Fireworks and Freedom

This week we celebrated Independence Day, with all of the traditional festivities our family has observed for a long time.  Like many people, we wore red, white and blue, displayed our flag, and we ate hot dogs and hamburgers, along with fresh green beans and potato salad.  Our family also eats special Fourth of July sandwiches, called "Ham On Swiss Egg Rolls," baked with a mixture of mustard and mayonnaise.  After all the parades, we generally watch our DVD of the musical, "1776," and we sing along with all of the songs.  Then, of course, we try to watch fireworks.

This year, because July 4th fell on a Sunday, it seemed that the various towns in New Jersey didn't know when to conduct their Independence Day observances.  Most towns seemed to avoid holding their parades and firework displays on Sunday, and opted for Saturday or Monday (which became the official "day off").

But it seemed appropriate to me to celebrate on Sunday, too, because the main thing our nation can claim credit for is the large degree of personal liberty we share as individuals--and especially our example in guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of religion.  Yes, there are "purple mountain majesties"  in America, but those are just accidents of location.  Around the world, there are many places with beautiful vistas and amazing natural resources.

What I am especially grateful for is the fact that I do not need to face any restrictions, either legal or social, on my choice of how (or whether) to worship.  Unlike citizens of many countries, I face no business interference, no legal hassles, no personal danger, and no social rejection because of my choice.  That is an amazing, wonderful feature of our national heritage that needs to be protected for everyone, and not just those who, like me, are in the religious majority.

 I'm a believing Christian, and I want to share God's love with everyone.  But Christ only wants willing disciples; he's unimpressed by people who cry "Lord, Lord!" only because they feel required or pressured to do so.  As Christians, then, our best opportunity for evangelism is in an environment of maximum freedom and safety for all religious, non-religious and even anti-religious thinking.  So, on Sunday especially, let freedom ring!