A youth minster by the name of Matthew Snatchko

 

It seems like as soon as I begin to understand the ways of our culture a bit more, I read something which surprises me all over again.  One such occasion happened recently as I came upon a very shocking story.  In 2007 in Sacramento, CA at the Roseville Galleria Mall, a youth minster by the name of Matthew Snatchko was having a simple conversation with two other shoppers about faith.  Even though Snatchko had received their permission to discuss the subject, a particular store employee did not like the conversation that was happening and proceeded to call the mall security guards.  Not only did the security guards come, but they actually arrested Snatchko as well.  However, as is fitting, the "criminal charges" were dropped. What is even more shocking about this entire situation is this particular mall actually has rules in place which do not allow people to have conversations with other individuals, who they do not already know, about controversial topics like religion and politics.  That's right, what people believe about God, what political view they have, or any other controversial topics cannot be discussed in this mall.  Beyond all of this, this mall has another rule which forbids a person to wear any clothing with a religious or political message.  That's right, no "WWJD" bracelets in this mall. Click Here For Full Article. While these rules are going back to court for the third time to see if they are constitutional, I still could not believe this had happened in the first place.  Is this the direction our culture is heading?  What is going be next?  In the future will people not be allowed to talk about God in grocery stores?  Restaurants?  Parks?  What about at schools?  Libraries?  Will movies no longer be allowed to have any type of religious or political messages?  I completely agree with Pacific Justice Institute's President, Brad Dacus, who stated in the article mentioned above, "If anyone can be arrested for wearing a Christian t-shirt or mentioning God in a shopping mall, we have lost not only our freedom, but our sanity as a society."  It seems like as time moves on our culture takes greater steps towards removing our right to think and feel, especially if it relates to what God has commanded. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 that we are the "light of the world" and need to let our light shine so people will glorify God.  He also talks about a very simple but important concept.  When we turn on a light, what are we wanting it to do?  We want it to light up the room and to make it easier to see.  What would be the point in turning on a light and then covering it up?  It is like turning on the water, then turning it off and trying to get a drink.  It is like closing up our mouth and trying to eat.  It just does not make sense to do it that way.  Being the light of the world is a plan that God has put into place.  Christians are to let the light shine in a way that will bring people to God. Stories like Matthew Snatchko's simply reiterate that we live in a world that is lost in darkness (Ephesians 6:12), love the darkness (John 3:19), and are trying to make it even darker.  As Christians, let's keep letting our light shine (Matthew 5:14-16).  No matter what rules and laws we may have in this life, we must remember that God's rules are above all others.  People are lost in darkness, and it is our responsibility as Christians to be the light which brings them out of darkness to Christ. Brett Petrillo

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