Today’s post come with much sadness. I have been frequently asking myself lately “why is God being taken out of the United States?”

Patrick Henry said that,

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” (The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii)

Some believe that the separation of church and state was implemented in order to do away with religious responsibility, but the truth is that the founding fathers were honest God fearing men who understood that religion could not be enforced in the U.S. like it was in England.

Jame Madison wrote about the affects that religion had when paired with government powers, when the motives of self proclaimed servants of God became personal gain and power.

“What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wish to subvert the public liberty may have found an established clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not.”  (James Madison, “A Memorial and Remonstrance”, 1785)

History shows that no one person or group of people can have absolute power, or else the pride and shortcomings of man become very apparent. Joseph Smith talks about man’s desire for power in section 121, verses 35-40 from the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen.  And why are they not chosen?  Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.  That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.  Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.  We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.  Hence many are called, but few are chosen.1

Now, how do you keep the people safe from those who would oppress and exploit them, you give them freedom. If the priest is preaching to satisfy his own vain ambition you can go to another church that will support integrity and maintain its purity.

John Hancock spoke boldly about this when he said, “Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.” (History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229)

People need to be free to choose for themselves and of course we hope that people would choose good over evil but in today’s world it seems that the voice for political correctness shouts louder than the voice for morality.

It is so easy to find drugs anywhere in America, pornography used to only be in magazines which the buyer needed a lot of nerve to buy in public but now pornography is everywhere.  It is near impossible to turn on one’s T.V. or browse the internet without finding inappropriate messages and images.

So we have to ask ourselves if this is what the founding fathers wanted for the U.S., a nation given to immorality, or did they want to keep the government from controlling religious practice so that people could be free to worship as they pleased without fear of exploitation and prejudice. I feel personally that the majority of people are trying to be righteous, who still try to live their lives morally clean, but they don’t speak out when their values are under attack.

This weeks is short, but the message is powerful. We the people have an obligation to stand up for righteousness. The founding fathers felt this way and only fools today feel that if we don’t support what is right eventually everything will magically turn out alright.

Benjamin Franklin said “I wish it (Christianity) were more productive of good works … I mean real good works … not holy-day keeping, sermon-hearing … or making long prayers, filled with flatteries and compliments despised by wise men, and much less capable of pleasing the Deity.” (Benjamin Franklin, Works, Vol. VII, p. 75)

From Thomas Jefferson, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: and enough, too, in their opinion.” (Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 1800)

From the great George Washington, “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” (The Writings of Washington, pp. 342-343)

From John Adams, “Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.” (Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9)

And this quote seems to most strongly and noticeably support what I am trying to say, from signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Witherspoon,

“While we give praise to God, the Supreme Disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh … If your cause is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts.  What follows from this? That he is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy of his country.”  (Sermon at Princeton University, “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men,” May 17, 1776)

This country was founded upon the principles which Christ taught, this is a christian nation.  According to Wikipedia, The United States is 76% Christian2. So why don’t we start acting like it. Why do we allow the opinion of a few, alter and corrupt the freedom which we enjoy and want to be virtuous as well. What have we become when we allow the immorality and sacrilege of a few destroy the virtue of many?!

This is a simple call to people of all faiths out there, stand up for what is right! Stand up for what is honest! And in this quickly degrading society stand up for what is true and virtuous!