It struck me this morning as I was reading through the news, the irony of how China, although it professes Materialism, is growing in spirituality. While the US, which professes to be spiritual, or at least to have a freedom of religion, is moving toward materialism.

It is also ironic how one of the main goals of the revolution in China was the eventual elimination of religion and (presumably) spirituality in favour of materialism. Having wiped the slate clean, the ban on religion and spirituality seemed to play out pretty much how it was meant to play out, at least for a while. But change comes and as even a sliver of freedom appeared, the people ran right back to their spirituality.

Here in the US, the story is moving the other way. There seems to be an all out assault on religion and religious liberty, although this is more perceived than real. Many people in the US remain religious and spiritual, but the system is moving away from allowing them as individuals or as a society to practice this freely. There are stories daily of how the court has ruled against religious liberty. There was a story today about the court ruling against a couple who own a photography company because they refused to photograph a same-sex marriage.

What scares me is how the government and the courts seem to be more willing to force people into doing things they would not otherwise do. They are forcing them to think things they do not agree with. And they are forcing them defend the indefensible.