Is America a Christian nation? It was certainly founded by people who believed in God. Thomas Jefferson believed that God gave us life gave us liberty (Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781), and James Madison recognized “the guardianship and guidance of that Almighty Being whose power regulates the destiny of nations” (First Inaugural Address, 1809).
Even the United States Supreme Court has answered the question in the affirmative. In 1892, Justice David J. Brewer stated that “this is a Christian nation” (Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States). Sixty years later, Justice William O. Douglas repeated that theme: “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being” (Zorach v. Clauson, 1952). Christians and atheists alike can argue whether the Supreme Court’s rulings support those statements, but it has never retracted them.
Does our religious heritage continue today? President George W. Bush appears to believe so. He recently declared, “From its earliest days, the United States has been a Nation of faith” (Presidential Proclamation, July 27, 2006).
Even our money proclaims, “In God We Trust.”
But is that enough? “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work when we are trying to instill values in our children, and it doesn’t work when we are tying to convince others – either individually or as a country – to serve our God, either. Jesus didn’t just tell us how much He cared. He showed us by giving Himself up to a painful death on the cross.
In a democracy, government acts through the will of the
people. So we are the government, and we are America. We are
the only ones who can make this a Christian nation. And the
proof is not in our words; it’s in our actions. A Christian
nation is one that follows Christ. Since we are America, it
is not a Christian nation unless we follow Christ. That
includes living as He would have us live.
Saint Paul says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy
and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against
one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14, NIV).”
As Christians, our job is to witness to others through our
lives as well as our words. Unfortunately, we too often send
the wrong message. The world does not see us as a Christian
nation when we burn down abortion clinics, shout “faggot” at
marchers in gay pride parades or picket outside graveyards
while people are grieving inside. True, most American
Christians don’t engage in these activities, but we all do
things that dishonor Christ and keep the world from seeing
us as a Christian nation.
The world doesn’t see America as a Christian nation when we
sign our children up for Sunday morning sports leagues
instead of sending them to church and Sunday School. The
world doesn’t see us as a Christian nation when we pay more
attention to having the biggest house on the block than to
helping the homeless. The world doesn’t see us as a
Christian nation when we look right through our neighbors
because their skin is a different color than ours. The world
doesn’t see us as a Christian nation when we turn our backs
on those who need our help or understanding.
If we encourage our children to bow their heads and pray
silently before eating lunch in the school cafeteria, that’s
evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we don’t set the
example for our children to follow, that’s evidence that we
are not. If we pray for our nation on our own initiative,
that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we wait
for a presidential proclamation to prompt us, that’s
evidence that we are not.
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If we work through the political system to legislate against
immorality, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation.
If we refuse to give the political process a chance, that’s
evidence that we are not.
If we vote our consciences at the polls, that’s evidence
that we are a Christian nation. If we stay home because it’s
too much bother, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we defend our faith when others question it, that’s
evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we stay silent,
that’s evidence that we are not. If we respond to those who
are hurting with compassion and understanding, that’s
evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we deny their
pain, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we watch what we say about others, that’s evidence that
we are a Christian nation. If we gossip or use profanity,
that’s evidence that we are not. If we love other sinners
and preach God’s forgiveness, that’s evidence that we are a
Christian nation. If we fail to forgive others, that’s
evidence that we are not.
If we are there for our neighbors when they need our help,
that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we ignore
their needs, that’s evidence that we are not. If we respect
those who don’t agree with us, that’s evidence that we are a
Christian nation. If we ridicule them, that’s evidence that
we are not.
America is not a Christian nation just because we say it is.
Each of us plays a part in speaking up for our beliefs and
showing the world that we follow Christ. We can say with
Justice Brewer that America is a Christian nation, but words
do not make it so. We can blame the courts for taking God
out of America, but the courts cannot overrule God. Or we
can recognize that we are America, and we are the only ones
who can make it a Christian nation.
God is still in control. But He chooses to work through us,
and if we do not show the world what it means to be a
Christian, no one will. We are America. Let’s show the world
that America is a Christian nation.
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