I have pondered many times whether there is a conspiracy to see the demise of religion in America. Just from bird eye's viewpoint, I will admit that there are some who wish the world would denounce organized religion. Yet it will probably be a combined effort that destroys the basic fabric of religion in our country. Keep in mind this article is only a theory.

Who would be behind the machine to destroy religion in America? Most would believe it is those who are atheist and may align themselves with organizations such as the ALCU. I think there may be some individuals within these groups, but we need to look further. To specifically blame an organization or those who believe a certain way, is wrong in this case, because there are many donors and people who work for the ACLU, that are heavily involved in their religious faith or atheists in favor of religious freedom. How about thinking outside the box? Who would benefit the most from a decline in religion? Just about every business owner except those in the religion business; could potentially make more money. Often activities we are committed to throughout the week can hurt work productivity. Some of us do not work overtime because of Church duties or meetings on various days of the week, and this is cutting into corporate profits. This is also time not spent listening to advertisements on the TV and radio. Whoever would behind such a conspiracy against religion in America has a definite foothold in business and media; and undoubtedly smart enough to stay off the radar. It cannot be one person, but a well connected network that will allow the Christian faith in America to continue to be endangered; however they are getting help from an unlikely source; in my opinion, from some of those who supposedly are defending religion.

Some people who believe they are fighting a culture war in the name of religion, may be doing more harm for their cause than good. Remember in 1980's, when parents of suicide teen came forward; some of the Religious Right and others went on the defense and claimed their were subliminal messages in the music that led these teens to their death? These poor parents who had to suffer the unthinkable loss; now found themselves being ridiculed and used by these individuals, as the Psychology community debunked their subliminal music theory. In the new millennium, the movie, The Passion of Christ rallied a lot of the conservative Christians to the forefront of America culture. The new age of Mega Churches are guiding more people to a new spiritual awakening. Some of these individuals are willing to go to jail for their faith. The passion they exhibit in the name of religion is so sustaining that some will oppose the election of judges and politicians who do not align with their faith values. However it is generally very easy to sway the majority of them using religious doctrine. Outside of a few religious organizations and a movie like The Passion of Christ, the Christian community in America is not really united. I am just waiting for the protest and condemnation that will occur in the spring of this year, as the movie, The Da Vinci Code comes to the theater. At some times, individual faiths argue over doctrine without any basis of logic. For instance, some claim the Bible to be the Word of God, but deny that Jesus drank wine and that He was also God. They deny what is right in front of their face, and if you ask them to refer to the Greek of the New Testament or the Hebrew of the Old Testament, then the discussion is generally over. I believe the constant rifts in Biblical doctrine will cause a real division in religion over the next decade. Some Christians agree that there should not be an establishment of Christianity in our society; abiding by the US Constitution, which states, ""Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." While some of the remainder with a different viewpoint, either believe the others are wrong about their interpretation of the First Amendment of the Constitution, or they would like see the Constitution amended and for this nation to become a Christian state.

The continual erosion of small churches and other places of worship serves to benefit whom? These Mega Churches are making it harder for smaller congregations to grow. The resentment will grow as some of these larger congregations' ministers hold themselves out as Biblical or religious scholars. Last month, we learned that some Mega Churches canceled Christmas services, in order for members to spend more time with their families. You think other people in America were not turned off by this? How can some people berate corporate stores for not telling their employees to say "Merry Christmas" but then some of the largest Churches in America, cancel services of the Christian celebrated birthday of Jesus Christ? Regardless of what you try to say, big time ministers in this nation get rock star or movie star status from a lot of folks. So when they obviously do something this appears to be on surface to be a contradiction; the masses of those already on the fence, or those against their message, can render an I told you so.

In the 2004 Presidential and 2005 elections, some believed people were voting against God. This is why most of these individuals voted for conservative candidates such as President George Bush and those on the school boards that support Creationism. Some of these same individuals criticize the liberal educators of America, who they believe are trying to covert their children into "pseudo-socialist" that question the foundation of their religious faith. I disagree with their assertions about most liberal educators. Maybe your child already had these concerns, and is acting upon these thoughts because they are no longer in your house.

While I think those in the media and business may agitate some of the so-called religious persons in America, I also believe some of these individuals will stop at nothing less than to establish a religious state. In my opinion, this would be a clear violation of the First Amendment. Pure agitation towards religion in our society has caused some to ignore the letter of the law, even if their actions are not criminal. Some do not believe that others deserve religious freedom unless they believe in their faith. While they may not say this publicly, some judges such as Judge Cale J. Bradford of Indianapolis, seem to echo their silent cries. He was the judge in 2005, which restricted divorcees from teaching their children, their Wicca faith. All the media has to do is spark controversy for religious debates to occur. The Da Vinci Code will further divide people from their places of worship, as more start to question whether the history of religion is pure. Did Jesus have siblings and why isn't more known about the Son of God? Some people might be led to read the Books of the Bible that were banned. Religion is so hot in this country that we are not far from fundamentalism. This is not 1988, when a movie such as the Last Temptation of Christ can be wished away. The real conspiracy to rid religion in America is being accomplished by the work of those who believe they are fighting the cultural wars. No one has to ban Christmas or God in our public square, each day we turn more and more people from organized religion through messages such, "don't expect God to help you...voted him out," or spend time with your family on Christmas, we are closed this Sunday! Just let the religious debates continue. Then again, maybe the so-called attack on religion in America is real. Yet the web of deception is probably so deep that we will never find the truth. Could there be a time in history where religion takes a backseat? I believe it has already happened, for Christmas and Easter are more about commercialization than celebrating Jesus. In closing, this is why I attend a liberal Church; for I like to believe everyone is welcomed to God's table, just as you are accepted at mine.

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Why are Some Churches Canceling Christmas Service?

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