America's Heritage

Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure my self that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence.
From George Washington's First Inaugural Address

"One Nation under God?"

In their campaign to heathenize America, the most significant and powerful accomplishment of the liberals to date has been the successful propagation of the insidious lie that America is not and has never been a Christian nation.

Even a cursory examination of our nation’s history belies this theory; yet many American Christians have accepted this falsehood and are reluctant to become too involved in the political process else they be accused of advocating a "theocracy" or imposing their beliefs upon non-Christian Americans.

Tolerance of other’s beliefs, or lack thereof, is not only fundamental to American freedom and democracy, but it is also a necessary ingredient of true Christianity. Our Creator, in His infinite wisdom, gave us each and every one the freedom and responsibility of making a personal decision to accept or reject the Lord Jesus as our personal savior. Therefore, while it is incumbent upon us as Christians to spread the Gospel, and do everything within our power to inform and educate non-believers about the amazing saving grace of Jesus, we must remain tolerant of their God given right and responsibility to make a personal decision.

However, this tolerance does not pre-empt our right to defend and promote our beliefs and values, and it does not preclude our right and responsibility to fully participate in the political process. It also does not mean that we should allow anyone to destroy all that is decent and good in America, or that we should be a party to the re-writing of our history, or denial of the fact that this country was founded by Christian men and women and built upon religious principles.

Our history books are filled with statements by our great leaders—Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Webster, Lincoln, etc.—that prove beyond doubt that they recognized the importance of religion in our society, and realized that our republic could not succeed without it.

Perhaps the most profound analysis of the importance of Christianity in America came from a non-American—the French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville—who visited America in the early 1830s to study our democracy. De Tocqueville was overwhelmed by the influence and impact of Christianity on our society, as documented in his great work "Democracy in America."

Tocqueville wrote: "There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America; and there can be no greater proof of its utility and conformity to human nature than that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth." He is also thought to be the originator of the following popular quotation: "Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the greatness and the genius of America. America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

These truths are just as pertinent and imperative today as they were when they were penned. Indeed, the consequences and results of our failure to adhere to the Biblical principles and values that our nation was founded upon are evident in the headlines of our newspapers every day.

The great evangelist Charles G. Finney said "The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics..." and "Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God."

In order for America to once again become great, America must once again become good. This will only be accomplished by Christian Americans doing their duty to God and country by becoming involved in the political process and electing good, decent, moral, and Godly men and women as their leaders.