The
Cowardice of Christians!
Christians have become cowards. We are a shame to Christianity and to Christ. We Christians have abdicated our responsibility to bear witness to the truth to God’s world. Even though there is a large number of Christians in America, we behave like sheep. We are humiliated by politicians, the media, government, and educators. When we speak in public, we are asked not to speak of God, and we are ridiculed when we express the truths that God has revealed. The public institutions we support through our taxes are often openly hostile to Christ and His message.
Christians have become cowards. We are a shame to Christianity and to Christ. We Christians have abdicated our responsibility to bear witness to the truth to God’s world. Even though there is a large number of Christians in America, we behave like sheep. We are humiliated by politicians, the media, government, and educators. When we speak in public, we are asked not to speak of God, and we are ridiculed when we express the truths that God has revealed. The public institutions we support through our taxes are often openly hostile to Christ and His message.
We don’t need to
be afraid to defend our values. Christian values have stood the test of time,
and lead to peaceful and productive lives. We don’t need to be “politically
correct.” In fact, we can’t be politically correct and Christians. God calls us
to be holy and not accept that which is contrary to truth and righteousness.
Retailers, industry, and the media continue to offend Christians by replacing our
feasts with commercialism, yet we Christians fail to raise our voices and call
for what is right. The world tells us that not everyone is Christian; thus they
cannot use Christian expressions in their advertising, but in the same stores
we see signs of Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Eid.
Should it upset
Christians that all other religions, and atheists, are offered respect and
protection in schools and universities, while Christians are marginalized?
Christians are not allowed to mention Christ’s name or sing Christmas songs
without some form of backlash. Even the Christmas tree has become a target.
Just about everything that society used to consider wrong and unhealthy has
become acceptable in our country, except mentioning the name of Christ or His
blessed feasts. We Christians have limited our Christianity to the time we
spend in church.
While we may worship with
excitement and call Christ Lord, and some will shout “Hallelujah” when they
leave our churches, we act like lost sheep and cowards. We say that we are
anxious not to hurt people’s feelings by crossing ourselves, but we have the
dignity of their Lord, who said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20). He
also said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Yes, we are cowards. A cup of coffee from
Starbucks is more important than the dignity of Christ, and God’s commandment
which says that “whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of
Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father’s, and of
the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).
We run to Starbucks,
Walmart, Target, Wegmans, and other stores that continuously secularize
Christmas, the feast of Christ’s birth, but we Christians keep coming back for
more. Why support these people who are constantly offending our faith?
Why do they get offended when we say Merry Christmas? How are we offending
them? Is it because we are wishing them peace on earth and joy to their hearts?
Why are they bothered? They are bothered because it reminds them of Christ, who
came for the salvation of mankind.
This hate and blatant bigotry
against Christianity exists because the world rejected Christ, and continues to
reject Him as it seeks to worship any other god; money, sex, and the self. Are
we of the world, or are we the witnesses of the truth in the world? If we are seventy percent of those
who live in a democratic republic, where is the democracy? Where is the republic? Why is the majority not expressing its
faith? Does the Constitution not defend our right to freedom of religion? It
does, and we must use it. We Christians must remember; life without dignity has
no meaning. Let’s remember who we are, and what God has done for us. He is the
God of our forefathers, and the God of all.
Let us remember our
parents in the faith who challenged emperors and kings, and great
heresies. They suffered, and often died as martyrs, witnessing to the One
who died on the cross for their salvation – your salvation, for the salvation
of your children, and that of the world. My dear brothers and sisters, teach your
children what courage, manhood and womanhood are. Do not let Christmas go
by like those before. If the world wants a war, based on their bigotry and
hatred against us and our Lord, let us declare another war based on love,
wisdom, and courage. Wherever we go, let us proclaim that Christ is born, and
let us wish a Merry Christmas to everyone. Let us decorate our homes with
lights. Let us decorate our hearts with Christ’s light, with courage and love
for God first, and for our neighbour second.
Christians, rise like
your Lord rose from the tomb. Rise from your death to life, from shame to
dignity. In this coming feast, be the presence of the angels in this darkened
society and let your light shine, without fear or cowardice, by saying loudly,
“Merry Christmas,” to everyone, declaring that Christ is born, Hallelujah!
Whether they like it or not, it is a Merry Christmas, and because it is merry,
we repeat with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
and good will among men.” Amen, Amen, Amen.
Father Theodore Daoud,
Parish Priest,
St. Mary’s Antiochian
Orthodox Church, Baltimore, Maryland
Posted by: ModeNEWS ARTICLES, COMMENTARIES & FEATURES2 Comments of Life January 7, 2016 in Diatribes & Commentaries,
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