Bucket Drops – Post Christmas Edition

Several interesting stories from last week along with a few notables from this week.

Religion is good for America, authors argue

Note that the title indicates the authors aren’t saying Christianity is good for America, but rather religion as a general statement of faith.  This article is troubling on many fronts.  First is the finding that many Americans (1 in 4) change religions with relative ease.  Next, is the statement that “Americans don’t think their friends and family are damned if they belong to other religions – or none.”  Quite troubling here is the ignorance of John 14:6 in which Jesus plainly states He is the way, meaning singular.  All paths do lead to God, but only the path of Christ leads to heaven, while all the others face the wrath of God through an eternal sentence to hell.  Finally, what the authors term the “Aunt Susan principle” states that the “sweetest, kindest, nicest person” (Aunt Susan) which we all have in our family is sure to go to heaven if anyone is.  Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, regardless of who is nice or good.  Just another reminder of the reality of Gospel ignorance that continues to plague this country. 

Second ‘Homosexuality is a Sin’ Preacher awarded Damages for Wrongful Arrest

The second instance of a Christian preacher arrested for speaking out against homosexuality in England this year, a disturbing “trend” to say the least.  The first occurred back in May.  Subsequently both have been cleared of wrong doing, but the precedent of arrest has been made.  It’s simply a matter of time before legal wrangling leaves them at the mercy of the court.  If you want to know the direction America is heading in regarding religious freedoms and the escalation of atheism, just keep an eye on Great Britain. 

Americans Celebrate Christmas: To many, however, it’s devoid of religious meaning…

I think this is why I take such a strong stand on the use of Xmas, consumerism, and the proliferation of Santa Claus.  Largely Christmas isn’t just celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, it’s nearly just as much a secular holiday as it is a religious one.  This LifeWay Research survey revealed that 9 in 10 Americans celebrate Christmas including 89 percent of agnostics and those who claim no religious preference, 62 percent of those claiming other religions, 55 percent atheists, and 97 percent of ‘Christians’.  I found it interesting that the survey showed ‘Christians’ are the most likely to enjoy elements of Christmas not related to the birth of Christ (66%).  Finally, the importance of Santa in American households came in at 38%, with ‘Christians’ making up the majority (42%), followed by agnostics (27%), other religions (22%), and 18% of atheists.  Though I’m not a fan of all the polls that so many “Christian” institutes produce, they often do give a glimpse inside the minds of America. 

Commentator Tucker Carlson: Vick should’ve been ‘executed’

If you haven’t seen this bit of disturbing commentary from professing ‘Christian’ Tucker Carlson, he seems to have either forgotten or neglected to read Matthew 6:14-15 and Matthew 18:21-22.  I agree with the statement that America is a nation of second chances, so maybe someone should remind Mr. Carlson that this is the same country where a billionaire golfer who had multiple illicit affairs was glamorized post-“confession”, a N.Y. Governor engaged in prostitution got his own television show, and those are just 2 of the many recent examples.  Meanwhile a repentant convicted felon, who served the time given to him by the state, should have been executed for killing dogs?  Talk about double standards.  “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”

Christianity Today’s top-10 Evangelical news stories of 2010

An interesting look at some stories that highlighted 2010.

Christian Leaders say Green Movement is False Relgion

Perhaps even more interesting was this research that identified Rick Warren as a major figure in the Green Movement.  Coincidental that he’s involved and it’s being identified as a false religion?  No, I don’t think so.

SAD?

Finally, here is a helpful video to encourage those of us dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

 

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as dust on the scales; behold he takes up coastlands like fine dust.” Isaiah 40:15

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About the author

Christian saved by grace through faith.

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