Did you know that 78% of Americans identify themselves as Christians? Approximately 85% of those polled in South Carolina and Georgia say that religion is "very important" to them in their daily lives. With percentages that high only 26% said that they attend church at least weekly. That survey was done in 2015 and I'm pretty certain a smaller percentage is coming to church with any frequency today. We see it in our church and other churches are seeing the same thing: a drop in church attendance.
There are many reasons why people don't attend church with any regularity and some are understandable. The one that bothers me most, I guess, is the one people don't want to admit, fear. Some people are afraid to be seen by their friends or families coming to church or even admitting to believing in God! Less than 8% of the United States population identifies as being agnostic or atheist but those are the ones who have no problem using a bully pulpit to push their agenda. They will call you bigoted, racist, ignorant, and many other of their fallback words to try to make you feel ashamed of your beliefs. Some people are afraid to speak up for fear of losing friends, jobs, even family members who don't believe, or like them, won't admit publicly that they believe in an almighty, all loving, God. There are entirely too many "closet Christians" today. Those are the ones who will pray to God behind the closed doors of their homes but refuse to take a stand when confronted. I remember someone from the Bible who did that, Simon Peter.
(Luke 22:54-62) 54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." 57 But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." 58 A little later, another saw him and said, "You are one of them too!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 After about an hour had passed another man began to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
We have too many people shouting that we can't preach the word or spread the word of God because the Constitution gives them freedom from religion. No it doesn't! It gives each of us Freedom of Religion! They need to do their homework. The First Amendment to the Constitution states clearly, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" If you want to worship a pig or a frog, that's your prerogative but you have the freedom in this country to do it. I will worship my Lord Jesus Christ when and where I please and I will bring the word to whomever I please and don't try to tell me I can't.
We are allowing the radicals in this country to take our freedoms one at a time as we just sit idly by and watch it happen. We're afraid of controversy and what someone may say if we take a stand. It's time that we do take a stand and show the world that as Christians we will not bullied. You may back me into a corner, but my back will be against that wall and I'll be facing you head on. I, for one, am ready to stand up for my beliefs and my God so don't push me.
If you feel as I do, join us on Saturday, August 17th, as we show the Central Savannah River Area what we believe and march peacefully down Broad St, Augusta. Christians who want to show the world that we stand for Jesus and the love and acceptance he gives us in our lives.
Please show up and support this effort. We will meet near Curtis Baptist Church on Broad St and stage there. Please arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 so that we can begin the march promptly at 8:30. We will go to 9th street and turn back toward the Commons where there will be vendors, performers, worship music, and the word of God being brought.
It will be a family friendly day of fun and worship. Hope to see you there!
