THE DECLINE OF BELIEF ...

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! Abraham Lincoln, March 30, 1863

It has been stated, on more than one occasion during the length of the campaign season, that it is not prudent to base your election principals on beliefs or morals. I truly disagree, and furthermore, I wholly entrust that this was not the intent of the founders of this nation. Many, if not all of the members of the Continental Congress, were believers of Christian principals and faith, and have implied in writings throughout their careers as lawmakers, judicial officials and members of the executive branches within their own states and in the United States, that these principals are in standing with what they were attempting to establish in a Free Republic, The United States of America.

Before we get into the above statement, let me enlighten those few in the differences between a Republic and a Democracy. Don't get caught up in the titles. The Peoples Republic of China is not a republic, nor was the former United Soviet Socialist Republic. Though most will agree that neither are is different than the other, the glaring difference is that in a Democracy, MAN is the final authority and in a Republic, GOD is the final authority. Let me explain. True, America is a democratic nation, it is considered a Majority Democracy. We elect the individuals into the legislative branch, who in turn are our voice in the government. More importantly, we are a Republic because the majority cannot govern without restraint. So truly we are a Free Republic Democracy. Confused? Don't be. Early founders, scholars and politicians alike used the belief in God as their galvanization in the drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. "The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty. A student's perusal of the sacred volume will make him a better citizen, a better father, a better husband." - Thomas Jefferson

So, why have we abandoned our Christian beliefs in government?
1. As a nation we have misplaced our trust in God.
2. As individuals we have been seduced by an indulgent lifestyle.
3 As Christians we have allowed our influence to remain silent.

For too long, we have sat idly by and witnessed the removal of God from society. They have removed the word "God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, crying 'separation of church and state'. Several affirmative actions and civil liberties groups actually want to remove the phrase "In God We Trust" from our currency. These acts, among others is a desecration not only to the beliefs of the founding roots of this great nation, it is a stab at all Christians, nationwide. Too long, our voices have been passive. It is time, as a Christian nation we stand together and finally let our voices be heard. Only one in four Christians vote.

One of the numerous cases being heard by the Supreme Court, in the not so distant future, will be prohibiting federal courts from removing "Under God" from or Pledge of Allegiance. The public supports this overwhelmingly with 91%, but on 60% of the House voted for it. And as for removing the Ten Commandments from federal courthouses ... 76% of the public want them to stay, only 57% of congress as a whole. This election day, remember this one thing ... Congress does not represent the values of the people, congress reflects the values of the people that vote.

Jordan Fleck / Everitt Whiddon