“Don’t wear your religion on your sleeve!” Where else are you supposed to keep it? In your pocket?
I’m with you; I’m put off by hyper-spiritual, in-your-face, self-righteous, Bible Bushwhackers as much as the next guy. However, it does seem reasonable that if you have a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, and if you are fully convinced (which, by definition, every committed Christian should be) that He is the ultimate reality in life and eternity; it ought to show, at least a little. Wouldn’t you agree?
Secular proponents want it both ways. They chide believers for being out-front, then grumble when they don’t act, in their words, “very Christian”. Which is it? Do you want clandestine Christians or consistent ones?
“Sinners” are under no such restraint. They freely flaunt their lifestyle with reckless abandon, with societal sanction! … But I digress….
Gaining popularity in contemporary culture is the notion that faith has no place in the public square. Hence, no prayer before football games, no mentioning God in graduation speeches, and remove the historic cross from the park or city seal. United States Senators aggressively challenge judicial appointees in confirmations squarely on the basis that being persons of faith disqualifies them from being impartial and fair jurists.*** (Revisionists may therefore prefer to delete portions of George Washington’s Farewell Address, President Lincoln dedicating the National Motto, “In God We Trust”, and FDR praying over public airwaves upon the D-Day Invasion, to cite merely a few.)
I find it ironic that in times of National peril, such as 911, Congress stood on the steps of the Capitol and boldly sang, “God Bless America”. Then retired inside and promptly pondered legislation constricting religious expression.
Jesus, who himself died (a public execution) for his beliefs, succinctly addressed this thorny issue, “Let your light shine that men may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
1Senator Diane Feinstein, September 6, 2017 to Judge Amy Coney Barret, (A practicing Roman Catholic) “When you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you…”
2Senator Bernie Sanders, June 7, 2017 angrily disputed Evangelical Christian Russell Vought, nominee for Deputy Director of White House Office of Management and Budget, over his personal theological beliefs.
3In fair representation of alternative viewpoint: during January 9, 2017 Confirmation Hearings for Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General, the following discourse ensued, “When asked by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse if a secular person has "just as good of a claim to understanding the truth as a person who is religious," Sessions replied that he was "not sure.” (Transcript from Secular Coalition for America).