Whatever Happened to Separation of Church and State?
By Jason Carlson
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Where's the outrage from the Secular Left?  Where are Barry Lynn, the ACLU and the rest of the "separation of church and state" crowd?  Does nobody care about preserving the separation of church and state anymore?
 
Over the past week the entire nation has been fixated on the tragic events taking place in the Southeastern portion of our country.  Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and others have featured around the clock coverage of hurricane Katrina's devastation and the subsequent relief efforts.  As you watch the television news coverage, you cannot help but recognize that the vast majority of the organizations and people working to aid the refugees of the devastated areas are Christians.  The Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist's, and various other Christian relief organizations, these were the first groups to respond the catastrophe; and they are working tirelessly around the clock to this moment.
 
Has anyone else found it curious that there has yet to be any outcry from the Secular Left over these God-fearing Christians lending their love and compassion to the victims of hurricane Katrina?  These are the same Christians who voted for George W. Bush.  These are the same Christians who pledge allegiance to the flag of our "one nation under God".  These are the same Christians who call for the public display of the Ten Commandments.  These are the same "Red" state Christians who the Left mock as the citizens of "Jesus Land".    Will nobody on the Secular Left now stand up and demand that these Christians get out of the way of the federal government's sloth-like response?  How can the Secular Left tolerate such a public display of Christ-like love and service?  What if one of these refugees is influenced towards a more positive view of the Christian church?  God forbid (Oh wait, the Secular Left doesn't believe in God). 
 
I wonder how many of the refugees of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />New Orleans and elsewhere are concerned that they are being given food, water, and shelter by the hands of Christians?  I wonder if any of them feel that their civil rights are being violated as they read the names of Christian churches on the t-shirts of Christian servants distributing medicine and baby formula?  I'd be willing to bet that you'd have to search pretty hard to find any refugee who'd discriminate against the aid provided by these Christians.
 
It's very telling that we haven't heard from Barry Lynn and the rest of the "separation of church and state" crowd.  It's very easy to mock God and His people when times are good.  Yet, when the tragedies of life hit, when lives are left in ruin, and when the good times go away, people recognize very quickly what truly matters.  Hurricane Katrina has reminded us that life is short and extremely fragile.  She has reminded us that earthly possessions are fleeting.  And she has provided yet another opportunity for God's people to reach out to a hurting world with the love of Jesus Christ.