FEBRUARY 2000 – I got to thinking the other day about what I would do if I were the devil and wanted to rid America of Christian influence.
I would have the Baptists announce they were going to try to lead non-Christians to the Lord. Then I would call together several non-Christians, along with several “Christian” leaders, and strongly condemn the Baptists for doing such a thing. I would let the world know that what they are doing is nothing less than practicing “hate speech.”
I would get the producers of television programs to censor Christians out of programs. I would never show anyone going to church, or praying, or talking about a personal relationship with Christ. I would also drop in “Christians” occasionally and depict them as counterfeit characters with shoddy morals. I would place a “homosexual” character in lots of programs, and I would always depict them in the best possible light. Anyone who believed homosexuality was immoral would be shown as narrow-minded, bigoted, and ignorant.
I would compartmentalize Christianity so that it doesn’t interfere with the rest of life. I would run any news pertaining to Christianity and churches on a Saturday “church page” in the newspaper. And, of course, much of what I would put on that page would be from “broad-minded Christians” who are in tune with the world. I would never mention anything related to Christianity in the regular news. The only exception would be a negative story about a Christian, implying that he represents all Christians.
I would use entertainment to ridicule Christian morals. I would belittle any athlete who decides not to hide his or her Christian faith. I would censor news about those who dared to take a stand for Christ, even martyrs. I would not reference the fact that they were Christian or that their faith played any role in their suffering or death.
I would convince everyone that Christians should never be involved in politics unless, of course, their politics were the same as mine. I would make fun of anyone who said that personal morality had anything to do with public service.
I would have judges appointed who would legislate from the bench. What laws I could not get passed through legislation, I would have my judges rule into law.
I would convince individuals that when they have attended a church service and given a little money, they have done all that is necessary to be good “Christians.” I would persuade pastors not to preach on “controversial” issues because they might upset some of the members, especially those who give more than a minimum amount and are “upstanding” citizens in their community.
I would convince society that the traditional family unit is no longer needed or desired. In fact, I would convince them to breed children and then turn the children over to the state, which can do a much better job of raising them.
These are just some of the things I would do if I were the devil. But you know, why should I bother? Someone is doing all of these things already.
(Editor’s Note: From the late 1970s through 2010, Don Wildmon, founder and president emeritus of American Family Association, wrote hundreds of monthly columns for the AFA Journal. What Brother Don started, AFA continues with the prayers and support of readers like you.)
