Posted: 05/02/06

Acknowledgment is not Establishment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…1st amendment US Constitution

I see signs of life.  Southern Baptists leaders are once again calling for the development of an exit strategy from government schools.  You should read Albert Mohler's powerful commentary on the need to remove our kids from government schools.

And it appears the tide may be turning in the 10 Commandments battle.  Maybe Christians are beginning to wake-up. 

Our recent trip to Danbury taught us one very clear truth.  Americans have become embarrassingly ignorant regarding history, especially the real truths behind this nation's clearly-Christian foundation.  How is it we have come to believe such obvious miss-information?

One of the casualties of the American education system is the decimation of the student's ability to think critically.  Education today is nothing more than regurgitation of facts, with little emphasis on the application of those facts.  Children are taught what to think, not how to think.  Second level thinking is almost extinct.  No consideration is given to opposing views and why they may have credibility.  Real education would present both sides of an issue and open up the discussion to the pros and cons of each.  However, that would not help test scores, and we all told that these are the true measure of educational progress.

Which brings me to "the establishment clause" so readily quoted by our courts, and dutifully obeyed by tax-paying Christians.  "That is a violation of the establishment clause," pundits like to spew.  But let's think a minute.  I've heard of violating a law, but how does one violate a clause?  

So, as usual, I went to the dictionary: 

Establishment-- recognized by law as the official church of a nation or state and

supported by civil authority.

Acknowledgement--the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged;

"the partners were delighted with the recognition of their work";

There is a world of difference between acknowledgement and establishment. Why do we let anyone tell us that they are the same?  When will Christian-Americans once again begin to think?

Let me give you some examples.  Establishment: recognized by law.

• The Constitution was established.
• Governments are established.
• Corporations are established.
• Laws are established.
• Organizations are established.
• Religions are established.

What are some things that are acknowledged, or recognized?

• Religious beliefs are acknowledged.
• Race and ethnicity are acknowledged.
• Culture and tradition are acknowledged.
• Birthdays are acknowledged.
• Holidays are acknowledged.
• History is acknowledged.  You can't establish history.

Celebrating Christmas in government schools is acknowledgement, not establishment.  Prayer at graduation is acknowledgment, not establishment.  Posting the 10 Commandments is acknowledgment, not establishment.  Teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman is acknowledgment, not establishment.  Teaching that Jesus died on the cross is acknowledgment, not establishment.  Why is celebrating Kwanza acknowledgment, but singing "Silent Night" an establishment?  If February is Black History Month, when is Christian History Month?

Can't you see what is going on?  The secularists want to re-write history by eliminating all mention of God.  George Orwell warned us, "He who controls the past, controls the future.  And he, who controls the present, controls the past."

During football season Ohio State-Michigan week is unbelievable in my home state of Ohio, almost a religious expression, really.  The Michigan fans, though few, are vocal.  Good-natured ribbing takes place before and after the game, and no one feels his rights were violated. 

In Ohio, upwards of 90% identify themselves as Buckeye fans.  That does not mean every person living in Ohio must root for Ohio State.  It does, however, let you know that if you are a Michigan fan, you are in the minority.  You are welcome to wear the Maize and Blue jersey, but don't expect the rest of Ohio to stop wearing the Scarlet and Gray.  Ohio is Buckeye country.  Acknowledged, but not yet established.  Don't like it?  Move to Michigan.

According to recent polls 85% of Americans identify themselves as Christian.  Just because 15% of the population doesn't want to wear the Christian jersey doesn't mean the rest of us should have to take our jersey off.   We want to acknowledge our Christian roots, not establish them.

We are losing this nation, because we are losing our heritage.   We have forgotten who we are.

It is great that the Southern Baptist Convention is fighting for children.  It is awesome that some judges are finally beginning to see the light.  But once again, we are missing the boat.   Why should Christians have to pull their kids out of the government schools?  Christians pay for those schools.   Refusing to go to the OSU-Michigan game is my prerogative, but should I have to buy the ticket if I don't go to the game?   Baptists have bought the government-school ticket.  Why should they have to go start their own game?

The secular-Taliban wants to force us to wear their uniform.  They want their no-religion team to be established, and they have 85%-majority-Christian-Americans bound-up, afraid of violating a clause.

If I can figure it out, why can't our elected officials?  Simple.  They are men with large heads, and small chests.

 Immigration laws are established, yet millions of Mexicans are ignoring them.  They tell us that America is a nation of immigrants, (acknowledgment) so they want citizenship (establishment).   Law breakers won't follow laws, yet Christians follow clauses!

We are a Christian nation (acknowledgement), which believes in freedom of religion (establishment).  We want our children taught our founding Truths (acknowledgement), with freedom of dissent (establishment).  We are "endowed by our creator" with certain rights, (acknowledgement) and we demand the rights for all citizens, regardless of faith (establishment).  God is above government (acknowledgement), and not below it (establishment).  Some things are wrong (acknowledgment), and we make laws against them (establishment).  Evolution and creationism are both theories (acknowledgment), but schools want to teach evolution only (establishment).  The First Amendment grants freedom OF religion (acknowledgment), not freedom FROM religion (establishment). 

Let's put the 10 Commandments back up.  Let's restore Truth to our children.  Let's not be ashamed to acknowledge our roots. 

Let's put on our jersey and get in the game!

By Coach Dave Daubenmire Email: coach@ptsalt.com Click here for bio and archived articles