By Ramon Arias
When and Why Was the Church Gagged?
The church at about half way through the 20th Century is the culprit for allowing itself to be silenced. It sold its birthright just like Esau did for a “scrap of pottage.” The reason being that the federal government implemented a fiscal system that would authorize churches and non-profit organization to have a tax exempt status; it was great up to that point! Before 1954, churches had full liberty to speak and teach on any topic including politics. Texas Senator, Lyndon Baines Johnson, was being heavily attacked personally and he proposed in the nation’s Senate an amendment that would curtail the activities of non-profit organizations such as the one that was attacking him who had a tax-deductible status for being a 501(c)(3).
There are some that assure us that Senator Johnson’s intention was not to harm the churches, however it is obvious that there was no opposition or indignation in Congress for such a proposal. The worst of all matters it is that the church accepted to hand over its constitutional right of freedom of expression. This is how churches are silenced even to this day in relation to endorsing or rejecting a political candidate or public servant.
A Call to the Nation
Never doubt for a moment that social forces within our nation are fighting to eliminate biblical Christian influence from our society and leaving the platform wide-open for secular humanism to take center stage. Year after year the name of God and everything related to Him have been eliminated from public education institutions and the public square. The law is being used not only against the church but also against its citizens. Your passivity and indifference in the face of this reality will bring terrible consequences, do not contribute to this, you must act now.
Every person who cares about the future of the nation should not allow the muzzling of the church. Let us put an end to injustice; and defend the rights of your church and of your pastor.
Rest assured that maintaining freedom in the pulpits will not only be beneficial to the United States of America but also the entire world because of what God, by His Spirit, will do in this nation.
It is time for the church to show its interest and participation for the healing of our nation and its wholesome influence in the world.
«Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.» – Isaiah 60:1-3