By James Lambert
August 29, 2003

(AgapePress) - Over the last week, we witnessed a number of people being arrested while defending the public postings of the Ten Commandments in a public building in the capital of Alabama. Many historians believe that the Ten Commandments form the foundation for U. S law. (Refer to the writings of Founding Fathers John Adams, James Madison, and George Washington to find out.)

What the "secular" media fails to tell us is that the very court that turned down the legal request for delaying the removal of the Commandments monument has carved on its own walls these same Commandments and a statue of the deliverer of those laws, Moses. Signs of this cultural insanity have spread steadily like wildfire across America -- and the Church is much to blame for these deep roots of secularism in our society.

Two hundred, 100, and even 50 years ago, preachers, pastors and priests were, for the most part, unafraid to criticize immoral or secular trends in our society. Historically, the Church set the tone of moral guidance, thereby helping society to understand the importance of making sound moral judgments. Fifty years ago, preachers had the ear and the respect of their communities.

Today, most ministers feel that it is better to convey a positive image without condemning or judging social trends or sins in our communities. This lapse of strong public guidance and criticism among the clergy has resulted in many religious people being confused and mislead about many key moral issues in our day. The examples are many.

Within the last few weeks, the Episcopal Church USA has condoned homosexuality (even though it is clearly denounced in the Bible) by electing an outspoken homosexual to the position of bishop.

Despite the passage of the pro-marriage initiative (Proposition 22) in California a mere three years ago, most West Coast clergy have been silent about the California legislature's drive to promote homosexual civil unions (AB 205). The clergy failed to condemn similar actions in the State of Vermont. Ultimate passage of "gay marriage" laws could eventually legally force pastors and priests to decide whether to endorse such unions or face government sanctions.

High-profile religious leaders in the black community continue to focus most of their attention on race (which is fine within its context) and ignore addressing the major social issue within their community: namely, the destruction of the black nuclear family (over 69% of black children are out of wedlock). A similar crisis is occurring within white America, where children born out of wedlock in recent years have grown from 18% to 30% of births.

Many Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant leaders continue to support political leaders that condone and even support the abortion business that eliminates over a million babies a year. These same religious leaders refuse to take the moral high ground and address this issue directly with the political leaders who are members of their own congregations.

The national Catholic Church has been slow to condemn priests within their midst who have molested children. Such tragic cases can have extremely long, lasting, and damaging effects on these boys and girls, psychologically effecting them for most if not all of their lives.

Most clergy continue to avoid discussing problems resulting from the vast expansion of hard-core pornography on the Internet. Several years ago, Focus on the Family conducted two back-to-back radio programs on porn addiction among church leader. During that week, more than 6,000 church leaders or their family members called for help regarding this little-addressed problem. (This fact was personally confirmed by this writer.)

Political correctness in the public place tells us to replace the greeting "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays" because the word "Christmas" may offend people in the public. Already we are told that publicly displayed crucifixes are offensive to others because of what this symbol represents.

With the recent judicial decision silencing children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools, most are perplexed that there is not more of an outcry from the Church. Much of Jesus' ministry was performed in the public square, for many to see. Certainly the Church must realize that we are in a titanic struggle of good vs. evil in our society. It is not the time to be timid.

Groups supporting these secular trends realize that if they scare into silence any defenders of morality in America, it will not be long before America is totally given over to secular humanism.

Most of us would be deeply saddened to see whatever few, remaining symbols of God in the public arena removed -- the national motto "In God We Trust" removed from coins and currency, public swearing-in ceremonies conducted without the Bible, crosses or symbols of crosses eliminated from grave sites or from public view, chaplains eliminated from the military or from Congress, parts of the Bible censored because biblical language resembles "hate speech" condemning certain lifestyles. The list could go on and on.

Where does it end? Our calendar is even based on Christ's life, and history is established from the estimated time of Christ's birth. How will they try to change all famous or historical dates from a record that begins with the birth of Jesus Christ?

It is time we not find out. It is time to encourage those in faith communities to stand strong. We live in a crucial time where we cannot afford to be silent. We need to spread the gospel and to resist the growing secularism that has enveloped our culture. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our faith could cost us our friends, our security, and more. Certainly Jesus understood this; it's time the Church and clergy understands this as well.