Last weekend while having dinner with a group of friends one person asked if anyone had seen the video clip of a speech given last week. It seems the speaker grew upset when students in the audience walked out when he pointed out the “hypocrisy of Biblical commandments.” According to reports, he made crude remarks when the listeners decided not to listen to his comments. His speech supposedly was to help in the cause of ending bullying. However, it probably did not occur to the speaker that this is exactly what he was doing when he decided to trash the beliefs and moral standards of those who do not believe as he does.

We do live in a country where we do have freedom of speech. Much blood has been shed by soldiers for over 200 years to ensure this right. Unfortunately, this gives people like this person the opportunity to trash what millions hold dear. While many Christian denominations differ in worship and doctrine, one thing all hold to heart is the belief that the Bible is the inspired “Word of God.” When someone disgraces the Bible it would seem that they are striking out at God.

The United States is still a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles. We still have “In God We Trust” on our currency and we pledge allegiance to our flag with the words “One Nation Under God.” It is a belief of many that the United States has been a blessed nation due to our adherence to these principles and the fact that we serve a divine Creator. Our country stands strong and as a beacon to others of what can be achieved.

Many of us Christians have stood by and watched as those who seek to twist the word of God, and even dispute the authenticity and divine inspiration, work to take Him out of our everyday lives. They want God removed from our schools, judicial system, government, and even the media. It seems the mention of God offends a few people. Maybe the rest of us need to stand up and let it be known that occurrences such as the above mentioned speech offend us as well. We no longer have prayer in schools, at athletic events, and many government meetings just to name a few. It would make one wonder how long God will continue to watch as our nation pushes Him aside.

But we still know He is in charge. From His word we know:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Randy Garrison is the publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.