Christian Living

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The fourth of July means junk food and fireworks to some, but as a country we also need to remember the role that God has played in the holiday.

As we celebrate Independance Day this year, one must wonder what our founding fathers would say about our society's push to remove God from the American landscape.

As we look back, we are forced to remember how these brave men risked their lives to claim our independance, so that future generations would have the freedom to live and worship in any manner they choose. In spite of this historical sacrifice, many activists argue that freedom of religion does not mean an endorsement for Christianity alone. Such an assertion is true, but the use of God's name is applicable to most religions as it is the object of worship for all who support the idea of a higher power. That being said, it also has to be noted that eighty five percent of Americans do call themselves Christian and say they believe in the God who is written about in the Christian Bible. Based on these numbers alone it would seem that keeping God on our currency and within our Pledge to the Flag, and placing the Ten Commandments by our courtroom doors does not violate the civil rights of anyone. In fact, based on the survey results, removing God from these national symbols is actually an insult to the majority of the population.

With so many debates about the separation of church and state we need to remember the motives of those brave men who authored and created our most recognized pieces of Americana. While a trust and unity under God was a prominent theme used by those who wrote the Declaration of Independance, and our Pledge, a Godly trust was also used as a necessary ingredient when creating our system of currency. Our forefathers rightly assumed that matters of such importance required the thumbprint of a much higher authority than could be provided by mere mortals.

In addition, Francis Scott Key also brought God into our history, when writing what has become our national anthem. "And this be our motto, in God is our trust" has never been removed from verse three, despite the criticisms of the anti-God movement. In fact, when this man wrote these words, he laid the foundation for a belief system that was so strong in its faith, that trust in God became the American motto. Key was also a devout Christian who started many Sunday school classes across the country, soon after writing his famous anthem. In spite of his blatant commitment to God, Key is still considered a patriot by Americans today, and many still place their hands over their hearts when his words are sung.

Another point the anti-God movement has missed is what happens in countries that are and always have been Godless. Would the rape and torture chambers in the former Iraq have been tolerated if the country was supported by Godly priciples? Would the politically oriented murders in the former Soviet Union have been tolerated if atheisim not been the national movement? Back here at home, would New York's Twin Towers have fallen if nineteen men had not been obsessed with a radical political viewpoint, that was falsely considered their religion? It is doubtful. The God whom this country has built its trust in does not condone terrorism or injustice of any kind, and one must question whether our continual striving to look for and correct injustice, isn't somehow rooted in a long ago assertion that we would trust in Him.

How ironic that on September 11th, 2001 when our country was shocked and horrifed over the lives lost and buildings destroyed, that it was our own Congress who gathered at the Capital to sing God Bless America, as a show of strength to enemies who may have been watching. Where were the anti-God activists then? Many were probably singing along and praying that the attacks were over. We heard no one complaining when God was sung about in our hour of need.

So as we celebrate this Fourth of July, we need to take our cue from the men and women who allowed this country to be born. We must remember that God was part of their fight for our freedom and He was proudly added to many of the symbols of America that have transcended the generations. Let us also not forget the chaos that has occured around the world when God has been forbidden or misunderstood. Finally, as a nation we must make the commitment to not call on God just in times of tragedy. We need to remember instead, that it was God, however you worship Him, that was there at our birth. It was God that kept us from falling into total chaos through the centuries, and it continues to be God who is the backbone of our American strength.

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