Chuck Colson Watch: Chucks and Balances
"Chucks and Balances:
Courting Disaster"
a one-act play written by Poppy Dixon
based on:
"Can We Still Pledge Allegiance?:
Recent Supreme Court decisions have short-circuited the democratic process,"
by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey(1)
| SUMMARY of "Can We Still Pledge Allegiance?": Christian Naval Officer William Downes refuses to perform his duties because the naval hospital performs abortions. He is discharged. Colson notes that Christians have a dual allegiance, to God and country. He then complains that the Supreme Court makes it impossible for Christians to impose their religious morals on American society. |
The scene is the judgement seat of Christ. The time is the last day
GOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . an imposing, black woman COLSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . an ex-felon
GOD: Thank you Zoe Colsky, come inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.(2) Now, let's see who's next, Charles Colson, is there a Mr. Colson here? C-O-L-S-O-N?
COLSON: I'm here your honor. I'd like to move for a continuance. I'd like to be seen by God himself.
GOD: Mr. Colson, I am God.
COLSON: Of course, your honor. Uh, I thought . . .
GOD: Mr. Colson, don't you watch television? I want to appear familiar to the defendants seated here. Since most of your TV judges are black women I have assumed this form. Anything else?
COLSON: OK then, I move for a change of venue.
GOD: Mr. Colson, there is only ONE other venue, I don't think that's what you have in mind. Now let me look over your record.
[God leafs through a large binder]
OK, nothing too unusual here, ordinary adolescence, a couple of cigarettes, a little backtalk, hmmm, HELLO!? What's this Watergate period all about?
COLSON: I've paid my debt to society and was washed by the blood of the lamb. That sin was forgiven, your honor.
GOD: Did you ask forgiveness from the people that you wronged? It seems you owe them an apology for trying to undermine their government.
COLSON: Uh, yeah, maybe . . . but you see I've given them an extraordinary opportunity to grow spiritually by forgiving me on their own.
[God glances up from the paper work - she is NOT amused]
GOD: So after you accepted Christ as your Savior you repented from your sins? Repent means 'turned from' Mr. Colson. Did you turn away from your sins?
COLSON: Uh, yeah. I mean yes, definitely yes.
GOD: OK, let me just check the rest of your record. I see in section 28B that you took quite a stand against the US Supreme Court. It looks as if you were still trying to undermine the American Government. I thought you said you turned away from all that.
COLSON: Well, the Supreme Court is not elected and it circumvents the democratic process and it votes against YOUR word, your honor, and they just won't listen to ME.
GOD: Stop whining, Mr. Colson, it's unbecoming. Now let's take this one step at a time. A Supreme Court Justice is appointed by the President, an elected official and then that appointment is approved by Congress which is also elected by the people, isn't that so?
COLSON: Well, yes.
GOD: So how does that circumvent the democratic process?
COLSON: Well, uh, you see your honor, . . . you know, . . . uh, . . . that scarf really brings out the color of your eyes, your honor.
GOD: Right. Now what's this about the court voting against my word? I am unaware of that happening.
COLSON: Well, they let women have abortions and gays have jobs and housing and the next thing you know, dogs and cats will be living together! I was just following your orders.
GOD: Mr. Colson, NOWHERE in the Bible have I EVER said that women could not terminate their pregnancies. Every soul is safe with me until childbirth when it becomes a living person. And you're out of your mind about gay people. I have NO idea where you came up with that one. What do you think your world would be like without gay people? Pretty bland, believe me.
Now in my Word it DOES say to obey your leaders, they are sent by me.(3) Did you miss that verse? And since you accepted Christ as your Savior you MUST know that He has the power to save. He fulfilled the law. When you try to pass laws to enforce morality you are making my Son's sacrifice meaningless.(4) It's obvious you have NOT turned from your wicked ways. Now what do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Colson?
COLSON: Excuse me, your honor, no disrespect intended, but who elected you?
And in other news . . .
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Scott Barnes, a Ross Perot supporter working in the 1992 presidential campaign admitted that he made up the story about Republicans possessing compromising photos of Perot's daughter. The lie was timed to coincide with the wedding of Perot's daughter.
Perot, who believed the story, dropped out of the race accusing Republicans of dirty tricks. FBI investigators found no basis for the allegations. Perot later rejoined the race but had lost most of his supporters.
Barnes had lied under oath to congressional committees about the scandal. He recently told the press that he wanted to come clean as he had become a born-again Christian.(5)
We, at PostFundamentalist Press, feel it is necessary to reiterate that committing a crime, lying to Congress or having an arrest record is NOT a precondition to becoming a Christian, though it might help you with a radio career.
NOTES:
1."Can We Still Pledge Allegiance? Recent Supreme Court decisions have short-circuited the democratic process," by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey. Copyright 1997 by Christianity Today Magazine. April 28, 1997 Vol. 41, No. 5, Page 96.
2. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kindom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
3. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of Bod. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."
4. "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
5. "Perot Backer Says He Made Up '92 Charges," Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle, March 29, 1997.
