Pullquote: "An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic." Thomas Jefferson

In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic.” Aha! But how to enlighten the citizenry, that is the question. For those involved in religious liberty ministry, it is a difficult problem, indeed. Religion and politics are not just intersecting more and more, they are virtually colliding.

Alison Agins attacks this problem with vigor, recently trying out a new idea she calls “Lunch and Liberty.” On September 15, Agins hosted nearly 50 people at her home for a combination potluck lunch and religious freedom presentation. Agins has been serving as the religious liberty director of the Corona Seventh-day Adventist Church for several years, and more recently became a board member of the North American Religious Liberty Association-West (NARLA-West). She is highly motivated to break through prejudice and pre-conceived ideas so that people can discuss important issues in an atmosphere suited to genuine sharing of ideas, rather than argument.

The keynote presentation that day in her Corona home was given by retired minister, C. Norman Farley, who also serves on the board of NARLA-West. His topic was “The Rise and Demise of Pluralism.”

Farley addressed the heresy of the "Christian nation" idea. He pointed out the difference between a Christian nation and a nation filled with Christian people and expressed alarm that "nearly 65 percent of Americans believe that America is a Christian nation, since this notion poses a distinct threat to religious freedom. Pastor Farley reviewed key aspects of American history, such as the formation of our constitution, in light of the modern heresy of Christian reconstructionism. Farley explained that this is an offshoot of Calvinism that holds that the elect have the responsibility to rule in God’s name, and to enforce His law.

He contrasted reconstructionism with the rationalism prevalent among our founding fathers.

Following this presentation, there was a vigorous discussion of the recent Time magazine article on current abuses of power by the American government. "This trend should cause us to seriously reflect on the prophecy in Revelation 13 that America, although founded on “lamb-like” principles, will take on the character of the dragon," said Farley.

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Horner attended this lunch and several other meetings in the Agins home. “What a wonderful opportunity Alison Agins has provided for our community to more fully understand important issues of religious liberty,” wrote Dr. Horner in an e-mail message. “We have had many good speakers, and we can have our questions answered directly by those with a good understanding of what is going on—especially in the religious world.” Horner expressed his hope that many other communities will host similar programs.

NARLA-West has speakers available for local church and home-based meetings and discussion groups. Why not follow Agins’ lead and host a “Lunch and Liberty” in your home soon?

To arrange a speaker to come to your church, or for your own “Lunch and Liberty,” please call Pat Silvia at 916-446-2552.