Sunday, September 25, 2011

Persecution: Is This Still America?

Before reading this article, just consider the foundations and origins of this country and the freedom seekers who fled an oppressive Europe for, among other things, religious freedom.

It is heartbreaking and disconcerting to read stories such as this one below, but as stated before, it represents just one more sign that we are rapidly moving towards the Tribulation:

High School Coaches In Trouble For Bowing Their Heads During Student-Led Prayer In Tennessee

Several public high school football coaches in Westmoreland, Tenn. are in trouble for bowing their heads during a student-led prayer before a recent game.

According to local NBC affiliate WSMV, the coaches didn’t say anything aloud themselves, but bowed their heads in observance alongside the students.

Word got back to the principal and the school district, which found the coaches’ participation to be an uncomfortable mix of religion and public school.


They simply bowed their heads during a student-led prayer. Thats it. They actually had the audacity to lower their heads during a prayer.

Have we really fallen this far in America?

We have reached a point in which a school representative cannot bow their heads in a public place, while remaining silent?

What makes this worse, is the fact that someone had to turn them in.

“We’ve been telling our principals to kind of be looking for those things, because that is kind of a shift in how things have been done,” district spokesman Jeremy Johnson told WSMV. “It can in no way appear like it’s endorsed by Sumner County Schools personnel.”


Silently bowing their heads? Really?

But resident Tony Bentle, who has been refereeing football games in the town for years, said crackdown “blew [his] mind.”

“We’re just respectful, God-fearing people up here,” he said. “Nobody in this town is offended if you pray. Nobody.”

Further violations of the policy could lead to disciplinary action for the coaches.

“That’s a violation of their rights. We should be able to bow our heads in reverence to God, wherever we are,” Bentle said. “It’s time we draw a line in the sand and say, you know, this is ridiculous.”


Indeed - but we are destined to see worse treatment as the Tribulation approaches. This is just foreshadowing of what is to come.

But for now, it is a sad day in America.

And it is important to remember. "They" can punish, they can threaten, they can sanction, and they can even remove our public display of our faith but they cannot take away our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. No matter what they do, they cannot change that fact.

And that is what really matters - our personal relationship and faith in Christ Jesus.

And "they" will have to live with that fact.

They will also have to live with their lack of faith and the consequences of their actions, as there will come a day when every man's knee will bow before Christ.

14 comments:

Sharon said...

Off topic - 1 Maccabees - I have recently started reading 1 Maccabbees in a Catholic Bible. I have been amazed at the similarities for that time period with that which we are anticipating to occur: drawing forth of those who love God from those who don't, the peace process of Israel & Rome, the rising of the ac and the tribulation, the judgement of God against the ac. I was wondering if anyone else has read it and your thoughts. Thanks!

Scott said...

That is an interesting thought though, the parallels - I hadn't considered that. I haven't read that, perhaps someone else has (?)

Robin said...

The school's administration ruling will surely be over turned. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the ACLU take up the cause. This is a clear violation of these coaches religious rights and in no way was state sanctioned religion. Just an idiot misinterpreting the Cnstitution and what the Supreme Court has already ruled on.

Waterer said...

Sharon,

I haven't read Maccabees. In prep for teaching Daniel a few years back I read the history of the Maccabean revolt and in the secular source, I was very iterested to see that Daniel was to them like a newly discovererd book. It actually fueled their faith. They were despairing over the spoiling of their youth by foreign culture. A despair I sometimes feel over that same pull on my grandchildren.
So many things in our world that we never thought we'd see so shamelessly flaunted have become easily mentioned and condoned because of constant repetition.
I find it hopeful that Daniel is as poerful in our day as the book is unsealed...

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Prophecy Update. Great blog. Why do many keep supporting the subversive anti-American and Jesus-bashing shmucks and schlemiels in Hollywood, in the ACLU, and in politics etc. who constantly stab their best friends - the evangelicals - in the back? Readers might enjoy Googling "Mikey Weinstein, Jesus Basher" and "Separation of Raunch and State." It's okay for Israel to honor its Jewish traditions but somehow wrong for the US to honor its Christian traditions! Let's think of ways to silence the back-stabbers. If Paul Revere were here today, he might be shouting "The Yiddish are coming!" Sally

Robin said...

Actually Sally, I honestly see as much, if not more persecution of Jews. Furthermore, those practicing Jewish traditions in Israel are in the minority. Just because someone has a Jewish sounding name, doesn't mean they're Jewish in the true sense anymore than someone with a Biblical name indicates they're a Christian. For every Jewish Hollywood bashed, there's at least a dozen more non-Jewish. Bashing evangelicals in Hollywood is the PC thing to do because of the times . . .not because of Jews. This isn't the time to "think of ways to silence the backstabbers", but rather, it's time to work toward witnessing to those still unsaved.

WVBORN56 said...

Changing up the subject a bit...Who is everyone pulling for for President assuming we are still here? I am currently torn between Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain but leaning toward Cain. The two leading republican candidates Perry and Romney are RINO's IMHO. I would also consider Palin should she throw her name into the race.

Robin said...

I think Bachman cooked her goose with HPV vaccine debacle with Perry. I like Cain . . .but his statement this morning on CNN regarding FEMA and how Republicans needed to stop bickering about the funding shook me up a little. Republicans voted last week to fund FEMA and Harry Reid through a bunch pf green pork in the mix. We need to remain focused and united this cycle and not allow Democrats to divide us.

I still think Newt's one of the brightest minds alive today but he appears to have somewhat of a morality problem. But if anyone could turn the Country around, Newt could.

But here's the thing . . .if we're in the last days, and I sincerely believe we are . . .NOTHING is going to turn this ship around. Obama will be in office after inauguration Day, 2013. Whether he wins re-election, or suspends next year's election, he'll surely still be there. There's a reason this country elected Barack Hussein Obama SEVEN years after 9/11.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't defend this country from traitors like the DNC, Obama, et al. Whether this is His plan, or not.

WVBORN56 said...

Robin I'm just irratated the MSM has already decide who the two front runners are for the republican nomination and we have not had a single primary. grrrrr!

But with that said it is a bit hard to put much stock in any of these folks. They all engage in double speak and I agree we are to far gone and too close to the rapture to ever see our Country the way it was....but I'll keep trying until the Lord takes us home.

I'm pretty sure Palin and Bachmann are believers but not sure about Cain. I would give Bachmann some slack on the vaccination issue..it was not a sink or swim issue in my mind.

DrNofog said...

Robin said... "...ruling will surely be over turned...ACLU take up the cause..."

Ummm... ACLU was created by Commies, for Commies back in the 30s [and no, Scott, I wasn't there to see it...].

They hate Christianity and Judaism and rarely take anything 'religious' unless it favors Muslims, Atheists, or any of the A-Z cults.

"...We need to remain focused and united this cycle and not allow Democrats to divide us..."

It's not really 'Democrats'. The PTB don't give us any real "choice" at the national level...

Filmmaker Aaron Russo produced a good video - America: Freedom to Fascism, pointing out that our 2 parties are just 2 warring mafia gangs...

Also, before he died [some say 'mysteriously'], he gave an interview where he said Nick Rockefeller told him about the plan to microchip the population, and warned him about 'an event that would allow us to invade Afghanistan and Iraq' some eleven months before 9/11 and foretold the fact that the 'War on Terror' would be a hoax wherein soldiers would be looking in caves for non-existent enemies...

Robin said...

With all due respect, Doc :) I won't allow attempts by Islamic extremists along with their willing accomplice in Hollywood, Michael Moore, dupe me into believing al-Qaeda weren't behind 911.

Furthermore, the Rockefellers are in bed with the Buildeburgs, so anything any of them allege should be viewed suspiciously.

The Republican Party certainly doesn't hold the keys of liberty. For the most part, the party establishment are the problem. But this much I know for certain . . .the PLATFORM reflects my Christian values . . .and a solution WON'T come from ANYONE within the Democrat Party. So, we can choose to get involved at the grassroots level in the Republican Party . . .or sit back on our hands and not get involved at all. But as a Christian, I sincerely believe liberty to worship freely must be guarded and defended at all costs and toward that end, I'll keep plugging away at the only political party at this time, with the best chance of keeping it.

Robin said...

As for the ACLU, for the most part, they defend the left. But a quick look at these links to instances where the ACLU has defended Christians Religious Rights shows they come down on the side of freedom.

http://www.aclufightsforchristians.com/

Where they've defended the left on religious rights, they were instances such as prayer in school over the intercom which, as a Christian, IM opposed to.

Mrs. C said...

So very true Robin, I agree and very well said :) In addition, tell the brave men and women of our armed forces that they are fighting imaginary "non-existent" enemies in Iraq & Afghanistan.
I guess these "non-existent" enemies are just misunderstood, simple farmers shooting their AK-47's at our serving men and women.
And of course as they are not "enemies" they have the right to have their Miranda rights recited to them on the battle field
IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!
As for the ACLU, both statements are correct. :) They were indeed founded by "commies", and they have indeed defended "Christians" (though rarely).
We will all be accountable before Him some day, and very likely some day soon. The Republican Party has its downfalls too, and some times its a lesser of the two evils.
But we cant, as you said, do nothing. Elected officials are not Pastors, they are politicians. The best we can do is support the candidates that are the closest to our Christian values, and let our voices be heard.
In Germany, the people remained silent, and evil flourished...

God Bless!

ally said...

AAAAK-there isn't a suitable candidate in any party currently in my opinion! Frankly, I feel like ralphing and I'm really hoping I won't be here to see whatever idiot gets elected.
I take our nation's freedom, constitution, the death of all those that gave their lives for our liberty very seriously. I do not take this three ring circus, fool ya dumb americans mediacracy to heart.
Really people, do you actually think that one single person who has reached the status of presidential electibility hasn't been bought, sold, traded and corrupted for years at this point. Either that or they are dumb as a rock and easily manipulated. (Palin, for an example. what an idiot!) Besides, I am tired of evil people (Bush, Obummer etc) who parade around waving the Christian flag when they haven't the slightest clue what that actually means. And even worse, people actually believe them, when they say it.
And you wonder why the average unsaved guy or gal makes fun of us (because we are really dumb sheep) or hates us (because we shove our judgements down their throats, live unholy crooked lives and then try to tell them how to live)
Oh PLEASE!
Better to spend your time on your knees in your prayer closet repenting for our nation and begging for forgiveness and for the Father to present to us a clear cut leader of his choosing, than trying to figure it out on your own!
Besides, there is a historical context and framework to search within from the Bible. God has repeatedly used wicked leaders to punish and judge a sinful nation and though he sure hasn't filled me in about it, it seems pretty clearcut that is what he is doing here and now! Yep to us!
You know why? Because we let "them" kick God out of this nation without making any noise. Without trying to stop it. There was atime it would have been easy to stop this train but now, she's running full speed ahead down a steep grade with no brakes! And she is about to derail kiddos!
Really, evry believer in this nation should be on their knees praying for all it's worth, because it is the only chance we have left. THE ONLY ONE! But I guess that might interupt monday night football watching in our nice climate control homes with our satellite tv, remote control and full refrigerators.
What is it going to take for Jesus to get our attention anyway? I'm pretty sure we are going to find out really soon. Lord, save our souls for we know not what we do just about everyday!
And WV-this was not aimed directly at you my brother for your innocent question. Its aimed at all of us including me!
Really folks WAKE UP!