In God We Trust

We say it. We put it on our money. But do we believe it?

In the 1980’s the Great Communicator began to tell us about the intrinsic goodness — no greatness — of America and the American people. He also told us about the Evil Empire. During that time, some among evangelical Christianity began to see an opportunity to “return” America to God. The Creator that endowed us with inalienable rights. Unlike the government of Rome that ruled much of the world in a dictatorial way, we are members of a society that prides itself of being “of the people, by the people and for the people.” That means we have a say in how it runs.

Being good family-values centered, Bible-believing Christians, some began to see a way to take advantage of the country’s return to family values and put an end to some of the more grievous “sins” that had crept into “our” society. With a label of the “Moral Majority” they began to insert themselves into the conservative side of the political spectrum, promising a large group of followers with a unified set of beliefs.

With this large following presumed to be somewhat in lock-step, the leaders of the Moral Majority slowly gained access to the insides of government. Amicus briefs began to take more aggressively pro-life (anti-abortion if you like) positions. More normal-family v gay rights.

Think about it. It’s the opportunity to implement God’s righteousness. God’s justice. Bring everyone closer to godliness — or else.

So the polarization began. Those in agreement pushed for more and more. Those opposed fought harder and harder. A great legal mind was denied a seat on the Supreme Court because both sides were running “litmus tests,” or at least each side claimed the other side was, and the opposition got the upper hand.

Even when the White House was off-limits for eight years, the House and Senate were on the right side most of the time. The label “Moral Majority” gave way to other names, and splintered to some degree. Then they were back “in.” And they ramped-up the efforts to create that “Christian” nation.

The last two weeks the walls came tumbling down. It began with the fall of a leader of one of those politically active Christian groups. Following closely was the end of access to the leadership of the entire legislative branch of the national government. Could even lose access to the White House again in two years.

Take a deep breath. Withdrawal is hard. The chills, sweats, shakes.

Do you trust in God? You should. And come to think of it, it’s about time we trusted God rather than our political connections. Let’s take trust in God off our money and put it back in our lives where it belongs.