Concerning: “Satanic Invocation at Public Event Made a Powerful Argument“, January the 21st :
Edwin Lyngar’s opinion piece cannot be allowed to pass without a response from a solid and mature perspective. Regarding the Washoe County Commission encounters Satanic invocationjust as Lyngar “looked on with great amusement,” I read his response the same way.
Lyngar’s opinion is hypocritical and deserves a response that reflects tolerance and truth. Given the religious and political elements of his article, this response is in part a defense of Christianity and conservative principles. This is my opinion without authority or intention to speak on behalf of all Christians.
Any invocation during a governmental proceeding is clearly a mixture of religion and government. We cannot separate the two because our government and laws, according to many accounts and interpretations, are Judeo-Christian based and therefore Christian in leaning. Fortunately, the First Amendment to the Constitution respects the limits of both.
THE First Amendment States, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or restrict freedom of expression or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This makes not nor does it require “keeping religion entirely out of government” as Lyngar falsely claims. It rightly protects free religion – yes, even satanic religion, if that’s a thing.
Fundamentally, the question is how to respect the Constitution and honor all religions in good faith. We are better served by both in that we must allow any religious invocation while accepting constitutional law. Balancing the two tells me to leave the room or ignore any satanic invocations. The Constitution also allows impromptu quotation of the Lord’s Prayer in response to the satanic invocation without the same condemnation, as was the case at the Commission meeting. Obviously, some or many might be offended by a satanic prayer, just as Lyngar is offended by any religious prayer.
But let’s delve deeper into his claims that “the same conservative Christians offended by satanic invocations attempt to remove from the public library any book or event that offends their version of Christianity.” Every book? Really, that’s what he claims. Fundamentally, the issue for libraries is free access to adult books and materials that are inappropriate for children. Library staff policy is that they leave it up to parents to decide what is acceptable, but there are no restrictions on access to children whose parents can prevent or approve access. Essentially, the library leaves the choice up to parents; Yet when it comes to other liberal gender identity policies, for example, parents are left out or upset. Hypocrisy? Placing inappropriate books in an adults-only section of the library does not reflect Christian authority as he suggests, but rather conservative principles. Our conservative society requires us to protect the innocent and our children.
What bothers some on the left is arguably their contempt for religion and the Constitution, as both have limits on conduct and behavior while still promoting respect and justice. It is not always easy to live within religious or constitutional boundaries; however, it is our obligation to society and it is better than the easy alternative of liberalism.
Lyngar’s next attempt to insult Christians is his statement: “It’s Christianity that worships Trump, guns and America way above frail old Jesus.” » Trump’s maligned concept of worship is lost in the attempted insult, but implies that his version of liberalism is somehow governed by a concept of political rather than religious worship. We don’t worship him or anyone, just “frail old Jesus.”
Finally, Lyngar could be well served to stop and park the anti-Christian Road Rage car. The characterization of “ultra-conservative, anti-gay Christianity” is closed-minded. Some have friends, colleagues and family members who are gay. The Christian faith shows us that we are all children of God and that we must be judged according to God’s calling, and no one else. However, what is most worrying is the relentless expansion of liberalism’s depravity and moral decadence and that is what we will fight against. So when prayers are extended, it’s not that they become anti-gay or anything; instead they find Christianity, and yes, conservatism, and abandon the misery of liberalism. Perhaps lighting a prayer candle will relieve Lyngar of the darkness.
Michael Smith is a retired naval officer and airline pilot.
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