Will the Church Survive?

I see the church as an unfinished work; a work upon which the chisel of its own membership should move. Yet, it is not the constant hand of its own constituency, but the hand of Christendom’s longtime enemy, that shapes the church. I will not address the fact that democracy permits such antagonism beneath the guise of freedom, but, society at large chips away at the church. They seem awash in the spirit of anti-church antagonism. People of all walks are swooning before the persistent propaganda of the anti-church spirit. Repeatedly, they chip at the outer facade of the church; at its walls and foundations. It is an aggression tantamount to war. When the institution has been chiseled away, will the attacks cease? They most certainly will not. Their chisels will then turn upon the individual rights of those within.
Who fights this onslaught? Who is on the front lines? The church seems to sit back and watch. Is equality a real issue these days, or just another guise for the enemy of the church. When the enemy took away the strength of public prayer, what did the church take from the enemy? They took nothing in return; they gave the other cheek. Of course, these things do not fall like an avalanche. Something is taken, and time passes. It all seems commonplace. Then something else is chipped away, and more time passes. No one seems to see the bigger picture.
I am not only writing about the larger issues such as the Pledge of Allegiance, public prayer, and the Ten Commandments. I also write of the smaller matters such as the airport Christmas tree, and the issue of saying "Merry Christmas" in stores. I live in Sioux City, Iowa - an out-of-the-way mid-sized mid-western town. I see the problem not only at a national level, but also at a local level. Years ago, the local elders banned the playing of church music through loud speakers on the outer walls of religious establishments. Yet, the city permits rock and roll to be played publicly, loudly, and customarily. Such events are held several times a year in this town, and are loud enough to be heard in the suburbs. I ask, then, why was not the matter made equal by the taking away of rock and roll music? I can only guess that there are no Christian strongholds in government. If non-religious people are allowed to lobby for non-religious causes, then should not the religious lobby in the same government for religious causes?
Recently, Sioux City attacked the church again. Now, churches are only permitted one church sign, and that must be (as I understand it) on their main, front, or street facing wall. Churches retaining signs on their lawns will now be fined fifty dollars. How ridiculous! Is ownership of property now only a lie? Why should we pay such high prices, and such high property taxes if we are not allowed full, true ownership? I cannot imagine what may come next, but I assure you that such things will continue until Christians stand up and fight back. Will the church survive? That depends on the church goer.