After so much recent rain, it looks like we might be having great weather for our Independence Day celebrations on Thursday.
Although the weather people are saying we have a good chance of a rain-free day (we’ll know how it turned out by the time you read this), we know that at this time of the year storms can pop up in spite of the best forecasting. Whether plans get rained out or not, we have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate our nation’s birthday.
We only need to take note of any news program to be reminded thatmany people around the world do not have the freedoms that we celebrate with a big bang but then pretty much take for granted. Most of the conflict that goes on in the world today is because people are beginning to demand freedom and those that hold power over them are not ready to relinquish it.
One of theironies of American history is that while our forefathers banded together and fought for their freedom from the tyranny of England, most of them thought nothing of depriving others of freedom by upholding slavery for more than 100 years beyond winning our independence.
Today we stand as the United States, far from perfect, but striving (yes, sometimes in theory only) to assure that everyone has certain rights and privileges that are afforded to every American by virtue of citizenship in this great land.
Even though we have concluded another celebration of our heritage of freedom, let us be reminded that there are many members of our human family around the world that do not enjoy the very liberties that we often take for granted. While we often think of persecution and slavery as the dark side of ancient history, both are alive and kicking today.
Christians in several areas of the world are imprisoned, beaten, have property taken, and many are killed for practicing their faith. A recent study found that more than 75 percent of acts of religious intolerance are directed toward Christians (Catholic Bishops Conferences of the European Community).
Many people think slavery was abolished years ago. However, there are more people living in slavery today than the total number of people taken from Africa to America in the vast trans-Atlantic slave trade between the 17th and 19th centuries. It is estimated that more than 20.9 million people are forced to live in slavery around the world, many of these being 5- and 6-year-old children.
We need to pray and work that others can participate in the same freedoms we have the privilege of celebrating.
The Rev. Chris Singleton is program manager for Stop Hunger Now. Reach him at csingleton@stophungernow.org.
