There are certain topics I really hate discussing on my show - not because I'm afraid of controversy or because I know some people will strongly disagree, but because no matter how clear I explain my opinion, there will be those who will vehemently disagree without even taking time to understand the topic. These are the people who hear what they want to hear and refuse to consider anything beyond what they have been told to believe.
Today, I talked about one of those topics and it is bothersome that some people refuse to hear the real argument.
A new club at an elementary school in Lebanon, CT begins meetings next month. The "After School Satan Club" has sparked great controversy, as you can imagine. Amy Bourdon, who is part of a local parents choice advocacy group, is outraged that the Satan club is opening at an elementary school. "They're trying to use events like this to recruit children at a young age and steer them away from religion," Bourdon said.
The "After School Satan Club" is calling for equal treatment, since the elementary school currently hosts a Christian club after school. "We're not changing the politics here. This is something people should've recognized from the start," said Lucien Greaves of the Satanic Temple.
Here is where I want to set the record straight: I presented the argument that IF a Christian group is allowed to meet, then equal consideration should be given to other beliefs, including the "After School Satan Club." I DO NOT support the Satan club, but recognize that the promotion of Christianity in a public school invites equal acceptance of other beliefs.
As a Christian, I do not believe public schools, which represent the United States government, should push Christianity unless they also open the door for Islam, belief in Satan, or any set of beliefs to be equally represented.
The problem comes when some people fail to understand the argument and all they hear is support of an after school Satan group without understanding the first part, which is IF a Christian group can exist then a Satan group can exist.
As a Christian, I am not in favor of The Ten Commandments being displayed on government property because that creates the need to allow any other - or all - religions to display their beliefs.
A somewhat regular caller into my talk show on WWL named Janice was one of those who only heard support of a Satan group. But what Janice and some others failed to understand is that a Satan group would have the right to meet IF a Christian group is allowed to meet on school grounds.
The conversation with this caller continued because she quickly became symbolic of those Americans who only see the world through their Christian eyes. The caller knows Jesus and that Jesus is good and Satan is evil, therefore Jesus should be in public schools. The concept of separation of church and state doesn't see it that way. Allowing one religion - even if it's the religion you believe in - leads to other religious beliefs being represented. When the caller brought up her belief in Jesus I asked "What about the Jews? Are they not allowed in America?" She instantly responded that of course they belong in America. So then everyone doesn't have to believe in Jesus the way Christians believe in Jesus.
Janice then brought up the idea that "we can't say Merry Christmas anymore," to which I quickly reminded her that we can say Merry Christmas and there was never a time when we couldn't wish people Merry Christmas. I continued the conversation because the caller continued to represent those Americans that have a false sense of fear that the alleged "War On Christmas" has taken away our Christian rights to celebrate Christmas. The caller was unable to name anything that she can no longer do in relation to the celebration of Christmas.
The alleged "War On Christmas" was promoted heavily on The Fox News Channel as a way of frightening Americans into believing that their Christian values were being taken from them, but the government has done nothing to stop American families from celebrating Christmas - even an old-fashioned Christmas.
Enjoy the full conversation with Janice and remember that I AM A CHRISTIAN that respects other religions and atheists, who have a right to be Americans!
