Regarding the current flap over the cancellation of a Bible class on a public high school campus, I really must ask, "Who is surprised?" As much as I may disagree with what appears to be an agenda in our nation to scrub any mention of God out of the public consciousness, it is not new. Neither is it likely to be turned around because a handful of Christians speak out. Does this sound pessimistic? Sorry. It is not intended to be. Rather, I fear it is a realistic evaluation of a bigger issue. That’s right, the issue is not the canceled Bible class. Rather, the issue is the anti-Christian bias that seems to so permeates the current marketplace of ideas - particularly in the courts and even more particularly in the state schools.

Before contemplating the courts or our school, consider our nation’s double standard when talking about religion. Christianity, the Bible, and the name of Jesus are taboo. Any public mention of these things, and the more fragile around us frantically cry, "Separation of church and state!" or "They’re forcing religion down our throats!" On the other hand, all other sorts of religion are not only accepted, but celebrated. Eastern religious disciplines such as yoga and even some forms of martial arts are not a problem. All sorts philosophies based on humanism, (which is in essence religious), are standard fare. Let a person speak ill of Islam and they are charged with a hate crime. Protection for the rights of the tiny minority of atheists, whose religion is that of not believing in God, is defended to the hilt-using tax payers money - money paid by tax payers who do believe in God.

How does this bias show up in the courts? When a court rules that saying the pledge of allegiance is unconstitutional because the phrase "under God" is included, might we have a problem? Truth is stranger than fiction.

What shall we think or say about our schools’ bias against some religion - that of Christians in particular? Consider the fact that the state schools are decidedly and admittedly atheistic. While some may recoil at that term, stop and think of what atheistic means. "A" means either not or against, like the prefix "un" or "anti." According to Webster, "Theism" is "the belief or acknowledgment of the existence of a God, as opposed to atheism." So, are the state schools, atheistic? While not all schools, and certainly not all teachers are atheistic, the system is committed to a "non-God" world view. Whether they are pejoratively forbidding any mention of creation because it is "religion" in favor or the so-called "hard science" of evolution, or canceling a Bible class on a high school campus, clearly God is not welcome.

What are we, who not only believe in God but seek to base our entire lives on our belief, to do? Here are a few simple suggestions. First, be aware of the cultural bias against our beliefs - not as martyrs, so far - but as astute observers of the world around us.

Second, speak up, calmly and politely pointing the bias out when it rears it’s head. Many are so accustomed to the bias, they are not aware of it. Point it out to them. Third, do not expect an atheistic system to be other than what it is. This is not to say we should not try to change the system, but as a leopard cannot change his spots, neither should we expect a system that is atheistic to act contrary to it’s nature.

Fourth, try to change the system, not the system’s behavior. How? I know of no better way than to do everything in our power to educate our children in a system that shares, rather than opposes, our world views. If yours is atheistic, by all means, the state schools are there and they are nearly free, (excepting taxes and a few incidentals). However, parents who have a theistic world view might want to see that their children receive an education that more closely mirrors their fundamental beliefs. That may mean private or home school. In most cases that calls for sacrifice, either of money, or time, or both.

If we understand, (contrary to popular belief), that there is no such thing as neutrality in these matters, we may have to face the fact that while we cannot afford to make such a move, we cannot afford not to.