"If
the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) and "And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
Today
(July 4th) is the day in America on which we celebrate Independence Day! But what
did that Independence, gained from Great Britain, entail for the people of
America? It provided a free and open society in which her citizens could enjoy
those inalienable rights granted by God of life (even to a child in its
mother's womb), liberty (the freedom to worship as we please, say what we
please, and do what we please as long as we do not harm others), and the
pursuit of happiness (to plan for and provide for our families, or our own
careers, in whatever way we deem suitable for us). These are not rights granted
by the American government, or any other government – these are rights granted
by God Almighty. Any government that attempts to curtail these rights, or adjudicate
them into privileges, is acting without legitimate authority.
We
should never forget this country was founded upon Christian and Biblical
principles (notwithstanding the recent words of a President who wishes to deny
that America is still a Christian nation). An old friend of mine who is also a
staunch patriot and lover of the American Way, has spent much time and treasure
in sharing artifacts and documents of our founding as a nation. He is the Rev.
James Flanagan of Philadelphia! He sent to my church for posting a beautiful
copy of George Washington's Prayer at Valley Forge which we have been honored
to display at St Andrews:
"Almighty
God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy
holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate
a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a
brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of
the United states at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be
pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the
characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a
humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a
happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen" ~ George Washington
A
report released in May 2011 by Harvard University entitled, "Shaping the
Nation: Estimating the Impact of Fourth of July Using a Natural
Experiment," finds Republicans benefit more from Fourth of July parades
and activities than do Democrats. The study reveals young people below the age
of eighteen who attended at least one patriotic celebration on the 4th of July
are more likely to vote and support the Republican Party. I will leave the
reader to draw the proper conclusion to this report whose aim is likely to
discourage patriotic celebrations as threatening to the socialist agenda.
Perhaps the display of Nativity Scenes and Easter Crosses might have a similar
detrimental impact on the atheist faith as well.
No
President should denigrate our Christian heritage or the values which made our
nation great. Unless America is a Christian nation in the hearts of her people,
and not the lips of a President, we may not be so. But as long as we hold dear
those truths in our hearts to be self-evident that underpinned our founding as
a nation, we shall ever remain strong and free.
It
appears we have ventured far from those principles for which our forefathers
fought and died to establish us as a Nation. The answer to our apostasy is not
in whom we send to Washington to represent us – it lies in the hearts of the
American people themselves to reaffirm. If America returns to God who gave us
liberty, we shall find those to represent us in Washington whose values are
likewise based on biblical and Constitutional principles.
My prayer is that God
will once again shed His Light on Thee, America!
+ Jerry L. Ogles, Presiding Bishop
