New Church Life September/October 2015 | Page 7

Editorials what are we looking for? Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12) Many nations and people still look to the Lord and are guided in varying degrees by spiritual values. The official motto of the United States always has been, “In God we trust,” although people often incline to trust themselves instead – and pay the price. Freedom of religion, and a “wall of separation” between faith and government, are healthy principles. But democratic governments throughout the world are increasingly secular. Many of the positive influences of religion are in decline among leaders and citizens. This is not a good thing. Much evil has been done throughout history in the misguided name of religion. We witness evil every day – the deliberate choice of people who have turned their backs on God. Calls to “stand against evil” and Godlessness are heard but ring hollow in a culture of political correctness that resists labeling anything “evil”. Even God-fearing leaders dare not sound “too religious” these days. This is quite a change. In the United States, for instance, presidents once were proudly and openly religious: • George Washington forthrightly set the tone for a new nation: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” He cast the vision: “Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.” • As Abraham Lincoln was about to assume the presidency, in a land headed for Civil War, he openly acknowledged: “Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended (George Washington), I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.” • In the 20th century, Woodrow Wilson felt free to state: “When you have read the Bible, you know it is the Word of God, because it is the key to your heart, your own happiness, and your own duty.” 439