Chuck Baldwin -- Trading An Empty Tomb For Empty Hearts

This Sunday, Christians will celebrate the greatest event in world history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Truly, it is "the greatest story ever told." There is nothing to compare to it. The resurrection of Christ confirms His deity and His redemptive work on the cross. It also condemns every false religion. The resurrection of Jesus is the defining moment of human history.

The Gospel of Christ not only gave birth to the Christian church, it also birthed the United States of America. Our Pilgrim and Puritan forebears brought the story of Christ's death and resurrection to these shores. Subsequently, the flames of Christian revival spread that story "from sea to shining sea." Bible verses were engraved on our public buildings, Bible principles were codified into public law, and public statues memorialized Bible characters. For over 150 years, America's songs and America's schools honored the story of the empty tomb. No more.

Today, the story of the empty tomb is regarded as invidious in America's schools and in America's public life. To even mention the story in any public manner invites howls of "separation of church and state." Christian servicemen stationed in Muslim countries are not even allowed to receive Bibles from the States, but it is worse than that.

According to published reports, certain school districts in California now require students in public schools to attend courses that teach the Islamic religion. In these courses, students must memorize verses in the Koran, are taught to pray "in the name of Allah," and are instructed to chant, "Praise to Allah, Lord of Creation."

In New York, Muslim students were permitted to pray in school during Ramadan. They were even allowed to have their schedules altered to accommodate their attendance at Islamic religious observances. Is it any wonder that new mosques are outgrowing new churches in the United States?

Now we learn that President Bush has authorized millions of taxpayer dollars to produce books that promote the Islamic religion. That's right. Your tax dollars and mine are being used to purchase textbooks that teach the Muslim faith. Bush is sending these books to the children of Afghanistan.

Where is the A.C.L.U. crying "separation of church and state"? Why does not this expenditure of federal tax dollars violate the First Amendment? A bigger question is, "How can Bush, a professing Christian, willingly use tax dollars to promote a pagan religion that damns the souls of all who follow it?"

There is no empty tomb in the Muslim religion; and in America, the empty tomb is being traded for empty hearts.

Chuck Baldwin is Founder-Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. In 1985 the church was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for its unusual growth and influence.

Dr. Baldwin is the host of a lively, hard-hitting syndicated radio talk show on the Genesis Communications Network called, "Chuck Baldwin Live" This is a daily, one hour long call-in show in which Dr. Baldwin addresses current event topics from a conservative Christian point of view. Pastor Baldwin writes weekly articles on the internet http://www.ChuckBaldwinLive.com and newspapers.

To learn more about his radio talk show please visit his web site at: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com. When responding, please include your name, city and state E-mail: chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com

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