May 8, 2002
UPDATED June 19, 2023, July 4, 2023
by cdh

President Bush, as he and wife, Laura, hosted a number of people on the occasion of the May 3, 2002 National Day of Prayer, made the statement that we are a "country of faith."

This was a statement that would make a lot of people feel good, especially among those who are considered to be "evangelical Christians." It is this group that has been very supportive of President Bush since his election to the presidency.

In personal conversations I have heard such expressions as, "He's (Bush) a good man," etc. coming from those professing to be born again Christians. To raise some legitimate issues about Bush's performance thus far in his presidency is to automatically incur the wrath of the evangelical Christian segment which does not hesitate to rush to his defense!

Anyway, back to the statement, "This is a country of faith." What evidence is there to suggest that it is indeed precisely that? In context we presume the president is suggesting religious faith -- or even "Christian faith" since the National Day of Prayer is particularly supported and publicized among Christian groups. And the gathering at the White House seemed to be dominated by those who identify with the Christian faith.

Questions to be asked in response to that statement -- IF this is truly a "country of faith" then …..

why on Sundays, which are special days set aside to provide individuals and families an opportunity to express and renew their faith in a setting of public worship, do the vast majority of U.S. citizens choose to turn it into a day of pleasurable pursuits, sports activities of every possible kind, and highly advertised business ventures? On the latter activity some businesses seem to go out of the way to offer special discount sales at about 10 AM Sunday morning. It is most certain that you will never get such discounts at any other hour of the week!

why do we have such groups as the American Civil Liberties Union and others of a similar perverted philosophical bent freely running amuck with no restraint as they continue to "legally" (term used loosely) maneuver for the purpose of having the name of God plus any reference or vocal conversation addressed to Him banned in certain public places under the deceptive guise of "separation of church and state?"

why do we have an ever expanding and prosperous pornography industry encouraging U.S. society to taste its delicacies which range from old fashioned fornication and adultery to putrid perversions such as sodomy, lesbianism, sexual abuse and exploitation of children, exploitation of young teenagers, and sexual activity with animals (bestiality)?

why is the nation plagued with elected officials who think of themselves FIRST (if you question this, get details on their salaries, perks, health care benefits, retirement conditions and benefits as opposed to that of the average citizen they claim to represent!), who concentrate more on how to hold on to that choice plum of a position to which they've been elected, and who over time have so loaded us with tax burdens that it will not be long until the average tax payer will have to work 6 months out of each year just to pay all federal, state, county, and local taxes? And these shysters who throw us a few bones now and then to try to deceive us into thinking they are "serving" us aren't finished with bleeding us yet!

why do we have a powerful media culture (combo of movie, TV, music, radio, print) that more often than not spews out moral, ethical and spiritual content which blasphemes the basic moral values and spiritual principles revealed by a holy God -- the sort of clearly defined values and principles which this God declares to be absolutely necessary for a culture to maintain ongoing stable, peaceful, prosperous, and confident existence?

why (and this is the most critical issue of all) do we as a nation sanction the violent murders of thousands of unborn children every week of the year in the name of a badly distorted and untruthful interpretation of "constitutional rights?" It is practically a foregone conclusion at this stage that this nation will learn the hard way that there is no such thing as a "constitutional right" to step in and deliberately disrupt the special plan Almighty God has for each conceived human being! Want to see why? Just concentrate a bit on the following statements -- no, I didn't come up with them -- they've been around for quite a few centuries -- long before this country ever came into existence!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. Psalm 139:13-18 NKJV

Now then, take about 60 to 90 seconds and gaze at the little number cruncher below -- what it is doing is keeping a running tally of the brutal deaths of the most violent kind -- the extermination of unborn children in the "land of the free and the home of the brave" and also the whole world!

Millions of unborn children have been intentionally murdered all over
the world over time and the United States has contributed tens of millions
to the total - see latest tally at Number of Abortions

Decision time! Will you go away and refuse to acknowledge that this country is in big trouble with the Creator of this mighty universe or just poo poo this issue, sweep it under your mental rug as most politicans and church leaders are choosing to do, and go on your merry way with never a second thought as to the fact that this "country of faith" is perilously perched on the brink of divine judgment?

By now you should be getting the picture -- the statement that the United States is a "country of faith" is quite open to debate and discussion!

So then we ask, "Faith in what or whom?" In light of how the situation is at the present time, we cannot say the prevailing spirit of this nation is one which places faith in the living God through His Son, Jesus Christ. If that were so, the problems and issues just outlined would barely exist at best or not exist at all!

Evidence is rather strong that the prevailing national spirit is one in which "faith" is placed in ourselves, our material resources, our technology, our past accomplishments, our educational institutions, and our military apparatus. And for a number, "faith" is also placed in political leaders. Further, that we have the "right" to make up our own rule book by which we play the game of life, and that said "rule book" is always subject to change and revision at the slightest prompting of our carnal natures! The bitter results of this misplaced and misdirected "faith" is the producing of a culture rampant with idolatry of the most destructive kinds.

Jesus Christ summed it up best of all regarding this issue of faith. It applies both individually and corporately.

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:46-49 NKJV

Since we as a nation obviously do not have our faith centered in Jesus Christ and we as a nation have not chosen to heed His teachings, then we can only expect one outcome, can we not? Oh, oh! Is that the distant rumble of a storm I hear heading this way?

Actually, we should be flying the U.S. flag in the upside down position on a daily basis! You object? In official statements as to how the national banner is to be displayed it is stated that the one time it is proper to fly it upside down is in a time of a dire emergency when life and property are in great danger! Those who are sensitive to God's revelation through the holy Scriptures and the many details as to how God has dealt with past nations and empires which have in spirit given Him the obscene gesture know what happened when appeals to repent and warnings were issued but were totally ignored > judgment resulting in total devastation!