The debate

is on again. Hot and heavy. Should we teach religion in

schools?

Should we

teach a creation theory along with evolution? Should the

Ten Commandments hang in a classroom? Should we pray in

public schools?

Just how

serious are we about our faith? Is religion important to

us? Does it matter that we educate the youth of our land

about their religious choices?

I'm dead

serious about my faith. My religion is very important to

me. And of course we should educate our youth about the

many religions! (Yes, such education should begin in the

home; but no, it should not end there.)

I am not

saying that only Christianity should be taught in our

classrooms. Absolutely not. Any and all religions should

be addressed.

Their

histories should be explored. Their great leaders should

be recognized.

Never would

I endorse any program, agenda or curriculum that limits a

person's freedoms to choose this day whom he or she will

worship or serve.

And in

order to make choices we need to understand what our

choices are.

Columbine

shook this country with a shaking that was long overdue.

Parents are paying more attention to their children than

they have in years. There is a movement across this land

to turn again to the God of our fathers for guidance,

mercy and salvation.

Sometimes,

the corners we find ourselves backed into are the best

place to be since it is only then that we grow willing to

look inward and upward.

It is a sad

day in America when children killing children are what's

finally causing us to pause, search our hearts, and pray.

And where's

the killing taking place? In our public schools, of

course. So, do I condone the teaching of religion in

those schools, even it means all religions and not just

mine will be taught. You are darn tootin' I do. Always

have. Always will.

When I was

in high school, I chose on my own to read and study about

every religion I ever heard of. That effort, and my

observations in the years since, have caused me to

appreciate many things about faiths that differ from

mine.

But my

faith has long been in Jesus Christ as my savior. It is

my heart's desire that He be Lord of my life, though that

struggle never ends... I did not enter into this ongoing

relationship with Jesus blindly. I knew my options.

I am fully

aware how Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the

only way to salvation and I know the Scriptures

reasonably well. I cannot imagine where I would be today

without the influence God's Word has had in my life.

So, you

would think I would want only Christianity taught and

only my Bible read in our schools. Not so!

You see,

the God I have come to know and love and worship is not

wimp. He can hold his own with all the rest. So let the

stories be told. Let the various religions have their

place in our classrooms.

Let the

discussions begin. Let the questions be asked. Because

when it all starts happening openly and freely somebody

will tell the story of Jesus.

Recall with

me the words of the old hymn:

Tell me

the story of Jesus,

Write on

my heart every word;

Tell me

the story most precious,

The

sweetest that ever was heard.

I don't

care if the one telling the story believes it or not.

Just let it be told. And if it can only be heard along

with the stories of all other religious leaders so much

the better. Jesus Christ can outshine all the

competition. I know. I'm not worried. If you are, then

maybe you need to start telling the story more often

yourself...

Nothing

gives me more joy than telling the story of Jesus Christ

as I know it and as it has affected my life. In such

telling I have entered into many discussions with

individuals who sincerely want to better understand their

religious choices. Searching hearts have the right to ask

what makes one faith more desirable than another.

Indeed, let

the debates continue. Let the classrooms ring with

discussion.

The truth

will find its way to the surface like a life preserver in

an ocean of confusion and many lost and drowning souls

will see it, grab hold, and be saved. Where Jesus Christ

does not fear to tread neither should we.

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