By C. Eldon McNabb

In late July, 2000, before Congress took its August recess, both the Senate and the House quietly passed a new religious liberty bill, by unanimous consent." This statement was made by Charles Levendosky for the Casper (WY) Star Tribune, and was published in the Emphasis section of the (Springfield, MA) Sunday Republican on August 27, 2000.

Farther into the article, Mr. Levendosky adds, "Although the bill didn’t receive much attention in the press, it now awaits President Clinton’s signature. Clinton has already expressed support for the bill, so there is little doubt he will sign it into law soon."

By unanimous consent, Congress passed the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, bill number 2869 which gives the government sweeping powers to prevent any religious activities on any particular land area if it can prove that there is "a compelling government interest to do so." For thirty-seven years, the Supreme Court has arbitrarily denied the freedom of religion assured us in the Bill of Rights by its ratification as the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the U.S.A. Now Congress has made it official, and the press didn’t even think it was news.

I find it interesting, and frightful, that Congress would "unanimously" sign a freedom of religion bill. That very fact shows you that it is not a statement for freedom of religion, but a direct and fatal blow to what little freedom of religion still exists in the last bastion of religious liberty in the world.

When this bill passes under the pen of the President, the stage will be set, and the action will soon follow. Since this legislation will apply to all programs or activities that receive federal funds, it will particularly apply to any Christian group which has tax exempt status. And the government will use this bill to suppress Christianity. Of course, If you believe in the pre-tribulation "Rapture," you "know" it will not effect you. As a result, you would suppose it really doesn’t matter in your case. I believe it would be more prudent to heed the words of Solomon in Prov. 22:3, and take defensive measures. He said, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."

In 1 Cor. 1:25, Paul said, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Perhaps it would be wise on our part to inquire of Him whether there is something we could, or should, do to prepare ourselves for the coming confrontation. Let us diligently ask God to help us in this matter, so we can, in prudence and wisdom, hide ourselves from the coming assault on our worship of our God who has created all things by Jesus Christ.