LETTERS: CHRISTIAN AMERICANS MUST REPEL THREATS

To the editor:

Today there is a major threat to our constitutional and God-given rights of freedom of religion, and it has made itself known right here in the heartland. It involves prayer in school (at graduation, before sporting events), the posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, the removal of religious symbols from city logos and the many other ways groups are using to stifle our freedom.

One thing is for sure: If we as Christians do not stand against the American Civil Liberties Union and wrong-headed Supreme Court justices, our greatest liberty will be taken away from us.

When tragedy strikes, our leaders call out for prayer, and no one argues the point. Both Clinton and Bush spoke of God and prayer during their wars, and not even the media criticized them for it. We could list many other tragedies around the nation where a common people has in one voice admitted the need for God.

At the same time, there has been a small but vocal group of people who not only do not believe but feel it's a duty to stop us from believing. It is this group that we must stand against. Now is the time for us to make a stand. Like Esther in the Old Testament, these words ring true today: "Who knows but that we are here for such a time as this."If more pastors/shepherds will not stand and lead us, then it will be up to the sheep to fight off the lions. If Christian politicians will not stand up and be counted on to follow through with what they were elected to do, then the sheep will have to join in and form a larger voting fold and elect some new, morally correct public officials who will not only tell the public what they will do, but will follow through and do it.

I challenge the majority of America to seriously consider the true Christian discipleship we are called to live out. For inspiration, look back on all of the Christian Americans who fought for their right of freedom to live out their faith through the very ways now being taken away.

This challenge was given by Joshua to God's people at the pivotal point in their walk of faith: "Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."You will notice there wasn't a moderate choice.

BRUCE COLLIER

Cape Girardeau