Free to Choose ~ Deacon Brendan Brides

Recently, while watching TV, the son of one of my great heroes appeared in an advertisement promoting atheism. Ronald Reagan Junior proudly presented himself as being a "lifelong atheist" and he encouraged others to look into this form of "belief." At first I thought the "Gipper" would turn in his grave - but then again, maybe not. The freedom that allows Ron Junior to publicly air his beliefs on television is the same freedom that allows every Catholic priest throughout this country to stand before the congregation each day and say "behold the lamb of God...."

What I "liked" about the commercial is that it stood as a reminder for all of us that as followers of Christ we are not conscripted into service but rather, we are offered the freedom of choice to follow Him - or not. Ron Senior once said: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the blood stream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on to them to do the same."

As citizens of the United States, and the many free countries throughout the world, we have that freedom. How we use our religious freedom is our choice - let us choose wisely.