Jon McCartney

GUEST COLUMNIST

In early 1979, life was pleasant for many people in Iran. Professors and thinkers of all types could freely exchange ideas and beliefs. Then the unthinkable happened. The Islamic revolution took place, and the "thought police" took over. Such a free life may never be seen in Iran again, and many people there lament that to this day.

If you think such a thing could never happen in our country, think again. It likely will not happen with a religious group overthrowing our ways; it will likely be through an "anti-religious movement" that is already at work in Congress.

Right now there are a couple of things going on in Congress that can easily affect the way you and I are "allowed" to express what we believe. One law being considered is a supposed "hate crime" bill (Senate Bill 1105 -- Amendment # 2067, the Matthew Shepard Law) that will restrict what you can say publicly (that includes in church), regarding what you believe to be true of homosexuality. In other words, if you say that homosexuality is a sin, you could be found guilty of a "hate crime."

The problem with such "belief crimes" should be obvious. What will be deemed illegal next? If telling others what the Bible has to say about certain lifestyles becomes illegal, when can we expect that just reading the Bible becomes illegal? And don't tell me it isn't a logical step to follow. The journey down the slippery slope begins somewhere.

In addition to this "truth law," there is another law under development. Some members of Congress believe we cannot live wisely unless we are spoon fed both sides of every issue in exactly equal amounts. They are certain we do not know how to switch stations, or listen around for opposing views on our own (assuming we even want to hear them). Therefore they are trying to reinstate a law that would require radio stations to air opposing views in equal time on issues they deem important. It is called the "Fairness Doctrine."

This would apply to all political views, conservative and liberal. It would mean that LDS stations could not teach what they believe without giving up air time to teach what they don't believe. It means that evangelicals could not teach what they believe without giving equal time to atheists or Satanists, and that a station owned and run by atheists would have to give equal time to evangelicals who would teach about God.

You might wonder what is wrong with the government forcing stations to air equal and opposing views. What ever happened to the station owner's and programmer's right to free speech? If they believe in a particular social, political, philosophical, or religious view, why aren't they allowed to share that? Can't you change the station if you don't like what you hear? Why should you be forced to change the station if they are forced to air an opposing view you don't want to hear?

Secondly, who is in charge of deciding what issues rise to the level of needing an opposing view? What if they believe that genealogy is filled with implications that can lead to elitism, or discrimination? Do they then force KSL to air an hour of diatribe denouncing genealogy as a conspiracy theory that is imported from another planet in an attempt to disrupt truth, justice and the American way of life?

That brings a thought to my mind. Why isn't it wrong for politicians to tell us it is wrong for telling someone that we believe something is wrong?

I imagine at this point some of you are wondering why this makes a Matters of Faith column anyway. I mean, so what if radio and television stations have to switch to music aired by obnoxious disc jockeys in order to avoid government control? Who cares if NBC is forced to follow an hour of "Law and Order" with an hour of "Anarchy and Chaos?" Why shouldn't we be forced to develop programs that show that sexual predators and murderers are simply misunderstood people with a good heart somewhere deep inside, so that we will embrace them as good-hearted neighbors?

Because the truth police won't stop there. Next they will tell you that you can't go door-to-door to share what you believe. Right now, on any given day, there are about 50,000 LDS missionaries doing just that. Shouldn't they have the right to do so? Consider all of the evangelical missionaries; shouldn't they have the right to tell the world what they believe?

I don't know about you, but I don't want my thoughts and words controlled. And the last time I looked, this was a country where you were guaranteed the right speak to what you believe, especially when it comes to religious beliefs, even though you might encounter someone who doesn't like what you believed.

I could go on and on, but the simple truth is, many of these people in power who have no moral compass do not want moral truth to be proclaimed, not on the airwaves, and not even from a pulpit. And they know full well that station owners cannot afford to give away half of their airtime to a view that most people just do not want to hear. Therefore, talk radio and TV, as well as religious programming, will go away unless it goes underground. Those who fight to give a different point of view will be silenced. And those who speak the word of God boldly and openly will be arrested. Welcome to 1984, Mr. Orwell.

If you have read my articles for any length of time you know I believe the Bible to be the only authoritative word of God. I do not apologize for this, and neither does the Bible. But you also know that I believe you have every right to choose to believe something else. You will have to deal with the consequences of your choices, but you should be free to make them.

A day is coming, in fact may now be here, when we will have to put up a fight to maintain the right to say what we believe. If we do not want to fight for that right, then maybe we deserve to lose it.

I pray you think your beliefs are worth fighting for. If you do, contact as many congressmen and senators in Washington D.C. as you can. (202-224-5251 -- Hatch)

Jon McCartney is pastor of the First Baptist Church located at 580 S. Main in Tooele. Worship celebration is Sunday at 11 a.m. Bible study for all ages is at 9:45 a.m.