By Brittany Pounders
Clash Daily Guest Contributor
I’m often an observer of the some of the greatest ire in modern day politics. Primarily a front row seat to a block of people who are quite active in regards to their opinions but utterly worthless when it matters: Christians. And there has been nothing short of outrage, as well there should be, at the potential loss of religious liberty we are seeing in regards to the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case- in which a precedence is on the verge of being set where you can be fined for your religious expression.
But this piece isn’t so much about the Hobby Lobby case as it is for the blatant and disgusting apathy taking place within the church today. Facebook statuses and twitter postings are rampant with clever anti-liberal pictures and rantings from like-minded friends and acquaintances. People who know I’m involved in politics at different levels will always want to stop and talk about how awful the Obama administration is and how “we’ve got to get this person and his cronies in Congress out of office.” I agree– heaven knows, I definitely agree.
However, when the rhetoric dies down and I ask how they are personally getting involved I often just get blank stares in return and a sputtering excuse that they “promise to vote”. The passion and enthusiasm often doesn’t match the efforts. And too frequently, it doesn’t even involve them getting off their couches during the election- especially if it’s a primary.
I have the privilege of attending a church where our pastor isn’t afraid to speak out on the moral political issues of our day. It’s a rarity unfortunately in this day and age and so I certainly don’t take that kind of pastoral courage for granted. And, each time he preaches on a political topic that strikes a chord in the congregation, you can expect a rousing and passionate response.
However, I was sobered this week as I looked around and realized that while my fellow church members seem to reflect the same patriotic love and fervor as my own family, only about 50% of them cared enough about what was happening in this country to even register to vote. More appalling and disheartening is the fact that out of those 50%, only 50% of THOSE registered, even ever make it to the voting booths! Why are Christians some of the leading groups sitting out and failing to do their duties as Americans and getting out to vote their values? This is truly a silent majority– a pathetically shameful silent majority at that!
The Christian voting block has gotten great at sitting at home and griping about the turn of events and the fact that our religious liberties are being stolen. But where are these people when it’s time to show up and vote? New information showed that during our primary season here in Texas, only 8.9% of my county showed up to pull a lever on their candidates. I find that appalling. I live in Texas, the Bible belt. My county would be considered largely affluent, very diverse, but very conservative. And yet, they STAYED HOME!
Where is the sense of responsibility that Christians have to protect and carry forward the principles birthed by our Founding Fathers?
The high price that our Founders had to consider for a cause that seemed almost impossible to pull off would be inconsiderable to most people today. They faced the loss of everything dear- their children, wives, families, friends, careers, reputations and their own lives. It was undoubtedly assured to them that the moment they put pen to paper and signed their names on that Declaration of Independence they would be forever labeled a traitor.
This cause needs you! There is a struggle right now within our country between good and evil. Tyranny is being forced down our throats everywhere we turn. The Powers That Be want to control your every decision, from how much toilet paper we can use, to what our thermostat has to be set at, to what light bulb we use, what cars we are allowed to drive, how much salt we are allowed to consume, all the way to who determines our healthcare needs and the value of each of our individual lives! We are being taxed and regulated to death and freedom dies a little bit each time Congress shows up to work.
Socialism and communism creep in ever so quietly while we are too busy “playing life” and enjoying the benefits of freedom, never recognizing the erosion whittling away the heritage our parents and grandparents fought for. Your grandparents and parents won’t be around forever to keep “the powers that be” from raping our inheritance of Freedom and what has been their war is soon to be ours!
You hold power, whether you realize it or not, and you can be effective if you make the decision to be. Be examples of leadership to your children so that one day they can look back and be proud that mom and dad stood up for what they believed in, that they were willing to make their voices heard whether it was popular or not. I want my kids to be able to look back with respect and know without a doubt that their mom did her best to further the cause of freedom and liberty for them to enjoy with their children.
In closing I leave you with a quote from Reverend Charles Finney made in the early 1800′s:
“It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation are becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they think God does not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it, and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course [Christians] take [in politics].”
Wake up, Church!
Brittany Pounders is Co-Founder of www.LibertyJuice.com and has been an active proponent for the conservative movement in Fort Bend County and the State of Texas. She was a delegate to the Texas Republican Convention in 2010 and in 2012. More recently, she attended the GOP National Convention and worked with some of the most talented people involved with the Romney/Ryan campaign.
* You can follow Brittany Pounders on Twitter at @LibertyBritt.
