The irrational and nonsensical attacks against Christianity are getting more and more ridiculous.
In England, a 13-year old Catholic public school student's quarter-inch crucifix is considered a "health and safety" risk that violates the dress code - while Muslims are permitted religious dispensations to violate the dress code with turbans, and Sikhs with turbans and jewelry - all the while none of these are deemed "health and safety" risks. Here is the link.
Of course, public school administrators in the U.S. or Britain are not known for being the brightest bulbs on the "winter solstice tree," but even they must have enough residual brain cells to know that billions of people around the world wear chains and quarter-inch pendants and are not dropping dead or developing tumors. So far, there are no warning labels on crucifixes warning of the health risks. There have been no widespread reports of people suddenly getting body parts caught in the chain and needing amputations. Where the stupidity of these bureaucrats is truly manifested is in their belief that people around the world are going to believe this nonsense.
This is only three months after a very similar situation in which British Airways, who make dress code allowances for non-Christians, fired a Coptic Christian over her refusal to hide her tiny cross pendant.
The last few years have brought similar battles here in the States regarding the public display of Christmas symbols. A year ago, New York City banned Christmas symbols, while allowing displays for Eid (a Muslim holiday), Hannukah, and even Kwanzaa!
The United States government is even playing King Herod doing its part in trying to stamp out Jesus with this story. I'm sure the Commander-in-Chief has a very good reason not to step in and defend this loyal sailor and fellow Christian who has done absolutely nothing wrong.
Increasingly, every religion other than Christianity is tolerated, while Christianity is stifled.
What conclusion can one come to other than this: Christianity is not only true, it is exclusively true. Christianity teaches that there is an absolute good and an absolute evil. There is a Satan who seeks to destroy Christ and his metaphorical body: the Christian Church. Satan has no problem with any other religion. It is only Christianity that is under attack - because it is only Christianity that is true. The diabolocal game-plan could have come right out of the Screwtape Letters.
So deluded are the attackers of Christianity that they can actually argue with a straight face that a little girl's quarter-inch crucifix is dangerous.
Well, just maybe it is. The question is: "to whom?"
Think about it.
So deluded are the attackers of Christianity that they can actually argue with a straight face that a little girl's quarter-inch crucifix is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteWell, just maybe it is. The question is: "to whom?"
Think about it.
I get it. They're vampires!
All kidding aside, I think there is a lot of truth to what you argue. A lot. The spiritual battle side is very real. But I also think some of this is due to the fact that Christians are expected to give in more easily. You say no to a Muslim and you start a war. You say no to a Christian, and he or she gets a lesson in self-denial.
My first suggestion is prayer.
My second is deciding on how to expect pluralism to work in a society with a secular government. What kinds of arguments can we make about how to ensure fairness in such matters?
Somehow these have to be written in such a way that modern conditions are taken into account, but one religion doesn't get the short end of the stick. What is done to one faith is done to all of them. But I think more of these problems are polity problems of a different sort. The whole arrangement of public education politicizes all kinds of questions that wouldn't be political if schools were part of the market. People would have more choices. Instead these administrators are major public policy makers.
How to keep the real spiritual battle in mind alongside sober public policy is something that few seem to manage. Especially on one page.
Dear Solarblogger:
ReplyDeleteWise words, indeed! Prayer is always the first thing we ought to do, but is too often the last.
I do think a lot of institutions are intimidated by Muslims, and thus, as you say, cut them more slack. However, I doubt that Buddhists would face the same problems as Christians, although they are known for their pacifism. Of course, that's a speculation on my part.
Indeed, a lot of the problem is, as you point out, the difficulty of a pluralistic society combined with public (read: "government") schools. If the girl were attending a Catholic school, there would be no problem. Of course, there may be no Catholic school available, or the parents may not be able to afford it, so other than homeschooling, there may be no other choice but to send their daughter to a government school.
Perhaps privatizing education would be a solution. Perhaps a more common sense (libertarian) approach to dress codes and rules regarding religious regalia would be another.
Ot just doesn't seem like that difficult a problem to solve - unless, of course, one's judgment is clouded by hatred and/or Evil.
Thanks for posting your thoughtful comments!
Isn't it also interesting how the school allows the other religious dress because the religions require it? Isn't it also interesting how Christianity doesn't REQUIRE much of anything regarding dress ('cept that it be modest)? It's all about the Gospel here, and the freedom found within this Gospel. I am free to wear my crucifix (and I do) because Jesus died to give me that freedom. No law can save me, that's what Jesus did, and thus, there is no required regalia or jewelery to wear, but I do get to wear my crucifix. Just my 2 coppers.
ReplyDeleteI do think a lot of institutions are intimidated by Muslims, and thus, as you say, cut them more slack.
ReplyDeleteIntimidated, Bullied, etc.
Our society used to stand up to bullies. But we now pander to them. What has changed?