The Silence Of The Lambs

Living in the Bible Belt, one would think that a gubernatorial candidate in Tennessee wanting to hold a Homeland Security Summit at a Christian university with a primary focus on Islamic terrorism wouldn't be very controversial. But in this current world in which we live, you would be wrong. The gubernatorial candidate is Mae Beavers, a conservative Republican, and the Christian university is Trevecca Nazarene University. The summit was scheduled to take place on January 25th on the campus of Trevecca featuring three guest lecturers who specialize in Islamic studies and terrorism. The speakers were Dr. Bill Warner, Cathy Hinners, and John Guandolo. So why would this public summit be abruptly cancelled after tickets had already been sold?

Trevecca Nazarene University released this statement in regards to the cancellation of the event:

"Throughout our history, Trevecca has consistently offered political candidates of both parties the opportunity to use our campus for events. We strongly believe that our students benefit from proximity to the voting process, and that freedom of speech is a foundation of American democracy.

However, a recent event tentatively scheduled to be held on our campus appears to have an agenda beyond a political campaign. This event would distract from our commitment to community building, education, and support of a diverse enrollment. Our agenda of Christian education in the heart of Nashville requires that we serve the best interests of this mission. For this reason, the planned event will not be held on Trevecca's campus."

The statement claims Trevecca "strongly believes that our students benefit from proximity to the voting process, and that freedom of speech is a foundation of American democracy." Their actions though show a sentiment completely opposite of their words. If they strongly believed in freedom of speech and educating the students and the greater public they would have let the summit be held regardless of whatever backlash and outside pressure they received. The backlash came from CAIR, The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a group The United Arab Emirates has declared a terrorist organization. It is clear that Trevecca felt more pressure to submit to the concerns of Muslims over honoring their Christian beliefs and free speech. They decided to let political correctness trump the freedom of speech.

What makes this unique? Why is this worth writing about you may be asking? It is not unusual to see universities curtail free speech these days. It is becoming quite common indeed. We have seen it at UC-Berkeley with numerous conservative guest speakers being harassed and made to go through unusual obstacles to speak while progressive speakers have had no such restraints. This is unique because it is a Christian university in the Bible Belt of America. Muslims have killed 900,000 Christians from 2004-2014 and continue to persecute Christians to this day throughout the world. For a Christian university with a commitment to the community and education based in solid Christian beliefs to cancel an event to enlighten and educate is mind boggling. They are choosing to turn a blind eye to the realities and dangers of Islamic terrorism. They are choosing to ignore a 1400 year history of Islam. They are choosing to ignore the history and life of Mohammed. They are choosing to send a very chilling message to Christians in Tennessee and in America.

The final point is this. Christians have been silent for far too long. The Muslims and their organizations are much more active and vocal than Christians. Christians have failed, both in congregations of churches and as a whole, to stand up and be heard. The silence of the lambs is deafening. The real wake up call is for Christians to educate themselves, not only on Islam, but also on the Bible. The bottom line here is that there is a war raging and Islam is fully engaged in being the final winner. Not enough Christians seem to be aware of this. Ignorance, apathy, and political correctness have led us down a very dark path to destruction. It says in the Bible, "My people shall perish for a lack of knowledge." That is quite prophetic for the times in which we live.