.  Recent court cases have given us eighteen states that legalize same-sex marriage.  Why?  This happened because of our “tolerance.”  Christians must take a stand and stand together because “secret combinations” are at work trying to destroy our nation from within.  We must defend our positions or lose them in this battle for the very survival of our culture and nation.  It is time that every Christian puts on the armor of God and stands firm for His principles.  If we draw our line here and stand immovable, we may not get to the point of being bombed for our beliefs.  We are well past the time for “sunshine patriots” and must take a stand.  We must show our opponents that we will not simply sit and take their abuse.  Will you stand with us?