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By Paul Proctor
October 26, 2004
NewsWithViews.com
If you look on the back of any denomination of US currency, you will see in bold print across the top center of each bill, the well-known axiom �In God We Trust.� What an amazing thing to inscribe on the world�s most coveted creation of man. As if to mock the Almighty, we mindlessly carry out transactions each day for goods and services offering one another an ink-stamped platitude as fraudulent as the paper it�s printed on.
How this nation finds comfort and security in a religious clich� that is taken for granted but seldom to heart, I�ll never know. It�s a bit like taking solace in a life preserver floating nearby out in the Pacific. We�re not really holding on to it; we�re just happy knowing its out there somewhere should the waves and currents become too much for us to handle. In the meantime, we spend our days at sea trying to impress each other by treading water with our latest survival techniques, as if we could keep it up indefinitely.
I find the similarities between our country�s currency and �Christianity� curious. Both are widely accepted parodies of the past that now drift on a sea of relativism with values that have depreciated dramatically over the years along with the culture and its cravings. But because the deterioration has spanned several decades, few can really appreciate what has been lost.
Sin, like debt, no longer bears the same social stigma it once did. So, as long as it�s good for business, pretty much anything goes. And, Jesus Christ is about as special now as a one-dollar bill. It seems almost everyone these days has Him in their pocket in some form or fashion. Though once considered �the bread of life;� we drop His name nowadays like an after-lunch tip.
As the celebrated leaders of �compassionate conservatism� continue to forward the counterfeit claim that we are prospering, thriving and spreading wealth, democracy and freedom around the world, the purchasing power of Lord Moolah, dwindles away at an alarming rate, having lost 50% of its value against the euro alone since the fall of 2000 according to the Christian Science Monitor.
The media informs us that food and fuel are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive, when the reality is; the dollars we buy them with have become too plentiful to be of any real value anymore, thanks to the government�s non-stop printing press. That�s why it takes so much more of our money now to fill a stomach, drive a car, buy a house and heat it than ever before.
The �powers-that-be� will simply not allow the dirty little secret of a failing currency make it to the ears of the ignorant masses because they know we would all panic and take to the streets realizing our wallets contain nothing but IOUs from a government hopelessly in debt. So, with a grand sleight of hand strategy, they simply call OUR goods and services �more expensive� instead of THEIR green paper �less valuable� and then bump the prime-lending rate every so often to �head off inflation�. What a joke�
In the meantime, our celebrated church leaders advance their counterfeit claim that revival is underway here in the global neighborhood; that �God is moving� and growing His church exponentially through Purpose Driven programs, ecumenical initiatives and interfaith ideas; spreading �God�s love� around the world in the same Santa Claus fashion Oprah Winfrey does with missionary junkets overseas that bribe children with toys and western materialism; getting them to smile and wave at the folks back home on the bible belt�s big screens in hopes they will pass along a little more holiday jingle for their charitable efforts, when in fact, there has probably never been a time in American history when the message being delivered to the poor, by those who call themselves �Christians,� has been more carnal and counterfeit than it is today.
What a contrast from the first missionaries Jesus sent out; twelve nobodies from nowhere with no education and no opportunity for worldly advancement, commanded by their master to preach repentance and �take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse.� (Mark 6:8)
The bible teaches: �The love of money is the root of all evil;� Yet, who loves money MORE and trusts God LESS than this generation? You see, the real gods being worshipped and served here are all those little green lies we use to gratify ourselves and tempt others with each day while claiming allegiance to the One True God.
As Christianity is debased right along with our currency, I can�t help but be impressed by how much they have in common. Neither is anything close to what it originally was and both are backed by little more than hype and gimmickry.
�Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.� -- Revelation 3:17-18
� 2004 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print. Paul may be reached at watchman@usa.com�
The media informs us that food and fuel are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive, when the reality is; the dollars we buy them with have become too plentiful to be of any real value anymore, thanks to the government�s non-stop printing press.
