The Tyranny of God


The headline below is nonsensical - but here are the bones of the story:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15277079/trump-high-court-quietly-turns-challenge-sex-marriage.html

In actuality,  there is no "Tyranny of God".   There is only the tyranny of man who presumes to speak for God.  And in the case above,  a Kentucky court worker presumed to speak for God - and for her insolence, she will be punished.

I have always stood firm regarding this principle:  

Your conviction requires your sacrifice, and not mine. So if your conviction is that marriage is a union blessed by God when that union is heterosexual, hold fast to your belief.  But conviction without personal sacrifice is no conviction at all.  Ms. Davis tried to force her opinion on another by refusing to fulfill the demands of her job.  And as my Daddy always drilled into my head, "There is a fine line between faith and foolishness." 

God was not paying Kim Davis' paycheck.  It was the State of Kentucky. And the moment she superimposed her belief over the will of the state, she engaged dereliction of duty. 

She did have a choice in this matter.  She could offer her resignation and leave with a clean conscience. And then she could suffer for her faith. The Bible commends those that choose to do so.  Hebrews chapter 11 is a bold statement regarding faith in God.  

https://www.esv.org/Hebrews+11/

It is breathtaking in scope and the thought actually concludes in Hebrews 12:1.  We are reminded that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses". The whole thing is very Shakespearean and was breathed into life by the Spirit of God.  That is what makes it so cool!

But perhaps Ms. Davis is unaware of the Biblical admonition in the book of Romans. This is meant to ground us in our faith - remind us that we ought not think too highly of ourselves.

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by god."  Romans 13: 1 (NIV)

I have taken note that some of the worst of the Bible-quoting citizens are the ones who have never read the complete text - nor gleaned the wisdom which is found in its pages.  As a Christian, I have read the Bible many times. It is a treasure chest.

But it is not just the well-meaning Christians....

I believe that Islam has an even greater propensity toward the tyranny of man who presumes to speak for God. Because Islam is a government which uses religion as a locus of control.  This attempt at control can be seen  within our public squares, schools, and places of employment. 

So if your are a Muslim in America and applying for a job which has a dress code that does not allow hijab as an option - your conviction requires your sacrifice.  If you are a student, you cannot insist on a prayer room and presume we should bend to your will and release you from class to perform your prayers. You have freedom of religion. But this also means we have the freedom not to be bothered by your religion when it comes to public practice.   And if attending a mosque, it is tyranny if you insist in power-projecting your beliefs across the airspace five times a day.  These "victims"-turned-agitators should also be brought to account for the tyranny of self-righteousness which makes demands against our well-established institutions, and way of life.  America does not belong to you. It belongs to all of us.  So assimilate. Learn to get along.

There is no tyranny of God.  There is only the tyranny of man who presumes to speak for and know God's will.

Let's be Americans first in the public square and within our institutions.  And let us (with joy) celebrate the traditions of our faith within our homes and houses of worship.  But may we never infringe upon the rights of others to live... to love... to make choices regarding food and drink, fashion, and how to conduct their own lives in a peaceful and respectful manner.

This is America.  Freedom must be safeguarded.  Because I do know deep down in my heart, that God wants man to be free.

Tammy's note:  I believe homosexuality is a sin. I do not support same-sex marriage, nor do I believe that it is in the best interest of children to be adopted by gay couples.  But I also believe that America remains the last great place where freedom prevails.  So I leave it to God to deal with each man's heart. It is His job description.  This task does not belong to me. smile



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