Societies Without God?
On March 4, 1789, representatives of the people of the U.S., added several clarifying restrictions to a new Constitution. These restrictions were intended to prevent abuses from being imposed on people by their government. These are called a Bill of Rights. The first of these amendments, reads as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ….”
This part of the first Amendment has been commonly termed, our separation between church and state. In concept, this was necessary due to historical abuses, while in practice, this has more recently been used as an excuse to put God in a closet, rather than to assure the freedom to openly embrace Him. One nation, indivisible, (established) under God, is now one nation, quite divided, with many gods or even no god. I’ve come to grips with “government” per se, being nothing more than people. People have been continuously bound by rules since God called to Moses from Mt. Sinai. These rules were provided for both personal beliefs and behavior, to be extrapolated into society by local, regional and national rulers (or governments). Governments have come and gone. Under one God, we generally find prospering societies. Societies can have many beliefs, multiple interpretations and practices, even multiple names and languages, but strong societies still have only one God. The founding fathers of this nation had differing spiritual interpretations and in some cases, no definitive spiritual beliefs. This is consistent with free will. Our proposed wall between church and state has been no more practical than trying to separate our lives between the sacred and the secular. At some point these worlds overlap or more likely collide. We’ve proven (once again) that restricted beliefs, no beliefs and opposing beliefs are nearly impossible for us to leave at home and still be true to ourselves. Homes, schools, businesses and governments can all function for a few generations with leadership disparity, without collapse, but inevitably the thread wears, the seams split and we are exposed for who we are. This is human nature. Exodus 20:2,3; “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, you shall have no other gods before me.” Hebrews and Greeks (and others since) appear different, speak these words differently, but still refer to only one God. That’s our beginnings but life without God simply leads to our ends. To change our future, we need again amend the details of our past.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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It’d be a shame to waste such talent but are you interested in running for congress?