We live in a haunted world.  Never before in the history of the Republic have so many with so much in their power felt so threatened.  The world and its power centers are more tightly coupled than ever before.  The future is uncertain and the collective unconscious of America feels it keenly.  The economy is erratic and unstable.  Pornography streams into our homes like crack cocaine via the internet and cable TV.  Homosexuality and its myriad of predatorial perversions are more militant than ever before and it threatens our children directly.  The traditional nuclear family is rapidly becoming a relic.  The country is sharply divided between red states and blue states and we can no longer truly call ourselves “one nation under God.”  The tragic truth is that we are balkanized; we are many nations under many gods and sometimes no god at all, and many in power are delighted by it.  The media has become a propaganda machine and our politicians are seriously compromised.  Recently an irate man flew his airplane into an IRS building.  Where does it all end?  Chaos and mayhem?  Is America’s destiny sealed?  Have we thumbed our collective nose at God for the last time?  For a generation in our country we have been calling good evil and evil good.  Can America be saved?  Should America be saved?  Or, like the corrupted Roman Empire, does she richly deserve to collapse from within?  Alexander Solzhenitsyn, in his brilliant Harvard Commencement Address of 1978 rightly identified these  very troubling undertones.  He stated, “The fight for our planet, physical and spiritual, a fight of cosmic proportions, is not a vague matter of the future; it has already started. The forces of Evil have begun their decisive offensive, you can feel their pressure, and yet your screens and publications are full of prescribed smiles and raised glasses. What is the joy about?” 

A great number of writings and posts could be and have been constructed regarding America’s numerous failings.  Moral, financial, legal, spiritual, mental, emotional, ethical, intellectual, political and all manner of significant (and occasionally catastrophic) failure have come to this land as though an unknown and highly toxic poison has worked its way into the national food supply.  It is time to look at our country as it truly is, not as we would like it to be.  It is time to look at America in a similar fashion as Gene Kranz viewed the ill fated Apollo 13.  It is time to ask the question: “What do we have in this nation that is still good?”  As pessimistic as the question may sound, the answers should do a great deal to sweeten this bad tasting question.  Thus Conservative Christian America asks the question:  What is still good about America?  

Sometimes the pessimism that seems to pour forth from the media can be overwhelming as all “real news,” they tell is, is bad news.  While there is an element of truth to that particular dilemma of news (that much news is inherently bad news), it is not the whole truth.  The truth is, that although bad things are happening in America, not everything about America is bad.  In fact, there is a whole bunch of good still in America, and it can be found by those who seek it.  America, from top to bottom is a nation that was founded upon an ideal.  GK Chesterton once wrote that “America is the only nation in the world that was founded on a creed.”  What is that creed and does it still matter? 

John Quincy Adams, (the son of John and Abigail Adams – our 6th President) said on July 4, 1821, “The highest glory of the American revolution was this; that it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”  On July 4, 1837, he reiterated, “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns to this day?  Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior?  That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation?  Is it not that the declaration of independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the redeemer’s mission upon earth?”

On what basis did President Adams make such bold statements?  It sounds to me like he spat on the golden calf of political correctness.  It sounds to me like he dared to violate the all powerful and ever fair “separation of church and state.”  I have no doubt that if an American President would make such a proclamation in this day and age there would be massive public outcry from every liberal group on the planet, including those in Europe and the United Nations.  There would be callings for apologies, resignations, and congressional investigations.  The media would make the story font page news for weeks on end, with constant insinuations that the President is a religious fanatic who wants to “impose” his “narrow minded” and “intolerant” religious views upon us all.  In short, that President would be called wicked, and labeled as a dangerous lunatic.  The liberal left would be “righteously indignant.”  They would be galvanized and united in the cause of his total destruction.      

John Quincy Adams, interestingly enough, was the only President to reenter politics after having served as President.  He became a congressman in 1831, where he adamantly opposed slavery.  Picking up the nickname “the hell-hound of slavery,” he single handedly led the fight to lift the gag rule which had prohibited discussion of the slavery issue in congress.  When asked why he never seemed discouraged or depressed by championing such an unpopular cause, he replied: “Duty is ours; results are God’s.” 

Many years ago I attended a very realistic media awareness class (given as part of a training event in Hoenfhels, Germany).  They had reporters with camera men and real news cameras interview each and every one of us.  When it was my turn, the woman who was the reporter put her microphone right up to my face, and with this large camera pointed right at me and she said, “So Chaplain, do you believe in separation of church and state?”  I was a little intimidated, and taken aback.  But I paused and thought about it, and I answered her question this way:

If you ask the average working man on the streets about the First Amendment’s wall of separation between church and state, he would probably say that he is all for it and that we need to keep it.  The only problem with believing that is this:  The First Amendment doesn’t mention a wall, it doesn’t mention separation, it doesn’t mention the church, and it doesn’t mention the state.  But hey, outside of that, it’s pretty close.  What the First Amendment does state is the following:  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”  The phrase “wall of separation between church and state” doesn’t appear in the Constitution.  It doesn’t appear in the Articles of Confederation.  In fact, it doesn’t appear in any government document.

Why does this matter and is this good news?  Our entire Constitutional experiment is founded upon higher law.  And try though they may, it will be near unto impossible for the liberals to erase that pesky Declaration of Independence.  The various and sundry liberal fringe groups can fight all they want against nativity scenes and the pledge of allegiance and public references to God, but they face a nearly impossible task in re-writing this nation’s true and godly history. 

Time Magazine (Feb. 15, 1954. p. 49.) quoted liberal Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren as saying, "I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing the Good Book and the good Spirit of the Savior have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses.... Whether we look to the First Charter of Virginia, or to the Charter of New England, or to the Charter of Massachusetts Bay, or to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. The same object is present; a Christian land governed by Christian principles. I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it; freedom of belief, of expression, of assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice of the law, and the reservation of powers to the people. I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country."

Why does this matter and is this really good news?  What is still good about America?  The truth is that Earl Warren, liberal as he was, was correct about one thing.  We have a Christian Heritage.  Patrick Henry was right when he said this great nation was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The US Supreme Court made the same declaration in 1892 when they wrote (Church of the Holy Trinity vs. the United States), “Our laws and institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of Mankind.”  Our National Heritage is true, no matter what has become of it, our origins and the ideologies thereof are good.  And in this one truth we can secure victory in this country, so long as we have the courage to fight for it and return to it.  History has demonstrated again and again that nations that abandon God have no hope at all; they are doomed to brutality, cruelty, suffering and unimaginable oppression.  Nations who abandon true righteousness invariably lead their people on a path of bondage and destruction, and that pathway can be steep, rapid and slippery.  There is not a single case in recorded history to the contrary.  Winston Churchill reminded us of this cold hard fact in the face of Hitler’s oppression.  He stated,

There is nothing new in the story. It is as old as the sibylline books. It falls into that long, dismal catalog of the fruitlessness of experience and the confirmed unteachability of mankind. Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong—these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history.

My fellow Americans, I beg you remember that in spite of everything, the power of America still lies in its citizenry and in the God who made us free.  One man or woman really can make a difference.  Ronald Reagan turned around many of America’s most daunting problems almost overnight.  The 1980’s were among the greatest periods of peace and prosperity the country has ever known, and with the concurring aid of Divine Providence, and some leaders with a little chutzpa, there is no reason to believe we cannot have true peace and prosperity once more.  There remains a quiet multitude of good hearted people in this country that don’t belong to a special interest group, but who work hard, raise their children and do their best to live well.  There remain churches, ministries and preachers in this country who are honest and who really do want to help people.  There remains a people of faith who are wanting to mitigate the wickedness of atheism, postmodernism and secular humanism and all their horrible influence on society.  The God who blessed America is the same God who blessed America at her inception; the Lord changes not.  He still has the power to save us and even to unite us to some degree.  All it takes is you.  Please stand with us as we fight.  

                                     WAKE UP AMERICA PART II  

Please Join Us As We Fight.  Take a Stand Today:

1.      Call your elected representative and get involved now.  Take a few minutes and let them know what you think about the issues you care about today.  Let them hear your voice about government run health care and the many other issues that we all currently face.  The Capitol Hill switchboard number is: (202) 224-3121,  or toll free at 1-877-851-6437.   It only takes a few minutes to make a call, and your vote does matter.  Remember in the year 2000, that the President of the United States was elected by 537 votes in Florida.  The margin of victory was 0.0092%.  For every one person who actually calls or writes their elected leaders, there are generally hundreds, if not thousands that he or she is speaking for.  Remember to always be polite, respectful and to the point when calling.      

   2.   If you have not already done so, REGISTER, click on link and take advantage 

       of your precious right to VOTE.  Voting is more than a right, it is a duty and a

       privilege.  Stay informed of the issues and carefully consider who and what you are

       voting for. 

3.      Get yourself and your family involved in a decent church.  There are no perfect churches, but there are decent ones out there.  Find one and remember that God requires us to keep holy the Sabbath Day.  Church attendance is a benefit and blessing of a free society, and it is a basic human need.  Do not take this freedom lightly or one day it may be gone. 

4.   Support your local candidate or run for office yourself.  Want change for the better?  Make it happen.  Take time to visit your local party headquarters when it matters most – immediately prior to an important election.

5.      Watch out for your neighbors, and help them when there in genuine need.  Like it or not, we are our brother’s keeper, and that implies moral obligation to those in need.      

6.      Get involved in worthwhile causes and para-church organizations such as the Manhattan Declaration and so many others that are fighting for liberty and the common good of humanity.  Getting involved can be a lot easier that it seems and with the internet at your fingertips, one can "get involved" in about 5 minutes.  Your voice counts!

7.      Speak out whenever an opportunity presents itself.  Let your voice be heard; be salt and light.  Comment on news stories; write letters to the editor.  We are convinced there is a quiet multitude in this country who will not speak because of the fear of ridicule.  Speak out boldly anyway; and especially if you know in your heart that you are right, and you might just wind up turning a few heads in the right direction. 

8.      Live your life like your influence matters.  It does.  You cannot change the entire world, but you definitely can change your little corner of it. 

9.      Pray and believe in God.  Make a conscious decision to have faith in His eventual triumph over all powers of darkness (both personally and corporately).

10.  If you are married, love your mate; stay faithful in word and deed.  If single, love your Creator, and seek a mate if you wish.  Live a life of integrity.     

11.  Love your children.  Raise them up with godly wisdom and discipline.  Keep them from the horrible influences that are now so pervasive in the culture.  They truly are the future.

12.  Live for God first and foremost.  Live for a purpose that is greater than yourself.  As Saint Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel always – if necessary use words.”  Remember that there are no small rolls in God’s Kingdom.  As Martin Luther so rightly observed: “A woman spinning at the wheel or a man plowing in the field are no less spiritual than a monk praying.”