Around the island: Liz Peveto, Peggy Zilinsky, Betty Silich, Billie Connell, Sherry Zeise, Katie Mathers, Sharon Heidebrecht, Nancy Myers, Pat File and Pauline House; photo by Nancy Thomas
Movie goers: Judy Smith, Pauline House, Nancy Myers, Nancy Nevius, Karen Wesselmann, Leslie Brooks; photo by Nancy Thomas
Sherry Zeise
Twenty-four eager ladies were warmly welcomed into the home of Mike and Anita Nelson on Saturday, August 13, to enjoy another New Life Church Ladies’ Lunch Bunch luncheon. There were delicious entrees and desserts to tantalize any palette.
After the last scrumptious bite of sweets, Jois Ross called the group to the living-room for the DVD viewing of One Generation Away, introduced eloquently by Leslie Brooks.
The movie shared the views of many, pro and con, regarding the state of Christians’ freedom of religion in America. ACLU spokesmen felt Christianity should be relegated solely to church auditoriums. Christian leaders expressed dismay that much of our religious freedom is being squelched.
The DVD also presented historical background for our religious freedom in America. It showed our founders’ documents, quotes from some and an explanation of the origin of “separation of church and state,” which came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, not the Constitution. In the letter Jefferson expressed his desire that government never be allowed to dictate or demand that one religion only be allowed or tolerated, as was the case in Britain with the establishment of the Church of England. Then years later a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court used the words, “separation of church and state,” in a legal finding.
We heard discussion of the plight of military chaplains who now are being restricted severely in their duties. Our soldiers, those serving our country voluntarily, need the comfort or encouragement of a chaplain in their stressful times, and the chaplains cannot share their religion in the manner in which they are trained or according to their guidance by God.
Schools, where a prayer was common in our childhood, are now becoming a place where other religions may be studied or discussed, but Christianity is restricted.
The title and presentation of the DVD shared the fact that one generation brings about change for good or bad. We have seen great changes in our religious freedom in the past generation, and we were made aware that unless we pray and make efforts to keep our religious freedom, the loss of our freedom to practice our faith is merely “one generation away.”