“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1).
Hardly a day goes by that we do not read about an atheist person or group, demanding that something that offends them be removed. Recently, in Midlothian, Texas, an atheist group called Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), demanded the removal of plaques in two elementary schools. [1]
Here are the words engraved on the plaque:
DEDICATED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1997
TO THE EDUCATION OF GOD’S CHILDREN
AND TO THEIR FAITHFUL TEACHERS
IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
SOLI DEO GLORIA
Here is a quote from FFRF:
“Our organization is about keeping religion out of the government. Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Sam Grover told NBC Dallas Fort Worth. “Because these plaques are on the school building, they’re not individual speech. They’re government speech, and that is restricted.”
The schools were ordered to remove the plaques. Instead, they placed duct tape over them. The tape was removed by an upset parent. This event happening in Texas is now commonplace.
Has anyone ever said to you that “Separation of Church and State” is in our Constitution?
IT IS NOT.
The phrase was originally coined from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, to a group of Danbury, CT, pastors. The pastors had written to the president about their concern that the government might enforce a State religion, whereby infringing upon their right to freedom of worship (First Amendment). Jefferson penned a letter to them, assuring them that no such thing would happen. It is important to see the entire letter from Jefferson:
Gentlemen, the affectionate sentiment of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature would “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.
Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.
— Thomas Jefferson, January 1, 1802
This is a glaring example of our godless leaders in our present government, using the words of Jefferson (from a personal letter) to twist and pervert the intent of his heart when writing to the pastors. He wrote to them to assure them that all was well, and they need not worry that the government would infringe upon their right to worship.
If you ask people if “Separation of Church and State” is in our Constitution, most will say, yes. When something is repeated enough, people believe it. Even some Christians believe this, because it has been said over and over. We must remember who is the author of confusion and the father of lies.
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.” Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
So, why do atheists who scoff at our belief in God, become so enraged when He is mentioned in public — or worse, when plaques or crosses are placed on public property? If they do not believe in His existence, then why do they protest so violently? Why do these same people ignore Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism? They defend Muslims, or at least remain silent in the face of jihad; a silence which speaks so loudly!
Jesus Is the Reason
Our Lord Jesus is God. The demons know it, and they tremble at His Name.
“When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs.They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:28-29).
The ones who deny the existence of God, are used by the evil one to attempt to shut down anything associated with our Lord Jesus. One would think that if these people believe that we (Christians) are deluded, then why not just laugh at us and move on? It is because they know there is power in the Name of Jesus!
Another reason that atheists push to have any trace of the Lord removed from public, is that Jesus speaks about sin in the Word. Those who love living in their sin, HATE the words of Jesus regarding repentance. They are secular humanists, and believe that the world revolves around them. How dare anyone tell them that they are sinners!
What exactly is Secular Humanism and what do they believe?
Theologically, Secular Humanists are atheists. Humanist Paul Kurtz, publisher of Prometheus Books and editor of Free Inquiry magazine, says that “Humanism cannot in any fair sense of the word apply to one who still believes in God as the source and creator of the universe.” Corliss Lamont agrees, saying that “Humanism contends that instead of the gods creating the cosmos, the cosmos, in the individualized form of human beings giving rein to their imagination, created the gods.”
Secular Humanism, then, can be defined as a religious worldview based on atheism, naturalism, evolution, and ethical relativism. But this definition is merely the tip of the iceberg. A more complete discussion of the Secular Humanist worldview can be found in David Noebel’s Understanding the Times, which discusses (in detail) humanism’s approach to each of ten disciplines: theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics and history. [2]
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible” (Ephesians 5:6-13).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, please understand that we are NOT fighting against flesh and blood. The demons go wherever Satan tells them to. Souls who have rejected God are vulnerable to becoming tools of the devil. And so are false Christians who hide behind the Name of Jesus Christ to do their dirty work.
Put on the full armor of God and stand on His Word!
MARANATHA!
Blessings in Yeshua