Keeping it secular: The greatest myth since the enlightenment

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor,

     The Des Moines Register recently published “‘Bible literacy’ course moves forward,” discussing a bill, which if passed by the Iowa Legislature, would direct the Department of Education to provide standards for classes on the Bible. Of course there is the question of whether we should allow this but not allow the Quran and other religious texts to be taught.

     But the real issue here is the idea that the Bible could possibly be studied in a neutral way. This little bit from the article sticks out to me: “I have no opposition at all to having the Bible taught,” said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, noting the Supreme Court has weighed in on the issue and authorized academic courses on the Bible in public schools so long as they don’t veer into religious instruction.” But this is the problem. You can’t not “veer into religious instruction” when you read and teach the Bible.

     The greatest myth our society has been fed is the idea that God and religion can be neutral. This idea comes from the Enlightenment, which turned God into some clockmaker who lets the universe tick but isn’t very much involved. This means that what is REALLY important is that we humans band together and not get too uptight about who God really is. What matters is that we believe in “God.” So we proudly say together, “One nation under God.” But which G(g)od? Are we talking about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? The Mormon god? Mohamed’s god? Well, according to our secular culture, all that matters is that you believe in something of a god. So the Bible is no longer seen as the living Word of God piercing through bone and marrow, exposing the lies of men to reveal the mercy of Christ, the only true God, who died for our sins. No, it is only one of the many options, and we need to be fair with the others.

     But should we promote lies? The First Amendment isn’t some golden truth that there actually is not truth. It is rather a policy which allows people to discuss and argue over what is true. Just because Congress should make no law establishing or prohibiting an official religion, doesn’t mean that the citizens should pretend that all religions are the same. We have learned that it’s wrong to tell someone that he’s wrong. So keep your religious assertions in the pulpit and the living room! And the result is that we become a bunch of cowards afraid to take a stand on whether or not the Bible is true. As Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve!” As Elijah said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” If a teacher is going to teach the Bible, then he needs to take a stand either for it or against it. Otherwise he is like lukewarm water that needs to be spit out. But if the teacher takes a stand for one or the other, then be prepared to defend it! The myth that we can all be neutral is the lie of secularism. Whether we are Christians, Jews, Muslims, conservative, liberal, or we claim to be atheists, we all have religious opinions. So let’s assert them and discuss them! That makes for a better culture. May the truth prevail.

Rev. Reed Stockman

Monticello, Iowa

 

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