I am getting really sick of people telling me (or anyone else) what I can or cannot say! I believe in the freedom of speech even when I disagree or it is offensive. The only one hurt by a stupid or offensive remark is the one who makes the remark. Whatever happened to, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"?
This past weekend Curt Warner, formerly an NFL quarterback and now TV commentator, made a remark concerning his disbelief in macro evolution. He went on to say he did believe in micro evolution and then transitioned to an evaluation of the "evolution" of Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisburger. From what I saw on Fox News "Five" yesterday, there are evidently fans who are squealing like "stuck pigs" at the remark.
Why? Because Curt Warner is a Christian!
Underlying all the crap is the secular conviction that science is always right and everything else is wrong! Science is supposed to have the answer to everything and be able to explain everything. So if you question Climate Change (ala Global Warming) you are stupid, a denier, and ______________ (you fill in the blank). Global warming is just one category.
Why is it so hard for people to realize that scientific data is open to interpretation? Quite often the interpretation of data and the conclusions reached change. The change occurs for one or more of at least two reasons: (1) Interpretation of the data is prejudiced and/or wrong. (2) Additional data refutes previous conclusions.
I will grant that Christians interpret scientific data regarding the origins of the universe differently than secularists. Why is it interpreting from Christian presuppositions is wrong when interpreting the same data from a non-Christian or secular position is okay? Creationism and belief in a steady-state universe requires faith on both sides of the question.
But...there is something greater to all this! It is the right to say what one thinks or to present a personal conviction openly and without fear. I grew up believing I could say whatever I wanted to say as long as I was responsible. I knew I shouldn't yell "FIRE" in a crowded building. I also knew using language to bully or deride another was improper...not to say unChristian! I learned I should not say anything about someone if I couldn't say something positive. But I also grew up thinking that I could express my beliefs, my position, my view, my perspective, my convictions without fear even if they were contradictory or offensive to someone else.
Today atheists, secular-progressives, and unbelievers have the right to say anything about my beliefs, my convictions, and I am not supposed to respond. Right now Christians are facing a not-so-quiet persecution that isn't going to go away anytime soon. Want to know what it will look like? Look at the ancient Roman Empire...
Frankly, it is our fault Christians! Through our inaction we have failed to evangelize sufficiently to maintain a Christian majority. We have this "myth" of a Christian nation pounded into our heads so much we have forgotten that America was once a nation of Christians--at least a nation of sufficient Christians who live by Christian principles. Sadly, we're not even that! A few years ago George Barna said that only 5% of the 80% who claimed to be Evangelical Christians actually lived their faith! That's not going to be a lot of "salt" or "light" in a dark world!
