"This Christmas season, 78% of American adults identify with some form of Christian religion. Less than 2% are Jewish, less than 1% are Muslim, and 15% do not have a religious identity. This means that 95% of all Americans who have a religious identity are Christians." (Althouse, A new Gallup poll.)
Christians in the United States should be thankful that in spite of the attacks on Christianity and the attempts to remove anything Christian from schools, businesses and the public square, we are free to worship God this Christmas and every day, unlike in so many other countries.
Christmas, midnight mass, has been cancelled in Iraq. Christians are fearful in light of recent attacks since the American military left Iraq and "as a consequence of the never-ending assassinations of Christians". Christians have been fleeing the country since 2003 with the Christian population dropping by 50%.
There is fear that Christianity could be completely eradicated in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, ... because of severe and persistent persecution of Christians by Muslims, according to the chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
In Yemen, where under the constitution Islam is the state religion, Shariah is the source of all legislation, Yemeni citizens are not allowed to convert to Christianity (or other religions) under threat of the death penalty -- there are reportedly only several thousand Christians.
Saudi Arabia allows Christians to enter the country as temporary workers, but Christians are not allowed to worship, there are no Christian churches and officially zero Saudi citizens who are Christian. The same is true in Afghanistan.
We can look as Christianity country-by-country, see the persecution of Christians, and see that here in the US we are truly blessed.
While we write about 'T'was the night before Liberal Christmas 2011' and 'T'was the night before Christmas,...When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying, Nor taking a stand -- Don't believe it.
Christians in America are praying, they are worshiping, they are sharing their faith. Christianity has been under threats throughout history and Christianity will continue to be under threat. We must not let our guard down, but we must also remember that in the end, good wins over evil.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Saviour, was born as an innocent baby. His life was threatened from the beginning yet he survived, lived a perfect life as an example to us. He then gave that life freely to ridicule, punishment and eventually death. He did this for one reason, love for his creation. Love so strong that he was willing to leave Heaven so that we one day could be in Heaven with him.
Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Celebrate life.
Amen!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
Posted by: A F TIcker | December 24, 2011 at 06:55 PM
celebrate life indeed Deb! HAPPY HOLIDAY mornin !!...blessings and hugsssssssssss!! xxoo
Posted by: Angel | December 25, 2011 at 09:25 AM
Great reminder of the cherished freedom we have here. I suppose it is useless to say that those Christians living in lands where they are oppressed, must try to escape. There is no other way.
Posted by: Maggie@MaggiesNotebook | December 25, 2011 at 07:04 PM
I'm bit late and whatever lately saying to every one "MERRY CHRISTMAS". Thanks mate. :)
Posted by: Shane Warne | December 27, 2011 at 03:27 AM