Next Sunday, our country will be celebrating its 245th birthday, giving each of us a chance to say, “Happy Birthday America.” I intentionally stay away from political things in my columns.
However, since this week I am suggesting we as people of faith should share our values, some readers may assume my motivation is political. I am not writing to promote either the Republican or Democratic Party.
To make this point allow me to share the words of two leaders who preceded both of our current political parties.
Our first president, George Washington, said the following in his 1796
Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” He went on to warn “morality can[not] be maintained without religion.”
John Adams, our second president, made a similar point when he said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Based upon these statements author Mark Pulliam made this incredibly perceptive observation: “Abandoning the public square is not just a disservice to organized religion; it is a threat to the survival of a free society.”
Allow another observation. During Jesus’ 33 years of ministry, he consistently stood up for what was right, but refused to participate in political debates. Two men he called to be his apostles were from diverse political groups. Simon the Zealot was part of a group committed to overthrowing the Roman government— while Matthew was a tax collector for Rome.
