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| Fig. 1.1 |
The other day, I came across this image in a discussion concerning religion. There are, of course, multiple ways to take it: 1.) While there is a Bible in the image, it could mean all religion and that Christianity merely epitomizes those religions, or 2.) Christianity is the only religion that needs to be done away with. Are these new ideas? Is there any validity to such arguments? While the Bible actually presents us with numerous examples in which similar sentiments were express (through words or actions), let us first examine whether this makes sense given what we know about the world.
In a world full of dispute, it is obvious that claiming that getting rid of religion will bring peace is an absurdly illogical argument. Are arguments concerning Global Warming based on religion? Gun control? Issues of race? Oil? Drugs? If all religion were done away with tomorrow, would these issues (some of which have caused the deaths of many people) magically disappear? What about violent international disputes over economic systems? How peaceful have nations without religion been in the past?
Relatively recently, the lead singer of a band posted a photo of his full-size truck on his own Facebook page. If, as some claim, religion causes all the strife in the world, then this one post should have had no negative impact, but that simply wasn't true. "Fans" of this singer began commenting on the photo in the most vile manners possible (on both sides of the issue); there was name calling, cussing, swearing, and many other unspeakable things presented in the "discussion". Remember, this was over a man's truck. He wasn't discussing religion, nor was he making a political statement...he was only showing a picture of his truck. How would getting rid of religion cure such rantings and ravings?
Unfortunately, many generations in America have fallen prey to the misconception that they are smarter and more "enlightened" than any generation that has preceded them. The Bible is "outdated" and "antiquated", which is generally established by false claims that the Apostle Paul was a chauvinist (or similar argumentation). Religion, many claim, is the manifestation of a weak, undeveloped mind. Enlightened minds do not need a "dusty old book" to tell them what is right and what is wrong, and the enlightened mind is able to accept differing viewpoints (except, of course, viewpoints predicated upon religious principles). No one, in the entire history of the world, has been so enlightened as our current society; remember, of course, that many who make such claims believe the world to be millions, billions, or trillions of years old, so this is a rather large claim to make.
Mankind is able to determine morality separate and apart from God; we do not need God to inform us as to what is right and wrong...or at least some make such a claim. Can we logically conclude what is and what is not right by ourselves? Can our system of laws determine such for us? Let us take a moment to examine such a claim using America as a case-study:
It is illegal for someone of "consenting age" to have sexual relations with someone not of "consenting age". Depending upon state, "consenting age" is 18, while other states are 16. A female who is 12, 13, 14, or 15 (and, of course, younger than 12) is not deemed cognitive enough to make the decision to have sexual intercourse. However, that same child can, in many states, have an abortion without involving her parents or the father in any way. Now, a child as young as 2 or 3 can choose their "gender preference". Let us follow the logic: a 2 year old can choose their gender, a 15 year old girl can choose to murder her child, but neither can make the cognitive decision to have sex.
Yes, it is clear that mankind can establish morality apart from God and that religion is the cause of all the problems in the world. Sadly, many will defend the "agenda" no matter what the cost; in other words, they would argue that the only thing out of sorts in the paragraph above is that children aren't deemed cognitive enough to have consensual sex.
The problems in the world are not caused by religion, nor are they caused by the existence of morality (as given by God). Rather, they are caused by mankind and the wickedness participated in by mankind. While each generation purports to be the most "enlightened" ever, they spew the same wickedness of the generations that came before them. Remember that King Ahab claimed that it was Elijah that had caused all the trouble in Israel: "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" Was it Elijah who troubled Israel? Or had he simply made the Israelites feel guilty in their disobedience? Elijah responded to Ahab by saying that he had "not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals" (1 Kings 18:17-18).
Shouts of bigotry and intolerance are directed at those who stand up for God and for His word and they are meant to intimidate. They are agenda driven and they are argued from emotion rather than from an objective viewpoint. Man is not "enlightened" apart from God. Man cannot find the correct path without God. Too many Christians are falling prey to the empty rhetoric of this world and are accepting sin as being fine with God. Forget what the world purports as being "right"; the world cannot discern right from wrong without God!
"O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
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