TITLE:  One Nation, Under God
TEXT:  Deuteronomy 4:7-9
PROPOSITION:  America has long claimed to be a nation under God.
QUESTION:  What?
KEY WORD:  Thoughts
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Graduation ceremony – forbidden to pray or speak the name of God. All the guidelines were followed – until – One student stood to speak – sneezed – The entire student body stood and shouted – “God bless you.” The audience applauded. This class found a way to express God’s blessing on their future.
2. 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals – CA – Said “under God” in the pledge was unconstitutional.
   1. Coins – “In God we Trust”
   2. Symbolism of “all seeing eye” on our bills
   3. Chaplain in house and senate
   4. Swearing in of President on a Bible
   5. WHERE WILL IT END?

Where the Pledge came from

1. Written in 1892 – Francis Bellamy – a minister for a flag ceremony
2. Original – “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
3. In 1924 – “my flag” was changed to “the flag of the United States of America”
4. In 1954 – “under God” was added – during Eisenhower administration
5. Phrase origin – Abraham Lincoln – Gettysburg Address – “We resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.”

Is America becoming anti-Christian?

1. Appear weak because of the “hoaxes” –
   1. Religious broadcasting off radio and TV
   2. Proctor and Gamble – satanic
   3. Email – Fax – multiply these false ideas
2. Many churches – becoming secular – show-time worship, appealing to the flesh
3. Trend toward secularization
   1. Less % of Americans attend church regularly
   2. Lowest since WW2 – While about 40% of Americans attend church once a week, this compares with “27 percent of people in Great Britain, 21 percent of the French, 4 percent of Swedes and 3 percent of Japanese.” (From http://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/Releases/1997/Dec97/r121097a.html )
   3. “The latest Gallup Poll I read said 39 percent of senior citizens say they go to church or synagogue every week. According to the same poll, just 26 percent of young adults and 32 percent of middle-aged people say they go to church every week.
      These numbers are down a bit from figures that date back several decades, when the numbers of regular church-goers hovered just above 40 percent.
      The most recent polls suggest church attendance and belief in religion are on a slow decline.” ( from http://www.mailtribune.com/primet/archive/1999/4699p1.htm )

Separation of Church and State

1. Our government cannot establish a religion.
2. We do not have a state church – like England, Germany, France, etc.
3. Our government cannot hinder the free exercise of religion.
4. We believe in religious freedom – even for those we believe are wrong in doctrine and worship.

America is founded on values.

1. Declaration of Independence – “of nature’s God”; “endowed by their Creator.”
2. Every President since Washington in 1789 – oath ends with “So help me God.”
3. Constitution – Adopted “in the year of our Lord 1787”
4. Supreme Court begins each session – “God save the United States and this honorable court.”

Rights – Where do they come from?

1. NOT from nature – Fair trial, Police cannot invade your home
2. EITHER Human produced – by majority vote, by rule of law
3. OR God produced – our values came from God

Pray for America

1. Become involved in the process

2. Live a consistent life

3. Remain faithful

Alexis de Tocqueville, French statesman, 1831 – Quote (see below)

We need more than patriotism.

1.        We can be proud of our country, heritage, and history.

2.        We can defend her, fight for her, and seek to improve our nation.

3.        But America will not save us.

4.        We need faith – God – Jesus

5.        If America crumbles – becomes atheistic – we still need to serve God.

Alexis de Tocqueville – French statesman – 1831

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic congress and her matchless constitution, and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”