I can hardly go to any news source these days -- at least any conservative media outlet -- without discovering another example of the escalating assault on the Christian faith. Often, it's a case of discrimination against Christian businessmen and women who simply want to run their businesses by moral principles. Ironically, Christians are the ones who are routinely labeled "intolerant" in this politically correct age.
I think writer Teddy James hits the nail on the head when he draws a parallel between Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel The Scarlet Letter and the current cultural cauldron in which liberals leap to impose the scarlet letter syndrome on Christians. A barrage of vehement voices out there would sing for joy if Christians were, indeed, required to wear a large, bright red I on their clothing.
James writes in "Conviction Costs," his feature story in the September issue of AFA Journal that in Hawthorne's novel, "Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet A on her clothing as a public declaration of her sin, adultery. Modern America has a new scarlet letter -- I for intolerant."
He profiles four beleaguered business owners who have been targeted by the arrows of zealots in the pro-gay activist movement: Elaine Huguenin, owner of Elaine Photography in New Mexico; Baronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene's Flowers in Washington state; Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips in Colorado; and Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy.
I recall recent examples of anti-Christian bias rearing its ugly head beyond the business community as well. There's the Tennessee high school senior who was suspended from class after saying "Bless you" to a classmate who sneezed. Then the U.S. Navy bowed down to anti-religious protesters and removed Bibles from Navy guest rooms worldwide. Fortunately, saner minds prevailed in this case, and after a deluge of public outcry, the Navy has reversed that policy, and presumably Bibles are being returned to the guest rooms. But the Navy's knee-jerk reaction (to Freedom From Religion Foundation) was untenable and irrational to begin with.
These incidents represent a long list, a list that I suspect is certain to grow much longer, as Christians are increasingly relegated to second class citizenship.
Read James's story by clicking HERE
