Editorials
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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.”
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