Religion in America

A couple of articles that reveal the direction that religion in America is headed. Exactly the opposite way of where I think it should go.

http://cl.ly/0k1u3M1x2S3N3O1k0y1f

http://cl.ly/1i3h3j20381e0S30130P

George Orwell: Notes on the Way

While I don't agree with everything that Mr. Orwell says, I think he has some interesting thoughts on modern man. Read his "Notes on the Way" essay at http://orwell.ru/lit?a=e&doc=/library/articles/notes/english/e_notew

"Today, the United States faces billions of people around the world, most of them poor, who want to be like Americans but don't want to be under America's thumb; who want to dress and live like Americans but are denied visas by the U.S. embassy; who are told over and over that America stands for freedom but see only the American pursuit of self-interest." —Amy Chua

Prohibition

With the new Ken Burns documentary out, it seems proper to post this quote from Dave Barry: “Thus began the nation’s “Noble Experiment” [Prohibition] which was eventually judged to be a noble failure and was replaced by the current sensible and coherent alcohol policy of showing public service TV announcements wherein professional sports figures urge people not to drink, interspersed with TV commercials wherein professional sports figures urge people to drink.”

Man's attempts at reconciliation

"North Korea to chair United Nations Conference on Disarmament" recently made headlines in world papers. It seems that if North Korea which must consistently rank as one of the most bellicose nations in the world can be named chair of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament then the United Nations cannot be too serious about disarmament. The United Nations show how pathetic man's attempts are to solve his problems.

Great cartoon

Maybe this quote from an American government textbook from the 1960's will shed some light on this cartoon.

The quote: "But even the Constitution has become a possession of the specialists, and to read the document itself sheds little light on constitutional law. Indeed, Professor T. R. Powell, one of Harvard’s most distinguished teachers, is reported to have warned his students not to read the Constitution because it would 'confuse their minds.'”

Anxiety

A recent report says that anxiety is up on college campuses. But frankly, says an author who analyzes the report, the problem is that anxiety is up all across America. For me the money quote was from psychologist Robert Leahy: "The average high school kid today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950s."

The analyst mentions three reasons for increased anxiety:

1. America's increasing loss of community
2. An ever-increasing torrent of information—which, I might add, is increasingly un-contextualized
3. Our intolerant attitude towards negative feelings

I can't address all these issues and am certain that as soon as I did someone else would argue over the validity of my premises; however, I think it is safe to note that the increase in anxiety also comes at a time when America is increasingly less Christian. I believe that this is a cause. As I told a person just this morning, "Only God gives us a peace that passes all understanding." When we reject God's peace we turn to pseudo-treatments such as those mentioned in the article: drugs, social networks, shopping, and food.

Further, our national anxiety is one reason for the polarization of our nation. Rather than looking to God for solutions; we look to government. Our anxiety leads to divisions and hatred because we Americans believe that only by forcing our plans upon other can we achieve purpose and success in life.

As Christians—Americans & Christians—we would do well to avail ourselves of some useful avoidance mechanisms. First, don't neglect the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25). God gave us His churches for a reason; and one of those reasons is that God knew the importance of community. When we follow the New Testament pattern laid down for us, we find a sense of security in knowing that there are fellow believers who love us and pray for us. As a side note, let's avoid social networking and especially the false belief that social networking is valuable in our lives. If you want to share pictures on Facebook, go for it. But do not neglect the opportunities to interact face-to-face with the people that God has put in your geographic location.

Second, let's avoid as much television and internet hype as we can. Most reporting on the television and internet does not enable us to live better, more Christ-like lives. The hype and fear-mongering by those on the political left, political right, and centrists does not encourage us to turn to our Father in heaven for comfort and direction.

Finally, remember the words of Christ: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."