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March 1, 2005

 

NONBELIEVERS SEEK MORE POLITICAL INFLUENCE

 

Article appearing in “The Columbus Dispatch” written by G. Jeffrey Macdonald (RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE).  1/16/2005

 

PARTIAL TEXT FOLLOWS

 

Bracing for what’s to come from a Republican controlled White House and Congress, people who don’t believe in God are joining forces as never before to make sure their rights don’t get trampled in what they perceive as a stampede of religious zeal.

 

Riding a post-election spike in new memberships, groups of humanists, agnostics and other non-theists are raising funds to put their first lobbyists on Capitol Hill. To shape an agenda leaders from as many as 20 non-theistic groups will convene Jan 15-16 for their largest summit since Ronald Regan took the Oval Office with help from the Moral Majority in 1981.

 


 

WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS DO WHEN ATHEIST’S BECOME OFFENSIVE?

… Editor’s Thoughts …

 

The attitude of all who do not believe in God is as it has been throughout mankind's history, In ancient history there were people who did not believe in God and they acted a whole lot like non-believers do today—Example—Rom 1:18-32:

 “18 God's Wrath on Unrighteousness For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (NKJV)”

 

One of the important things that all Christians must pursue is obedience to the instruction of the Lord, cf. Acts 4:13-22:

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.  17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed” (NKJV).

 

We have no choice but to continue to go about teaching the gospel to those that will listen (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2), since we do not know who will heed the gospel message we will probably approach some of the very people who are determined to resist the truth. Whenever this does occur, let us accept chastisement from those that will not heed God’s message for their salvation and use our energy and voices to teach those that will listen, (Example Paul the apostle of Christ) -- Acts 13:45-46: 

“45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (NKJV).

 

Editorial: Garreth L. Clair—1/16/2005.  Posted 3/1/05

glclair@sbcglobal.net

Our prayer is that we will be able to aid in the great work of teaching and encouraging people from all walks of life to take a little time and look at the evidence for God’s existence, His love for mankind, and His Holy Book (i.e., the BIBLE).

 

Go to: http://bible.com


PSALMS 23:1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

NKJV BIBLE


NEWS AND RELIGIOUS VIEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL OCCUR ON THIS PAGE REGULARLY.

The information that we will deal with from throughout the world will be printed in the English (i.e., American) language. The news and events will be gleaned from existent news sources, both electronic media and printed media. We will always give the source and credits for  the origins of our NEWS ITEMS.

 

 

 


Consider Magazine is an independent work by Garreth L. Clair

Garreth has over 50 years experience as a preacher, and is currently the preacher for the church that meets at 4840 Cemetery Road, in Hilliard OH.

http://www.cemeteryroadchurchofchrist.org/

Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved.  (Please contact us for permission to reprint.)

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