A small group of refugees have moved into our little farm town, bringing their Islamic beliefs with them. I heard just this week that they are hoping to build a mosque south of the tracks and have petitioned the school board to allow their youth to take moments out of class during the day for their regular pray times.
It’s a stretching sort of challenge and it made me think of Thomas Helwys. Thomas was a 17th century Englishman at the forefront of the resistance that later birthed the Pilgrims and Puritans.
Thomas wrote a treatise for King James (yes, the one who commissioned the famous Bible translation) entitled A Short Declaration of the Mystery of Iniquity, which detailed his stand on religious freedom, the right of the individual (as opposed to the state) to interpret the Bible for himself, and the separation of church and state. In those days, the king saw himself as the head of the church and freely made laws affecting individual piety. Tithing and even the version of prayer book were dictated by the state.
You could go to prison for withholding from the offering plate or using the wrong hymnal.
Thomas died for religious freedom. King James offered to set him free the moment he recanted, but Thomas refused. He died in Newcastle Prison, passionate to the end for the right to worship without state control.
As I think about this Muslim group who wishes to take their religion into our school system, I am torn. Many in our community are angry – not a bad thing. In some cases, they are being forced to make a religious stand.
I know that, if the Muslims are allowed to disrupt class time for prayer time, that the Christians in our community will queue behind with requests for noontime Bible studies and permission to prayer walk the halls.
It’s an interesting can of worms. As followers of Jesus, we need to know something of our own history. Helwys and others died for religious freedom – for all religions. Helwys was wise enough to know that when we give the state permission to deny one, we have opened the floodgates for the state to regulate all.
What say you? Is our stand to deny other religions? Or to use the freedoms they demand for our own gain?
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5 comments:
You have to admire this group for asking. So often, we Christians grumble and gripe but do not ask, do not press to worship in the public arena.
And how often do Christians, as a whole, neglect to worship in private?
I say follow on the coattails of the Muslims and fight for equal rights for prayer walks and Bible studies on school grounds. I also say, open your Bibles and read them around your dinner table.
Kate
These issues always perplex me. I think because I have no idea how to respond to them. I suppose I am not sure how I would unless it was thrown at me like in your instance. Praying God will give you clear insight into what to do.
Much love,
Angela
I think if our country is going to subscribe to seperation of church (religion) and state, than that applies to any and all religions. If our country is going to allow one religion to practice in school, all religions should be allowed to. Not trying to be wishy-washy about it. If we allow one religion to practice during school, all religions should then be allowed to. Going to get kind of crazy, I would imagine! It will be interesting.
This is a hard one indeed, Kathy. The Lord give all of you wisdom.
I have to admit, it is hard for me to think of Islam being given free range in our country now or at any time. I want to respect others, but I just find it difficult--sorry. Maybe I wouldn't feel it so keenly if we ourselves weren't so far from the Christian ideals we once had. May the Lord be merciful. Yes, sensitive issue.
By the way, when I say "we ourselves" I am not referring to any particular individuals but to America.
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