Never in world history has individual Liberty been under such massive attack as today. We are witnessing the extinguishment of the last few flames of Freedom. They are flickering and dimming before our eyes. There are stalwart pockets of resistance forming to counter to this satanic assault, but by and large the world has been consumed by tyrannical forces hellbent on enslaving mankind under their absolute dominion. Such a diagnosis sounds alarmist to those not paying attention, but what I’ve described is the grim reality.
Perhaps the saddest aspect of this march toward worldwide despotism and enslavement is that Americans have not only sat in relative silence as their nation was stolen from them, but that they actively assisted in forging their own chains. America’s example is unprecedented. Never before in world history has a nation been so free, had so much promise, prosperity, and power, and then thrown it away so quickly and dramatically. America is no longer the land of the free or home of the brave.
America began as a Christian nation that cherished Freedom, self-government, and personal accountability. We were the most highly educated and informed nation in the world. We spoke better English than the English. European observers who visited America were continually astonished that even the most common American could discuss political matters as if they were the most well-read of statesmen. Americans were moral and upright. They had strong and large families. They established healthy institutions and traditions. The Constitution established by our inspired Founding Fathers is still the greatest, most effective political instrument ever created. It established a new system of government – a representative republic in which rule of law held sway, rights were constitutionally guaranteed, government was severely restricted, and where average individuals held all power over their elected representatives. These early Americans abolished nobility and artificial aristocracy while rightly deeming themselves freemen. Americans lauded themselves for their ability to self-govern, to manage their own affairs, to hold power in themselves, to delegate only certain specific powers to government, and to not be ruled over by lords, kings, or despots. They were God-fearing Christians who considered themselves a new Israel which God raised up for a divine purpose.
These indescribable blessings, powers, and privileges described above prompted Thomas Jefferson to emotionally exclaim: “My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” (Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, June 17, 1785).
Truly, the United States became the most powerful, influential, prosperous, independent, free, industrious, respected country of all-time. Even in our severely diminished and weakened state, people risk life and limb, cross oceans on makeshift rafts or scorching deserts on foot, to reach America. This is a promised land – a land protected by the Almighty so long as its people remain righteous and just and acknowledge Him as their only Sovereign, as our Founding Fathers did. If we will acknowledge Christ as our King and serve Him and keep His commandments, America will never fall. We will dwell safely forever under God’s divine protection. These promises, however, are conditional. The commotion that envelopes us today came as a direct result of our disregard for God and His commandments. When we reject Him, He rejects us and withdraws His protection, guidance, and support. When we choose wicked leaders, God allows them to rule us as a chastisement with the hopes that we will repent and use our agency to pick humble men to direct society back towards God. Unfortunately, the problem now is not that we have elected one or two bad leaders, but that society has generally chosen to disobey God and live according to their own foolish wisdom.
I next want to highlight a few statements by influential Americans during our Founding era which demonstrated their acknowledgement of God and His hand in America’s founding. Unfortunately, these statements are largely omitted from public schools and universities and most people are wholly unaware of the great faith of our forefathers. I believe this has been done deliberately by those scheming for power. When we lose sight of the fact that it was God who established the United States, it is easy to forget our duties and responsibilities to Him. Instead of focusing on the tremendous trust and faith in Deity our Founders possessed, modern scholars, so-called, and their ilk, harp on the Founders’ flaws and imperfections.
For example, instead of praising our forefathers for resisting and circumventing despotic British laws which restricted free trade, modern historians call them a nation of smugglers. By painting them as supposed bigots, racists, misogynists, and criminals, they thus undermine our faith in the work of their hands; namely, the Constitution and other free institutions they established under God’s inspiration. If you truly believe our Founding Fathers were racists and criminals, it is very easy to respond favorably to the call by those grasping for power for a new constitution and new form of government, and to abandon the principles espoused by men such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Instead of teaching the truth that our Founders trusted in God, were religious, and believed they were fulfilling biblical prophesy and bringing forth Zion, we make them out to be selfish aristocrats who were only concerned with safeguarding their own economic interests and power. We say they were products of their time and that, of course, we’re so much more enlightened and advanced today. We essentially call them barbarians while making ourselves out to be so civilized and sophisticated, so tolerant and so wise. By thus demeaning and depicting our noble forefathers, it becomes much easier to dismiss them, their principles, and the government they created. It is therefore crucial that we educate people correctly on who our Founding Fathers and their associates were and what they believed in. I highlight just a few examples of their views and character below.
George Washington declared in his First Inaugural Address: “It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes . . . In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.”
Indeed, no nation has been more richly blessed by Heaven than America. No People inhabits a more choice land. And George Washington knew this and pointed it out in his first speech as president. Why isn’t this speech read to our children in schools? Why don’t politicians quote it and remind us of our duty to live worthily of a continuation of such blessings? Why don’t parents gather their families together and read to them these words of gratitude for God uttered while in official capacity by a past president?
On June 28, 1813, John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson. In this correspondence, he observed: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
In his 1798 “A Defense of the Use of the Bible as a School Book,” Benjamin Rush wrote: “The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life . . .The Bible . . . should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.”
Another time, Benjamin Rush penned: “I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration [i.e. direct revelation], but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament” (Benjamin Rush to Elias Boudinot, July 9, 1788).
That is an astounding view. How many of us today believe that the Constitution is a God-given miracle? I, for one, believe it.
In his 1832 “History of the United States,” Noah Webster recorded: “The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles . . . This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.” In the same work, he wrote: “The moral principles and precepts found in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.”
John Witherspoon, a highly influential pastor during the early days of the Republic, wrote: “He is the best friend to American liberty who is the 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 to his country.”
In his powerful 1796 Farewell Address, the Father of our Country said: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
“It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?”
On March 3, 1797, George Washington wrote simply: “Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.” I cover this topic in more depth in two of my previous articles. Read them at the following links:
http://www.independentamericanparty.org/2015/04/morality-and-religion-pillars-of-free-society-by-zack-strong/
http://www.independentamericanparty.org/2014/05/patrick-henry-a-forgotten-argument-and-the-necessity-of-morality-and-religion-to-a-free-society/
While meeting to craft a new constitution for the fledgling Republic, Benjamin Franklin wrote an address to the Constitutional Convention which, in part, reads: “In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. ”Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel. . . .
“I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of the City be requested to officiate in that service.”
In a July 4, 1837 oration, John Quincy Adams said: “In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.”
Indeed, the Declaration of Independence itself openly acknowledged “Nature’s God,” declared that our rights come from our “Creator,” and confirmed the Founders’ faith in “the protection of divine Providence.” Fifty-six prominent men signed their names to that document and, thus, publicly acknowledged their belief in God and implored Him for protection in their War for Independence from British tyranny. Their petitions were granted most generously by a loving God who wants nothing more than that His children be free and happy.
Though most people consider him a deist of some kind, I greatly enjoy Thomas Paine’s work. He clearly believed in a higher power, though he disliked organized religion and rightly pointed out many of its abuses through the ages. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote in his influential “Common Sense” the following: “But where, say some, is the King of America? I’ll tell you, friend, he reigns above.” He also said that the “law is king.” Interpret these how you wish, but I second the thought that America’s rightful King “reigns above.” Indeed, the only King America will ever have is Jesus Christ, the Lord of earth and sky, Jehovah of the Old Testament, and Savior of those who repent and come unto Him.
I have selected but a few of the many quotations on this subject. Our Founders were God-fearing men of honor and virtue. They publicly and privately acknowledged God as their Creator, Judge, Lawgiver, and King. I honor them and the works of their hands. I honor the sacrifices they made so that their children could breathe free air, worship how they wanted, engage in free trade, and self-govern in the manner most agreeable with their own conscience. Americans were once free to do all they wanted so long as they did not infringe upon the sacred rights of other people. America was a nation of freemen and it is my prayer and my belief that one day we will become free again.
Before that glorious day of redemption comes, however, I fear that we will, as a society, continue to neglect our duties, dwindle in ignorance, unwittingly support scheming cabals which want to enslave us, revel in promiscuity and sin, indulge our increasing pride, reject our Creator, forsake the Constitution and free institutions our Founders created, and spiral downward further and faster. You will increasingly see your neighbors turn on you. Brotherly love will all but cease. You will see your communities sell their souls for government handouts and receive shackles instead. You will witness your children’s schools try to steal them out of your control and turn them against you. You will see common sense die a public death. You will behold as your friends and elected representatives try to coerce you and force you into compliance with their agenda – whether it by forcibly vaccinating your children, forcing you to register firearms, forcing you to have RFID on your passport in order to travel, forcing you to carry a national ID card, forcing you to purchase government health insurance, forcing you to cough up your money for taxes, forcing you send your children to public schools, etc. Force is of Satan, Freedom is of God. Remember that.
Make no mistake, an election will not change anything. Electing a Republican in place of a Democrat, or vice versa, will solve nothing. Republicans and Democrats are allies – two sides of the same perverse coin. All mainstream media is controlled by those same powerful corporations and shadowy figures which pull the strings of their political puppets and bilk the world out of its earnings. Churches are infested by parasites and wolves in sheep’s clothing who preach blind obedience to both civil and religious authority. Feminists are trying to destroy traditional male and female roles, thus undermining the family and, by extension, society in general. Agitators use race, class distinctions, and gender as a bait in order to create the chaos out of which they hope, in the name of keeping every one safe, to enslave us. The judicial system, and their corrupt counterparts in law enforcement, rarely dispense justice to the guilty, but instead attack the innocent. Mental delusions and perverse philosophies on everything from sex to medicine to politics are raising their ugly heads and parading in full view. These deluded people are called heroes while the humble, industrious, and virtuous are spit upon and called backward or prudish. Evil is entrenched in every corner of our nation. Every segment of society is overrun by rebellious, self-serving, prideful, manipulative, sinful individuals and entities – some of whom have a deliberate agenda to pervert our morals, increase iniquity, break our cultural ties, erode our good traditions, corrupt our institutions, and lead us by the neck into slavery and darkness. No, an election cannot change our course.
Only a sincere change of heart and behavior can save America. This begins on an individual level as people come to Christ and try to live His commandments. We cannot be a light to others if there is darkness in our souls. This change of heart then must take root in our homes. We MUST fix our broken homes. A nation cannot survive in Freedom and prosperity when its families are in a shambles. It’s simply not possible. Children must be taught to honor and obey their parents, and parents must train their children to serve God and be virtuous. Once broken families are mended, a ripple will fly through society and real change will occur.
In short, we must repent of our individual and national sins and worship God. We must eradicate that which is eroding our foundation of faith and virtue, of law and individual Liberty and accountability. We cannot participate in wickedness and expect God to bless and heal our land. We cannot choose evil and believe that God won’t mind. We cannot sit apathetically as our nation spirals out of control and expect God to reward our laziness by solving all our problems. We cannot set poor examples for our children and then wonder why society at large is degenerate and disorganized. We cannot drink, smoke, swear, and sleep around and then believe that we will receive the blessings that God reserves to those who love Him and keep His commandments. We are not expected to be perfect, though that is the eventual goal, but we are expected to strive to be good, to be moral, to be charitable, to be kind, to forgive others, to be selfless, to be responsible, to fend for ourselves and our families, to protect the rights God has given us, and to love our Father and His Son more than our own lives.
Statesman and religious leader, Ezra Taft Benson, raised a warning voice to Americans in April 1968. He said: “I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care, when the spiritual forces that make us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men, when we disregard the importance of law and order. If American freedom is lost, if America is destroyed, if our blood-bought freedom is surrendered, it will be because of Americans. What’s more, it will probably not be only the work of subversive and criminal Americans. The Benedict Arnolds will not be the only ones to forfeit our freedom. . . . If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers—normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free—Americans who have been lulled away into a false security. Great nations are never conquered from outside unless they are rotten inside. Our greatest national problem today is erosion, not the erosion of the soil, but erosion of the national morality—erosion of traditional enforcement of law and order.”
Billy Graham, another religious leader, wrote the following in a July 19, 2012 article entitled “My Heart Aches for America”: “Some years ago, my wife, Ruth, was reading the draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation’s moral standards and the idolatry of worshiping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled me by exclaiming, ‘If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.’”
Folks, Ruth was correct. God is no respecter of persons. He does not bless and accept someone simply because their lineage traces back to Abraham or because they claim to be a Christian or because they happen to reside in a holy or promised land. No, those who are approved of our Father are those who keep His commandments and serve Him with their whole heart, might, mind, and strength. His standards and commandments are universal. He expects all of His children to love Him and keep His commandments. He grants us our Liberty to choose as we see fit, but He also established consequences for actions long before this world was created. He cannot contradict or ignore His decrees. As His literal children, we were taught and understood these requirements and the consequences for wrong choices before we came down to earth from our heavenly abode. We knew the terms and conditions of mortal life. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world – a world of darkness, confusion, and deception. Yet, the shifting sands of public opinion can never alter the Lord’s divine decrees. Nations, as well as individuals, rise or fall according to their obedience or disobedience to the Creator.
A nation as peculiarly blessed and prospered by the Lord as the United States will received the greater condemnation for rebellion. We were established by God, were given an inspired Constitution, and were set at perfect Liberty to govern ourselves. What have we done with that Liberty? What have we chosen? The fact that we, as a People, have chosen to reject the God who blessed us, makes my heart ache, too. The historical pattern is clear – those nations which reject God are cursed while those who accept and serve Him are blessed. This is not alarmism, it is reality and I will declare it despite all the scorn and mockery of the world. Our Founding Fathers also understood these concepts and openly said that the system of government they created for us would only work if we remained moral and religious. Our system is now broken because we have become immoral and antagonistic to God. Virtue leads to happiness and Freedom, vice leads to misery and destruction.
Our loving Father has given us the right and ability to choose. Will we choose Him? Or will we choose the promised consequences of disobedience? I cherish the right to choose, but I mourn that we have made the wrong choice. We’re better than this. Let’s look to God and live. We can begin this process by adopting an attitude of gratitude for all that the Lord has blessed America with. Truly, no nation has been so indescribably blessed in every way. I repeat, and second, what the Sage of Monticello wrote 230 years ago because it is as relevant as if it were written yesterday:
“My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!”
It is my heartfelt prayer that we will realize what precious blessings we still posses – blessings which, though fewer than before, still surpass those of any other nation under the sun.