Now that the 2014 elections are over and we have elected a
significant number of common-sense legislators and governors into office, it’s
time to organize and begin to turn this ship of state around away from the
rocky shoals it was headed for.
Our first course correction must steer us toward a
reaffirmation of our national motto: “In God We Trust,” and a frank discussion
of its meaning, and how it should impact public policy.
It’s interesting to note that even among our most
conservative politicians, no one—not a single one that I have heard—has spoken
about this fundamental truth that has produced the greatest nation the world
has ever known. It is the architectural framework that must prevail if the
American experiment is to continue and succeed.
Are they afraid to stand on what they believe? Are they listening to
their political consultants advising them to refrain from using the “G” word?
It’s time for men and women of courage to state firmly—and
without equivocation—the foundation of their political world view. It is as
African-American Civil Rights leader, Frederick Douglass, told us,
[i]“I have one great political idea. . . . That idea is an
old one. It is widely and generally assented to; nevertheless, it is very
generally trampled upon and disregarded. The best expression of it, I have
found in the Bible. It is in substance, “Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin
is a reproach to any people” [Proverbs 14:34]. . . This constitutes my politics
– the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics. . . .
I feel it my duty to do all in my power to infuse this idea into the public
mind, that it may speedily be recognized and practiced upon by our people."
That idea is
summarized in our national motto, and reaffirmed in the phrase, “One nation
Under God.” By our
silence we have allowed a consistent drift away from these sure moorings that
have led to peace and prosperity unknown in the world from its creation.
WHY ARE THESE IDEAS
SO IMPORTANT?
Consider the
fact that our founders never said, “In Government We Trust,” or “In the
Constitution We Trust,” or even “In We the People We Trust.” No, our trust is
in something even greater—the God of the universe!
Governments
change; the Constitution changes; we the people certainly change, but God never
changes, and putting our trust in Him has provided a firm and stable reference
point, our North Star, so-to-speak, that has allowed us to live under one form
of government for over 200 years, a fact that Americans take for granted, but
is nevertheless unheard of in other parts of the world. We enjoy living under
the longest ever Constitutional republic. Our War for Independence came at a
time when other nations were also seeking liberty, but none have enjoyed the
peace and prosperity we have known.
France, who had their Revolution shortly after our War for Independence
has known more than seven different forms of government since then. Italy has
had over fifty! As Americans,
we could never imagine what it would be like to go to bed at night wondering
what our government was going to look like in the morning, but in the rest of
the world that is not an uncommon experience.
Why? It’s because
we have put our trust, not in the unstable minds and hands of people, parties
or parchments, but we have placed our trust in the unchanging sovereignty of
God.
THE KEY TO UNITY
The idea that
we are “One Nation Under God” also serves to provide a source of unity
necessary for continued peace and progress.
We have seen the negative impact of “identity politics,” and by every
measure it has proven to be counter-productive. Race relations have not
improved, and studies show they have gotten worse. We must reaffirm, and
incorporate into our lives and politics the truth that we are one nation—black,
white, yellow, Hispanic, rich, poor, whatever, we are all Americans—one,
nation, one people, under one God. This
must be the common, unifying and equalizing principle that brings us together
as an American family. Someone might then say, “But where does that leave
people who don’t believe in God?” Let me answer as President Eisenhower did,
[ii]“Without
God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life.
Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first –the most basic- expression of
Americanism.”
So then, it is clear that
anyone who does not believe in God may certainly enjoy the benefits of
citizenship as long as they meet the legal requirements, but they can never be
an American in spirit if they cannot even subscribe to our national motto, “In
God We Trust.”
CONCLUSION
Let the turn-around begin, but my word
to newly elected legislators and all those who hold public office is
“Be not afraid to speak of
what you believe, and boldly reset our
nation- with a clear voice- on that firm foundation expressed in our national
motto, “In God We Trust.”
Let that be the beginning of the
turn-around and I believe He will bless it and grant us success for the benefit
of coming generations.
