One Nation Under God?

Maybe you received it this week. It's that chain e-mail, deriding Barack Obama for one of his speeches this week. It seems Mr. Obama was busy making news overseas. This particular speech seemed to offend more than others though. What was it that was so offensive in his speech?

It seems that Mr. Obama made a statement that the United States of America is no longer "one nation under God." Instead, he claims we are one nation of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and several other things - including people who don't believe in any God at all.

Now, I can see where some (especially those who would call themselves Christians) might take offense to such a statement. Them there's fighting words! It is true that our country was founded on Christian principles. But it is also true that for many decades now, even those who profess to be Christians don't behave much like Christians. We don't live by Biblical standards. We don't worship Christ alone. So do we have a right to be offended to wake up one day and discover that we aren't "one nation under God?"

Of course there are those who would argue with Mr. Obama, and declare flatly that we are still very much "one nation under God." Personally, as a self-professing Christian, I don't think that argument holds much water. If we were under God, I think things would look different. We would have made a bunch of decisions differently in the past. And we would have behaved differently. Maybe our founding fathers wanted us to be "one nation under God." But I found little evidence that this has been the case --- for at least the past 100 years.

So, as much as I don't like what Barack Obama said, I am sad to admit that what he said is more accurate than even the most devout Christians would want. Is it too late for us to be "one nation under God?" Frankly, I wonder. We have separated church and state so well, and allowed things like the Saudi government to build thousands of Islamic mosques here, that it would be hard to turn back the hands of time.

Americans, we probably have missed our opportunity to live as "one nation under God." And since that's not what we are, what do you suppose we as a nation could do to repent and return to God? What do you suppose a nation of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews --- and even people who don't believe in any God could do to live at peace? What do you suppose we could do to honor God?

Mr. Obama, I don't like what you say. But I admit that it's true. Now what is your plan to lead such a country?