On Friday, I finished up my first “jury duty” requirements. It was neat to see how the court system worked and serve Nassau County. The case involved a guy who forged documents to get $$ from the 9/11 victims fund.
This weekend, I was in Washington DC, attending a conference on the media. The conference was kind of boring and most of it was “common sense.” Still, I appreciated being in the DC area. This was the first time I took the Amtrak to Washington DC. It is very convenient. The ride is quick and the leg room is plentiful. Being around Union Station reminded me of my internship with the Center for Christian Statesmanship last year.
Yesterday I skipped some of the conference lectures and went to Capitol Hill Baptist Church for Sunday worship. The church is really gospel centered and plays an important role in its powerful location. I was impressed with the simple yet profound testimonies of the members being baptized. Going to church was really relaxing and energizing. That night, it was much easier to share the good news of Christ with Diane. If at all possible, DON’T skip church on Sunday!
I stopped by the Supreme Court before coming home today. There was a Ten Commandments court case and I ended up talking with a proclaimed atheist for an hour. I talked with him about the Constitution, his religion, and my religion. And yes, his beliefs make up his religion. I explained that if the Constitution doesn’t require “separation of church and state” (in fact, that phrase is not in the constitution) why should the position of a minority religion dominate the majority in a democracy? However, fundamentally, I understand why he sees the constitution this way. He believes what he does because he seeks pleasure from his sinfulness and wants others to follow his way. (see the end of Romans 1.) I tried to end the talk more “gospel” oriented. I should have done a better job indicating that he was in fact a slave to sin…. not as free as he thought he was.
hey Peter!
I hope you enjoyed your trip to DC. I wasn’t involved into “jury” yet, but a preparation is mostly good – seeing it on television or reading about it in the newspaper, is not the same as being involved. Okay, lets see how this comment will get posted 🙂
And you believe what you do because you believe you are “right” and want others to follow your way. Some people allow for gray areas in between, compromise, and are open-minded to different opinions.
You are sinful of pride, believing that you are better than others because your religion is “right,” while theirs is wrong.
Even if your Christian god is the one true god, does it make you better because you were raised believing one thing over someone else who was raised believing something else? Do you think it is your free thinking that resulted in your agreeing with almost everything your parents and church believe?
Your pride leads you to try to convince other people to believe what you believe so you can create a larger majority. Maybe you seek pleasure in your sinfulness as well…
Dear Enjanerd,
I believe there is truth. Why do I talk with an atheist knowing that he has probably made up in his mind? Because I hope and pray that he will believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. I believe truth can change lives, and that accepting the truth is how we can find freedom from our sinful nature. Jesus Christ is mankind’s only hope.
I do not believe I am any better than others. On my own, I do not love God or others. Without God, I would still be in bondage to my sinful self. But God has taught me that I am loved, and how to love. I hope my interactions with others shows that I love them.