The crowd would have been larger last Saturday when 20,000 people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D. C. in support of atheism had it not rained. Some of the speakers were absent but still sent videos to support the effort to mock Christianity. Speakers included Bill Maher, Adam Savage (co-host of Mythbusters) and David Silverman (president of American Atheists). Silverman praised those associated with him who storm faith barricades and bring “unpopular but necessary” lawsuits. He called for “zero tolerance” for anyone who disagrees with or insults atheism.
The featured speaker was Richard Dawkins, the renowned physicist and advocate of atheism. He called upon all those assembled not only to challenge religious people but to “ridicule and show contempt” for their religious doctrines and sacraments. His words were obviously received with great enthusiasm by those assembled to hear him.
The fact that all this could happen shows how openly our faith is being attacked. Those of us who have a respect for God as a creator and as the absolute standard for morality have become open targets for comedians and for many in the news media. We are truly faced with great challenges.
It is amazing how moral issues have become the focus of political conflict. Every Christian is confronted with decisions about those who support gay marriages, the rights of parents to teach morality to their children, abortion and the right to openly practice our faith. Years ago the issues had to do with international relations, freedom in distant lands and democracy, but such issues are no longer in the forefront. For Christians, the central issue is morality! It is greater than the display of the Bible and prayer in schools. It is an attack against the fundamental values of righteousness.
These problems are not just related to Washington, but they are found all around us. Yet far too many Christians are hesitant to speak in the marketplace, during coffee breaks at work, at the gym, and among their friends when words which cause great joy in hell are being spoken by others. Remember that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). In the absence we create from our timidity, the shouts from hell will be the only thing heard!
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord . . . take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand” (2 Tim. 1:8; Eph. 6:13).