One Nation under God ?

Very nicely written Carolee.

There are days when He feels closer than others. Those are probably the days when I need Him most or when I am doing what He intends for me to do.

I agree that God blesses us. When I was writing my novel I felt like He was looking over my shoulder and visiting me in my dreams every night. I truly believe that much of my story was written under His influence and blessing.

agreed...

Very good article. Very inspiring!! I really need to walk closer to Him myself!! I really try!

I can help you with some of this, Carolee. The laws that man has made, the constitution in particular, are not made to control what God does, but what humans do to each other. Of course, the constitution expressly says that "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof". The first part of this means that no religion shall be "established" as the official religion of the government. The second part means the individual's right to free exercise of his or her own religious beliefs is not to be restricted. In case law between the time of the founders and now, it has been the traditional interpretation of these simple statements that the rights of religious minorities must be protected, so that they don't feel oppressed or intimidated by the majority in this 'land of the free'. Indeed, in what other way are the rights that each of us are guaranteed to be protected? So the reality of how the Bill of Rights has been interpreted is pretty opposite the question in your first paragraph. As a religious minority, I'm mighty glad that my rights to express my beliefs are protected along with the majority, and I'm also glad that the majority religious group is prevented from forcing me to recite prayers, attend ceremonies, or hear messages than run contrary to those of my minority group, which you could describe as "scientific naturalism".

Carolee, my heart also swells when I do the right thing, according to my own conscience. We each have different motivations, and different ideas of "the right thing". Therefore, this country cannot, and this is according to the constitution, cannot be one nation under God, because not all of us believe in any kind of deity, yours, his, hers, or anybody else's. I am personally committed to non-violent interpersonal relations and international relations, and I do my best not to become embroiled in discussions of the "whose god is best" type. I think it is best to let my neighbor live as he lets me live, in freedom to believe and speak and write as we see fit, and in peace within our neighborhood and town.

Thats right. Thank-you. How dare we take God out of our country! he is the One that Created the whole universe. We do not deserve Gods blessings, but he graciously blesses. He has had mercy on us. Once you have asked Jesus into your heart and put your faith in Him then He is always with you, and you can always talk to Him.

wow that is powerful! I know when God talks to me but what I don't know is how to shut up the devil.

Some very interesting and valid points Rick.

Carolee,You are so right. I was brought up to know God. I have a poem here on gather. It's called ,Let our children pray. If you get a chance check it out. . I think you might like it. This is a very good article. thanks for sharing.

There are no gods. If there is a god how could it allow such evil in the world?

Carolee, this is a lovely tribute to our God. Every word you have written here has been recorded by the angels, and will go down, or should I say up, to the mansion worlds for further distribution and blessings.

As for the Separation of Church and State, does any government need a Master/God/Creator/Father/Authority over it? Does man really believe himself to be the supreme ruler of Universe, with no authority over him? Maybe that's why we have all this war/evil, eh? We fight to be numero uno. And what will we think when we are actually shown that there is life/spirit beyond earthlings? Perhaps then every knee will bow, yes?

db10, b/c I want to absorb all comments too, and have so many postings to catch up today! :-)

I struggled with the "one nation under God" thing when I first moved here. My kids wondered why everyone prayed to a flag in school; my oldest kid wondered why non-believers took God's name in vain and called it a pledge of allegiance. And I thought all nations were under God by definition as He is Lord of all. A lot of meanings are cultural, and it has taken time for me to learn American culture. Even so, I'm only part of one part of American culture, and one of the strengths of our constitution is its attempt to avoid alienating minorities. I will pray, and believe God is in charge, whatever the pledge of allegiance says. And my neighbor will not pray, and not believe in God, and be just as loyal and valuable a member of this country.

I have no problem with honoring the Divine, I just have problems with people who think that there is only one name for god, whether they think that name is Jesus or Allah.

Good article.

A ten for speaking straight from the heart Carolee, and putting it out there. I happen to 100% disagree with everything you state; however, that is not the point here. Rick M. has invited folks to take up a discussion on this topic. Now, I don't at all see eye-to-eye with Rick either. I am neither atheist nor Christian. I do believe that those who believe implicitly in the "Word of God" are free to do so. We who do not - and that's a fair percentage of the world's population - need to be given due respect for our beliefs as well.

Personally, I remain silent during that (added in later) portion of the pledge. I think it is truly against everyone's best interest to violate the U.S. Constitution by disregarding the principle of separation of Church and State. In the name of all that is holy, and for the sake of peace - please let's all follow the wise dictum of "live and let live". All people of faith need to unite to stand against people with evil intentions. If one should choose to believe in Satan or whatever...let's be friends to one and other; respecting, supporting and seeking to understand everyone's faith and form of worship. Humbly, JRG

Beautifully written on a very important topic. I believe in God, and more importantly, He believes in me.

Well-said, Jared.

Thanks for your replies and Rick and Jared thanks for your insight
http://www.thesop.org/html/writers.php?writer=thoughtsbycarolee Carolee

It's obvious to me that there can only be one God. But, there certainly are many different interpretations and views thereof.

It doesn't make sense to me to have a discussion of whose God is better. After all, aren't they all one and the same?

Perhaps it should be about who has the most accurate concept of the Almighty. I suspect that if people of different faiths examine their differences, they'll find that their perceived images of God really are reconcilable.

When I was a child, I firmly believed that 'separation of church and state' meant that the United States government could not dictate what religious groups its citizens aligned with. Today, it seems that the phrase is being interpreted as meaning that we mustn't incorporate religious values into law.
To me, this seems like a big mistake, particularly when the precept in question is agreed upon by all major faiths. After all, the moral principles established by all legitimate religious groups are fundamentally based on reality, not made up by someone looking simply to control the people. Thus, failure to comply is likely to be detrimental to the affected society. This is good cause to adhere to them.

Though we have a great nation it is beginning to fall. It must fall but as it is falling Christ is returning to set up a much better world government ruled by him and his father not by man made rules and regulations. So though we mourn the decay of our nation and the lack of trust, truth and morals, We need to rejoice it is one step closer to the Kingdom of God and the rule of Christ and his return.

"Waiting on the Lord" ?

"Pray for God's will" ?

I don't think God will mind if you all do something in the interim to make the world a better place; rather than wait on him to do it for you.

I don't mean to be disrespectful; I am Christian, raised my 4 kids in Catholic schools, and am very spiritual......and active. BUT, jeez, folks.....do something, stop waiting.

When the time comes, and you meet your maker.....Do you think he will penalize you for doing good works? Helping, caring, and being compassionate to ALL people?

Everyday millions of Buddhists ask themselves: "What would the wise teacher Buddha do?" Then, they examine themselves for inconsistencies between their words and actions; and do something to work towards fixing it. They are better Christians than most Christians. Why? Because we visit church once a week, throw money at problems and people,and run hide in suburbia.... While they are actually doing something that is the exact same as 'WWJD?' And we say they are damned, and never going to see heaven? By what right? Arrogance and ignorance....

This country isn't falling because it is Godless......people want to believe. But they can't handle hypocrisy any longer. This country is failing because we are doing hateful, harmful, mean and cruel things to others and pretending to be Christ like!

Walk the talk. Better yet, stop talking and just start doing. Let your actions speak for themselves; and for Christ's sake, please stop whining. I can see Jesus cringing at the state his followers are in. Bottom line? We have to be better than the self serving leaders we have....we need to remove them, and/or lead ourselves in our own way.

Otherwise? Blah, blah, blah......like the parents in a "Peanuts" cartoon....

Christ save us? How about save yourself, and ease up on the guy! How incredibly self centered and egotistical to expect someone to do your work for you; and incredibly presumptuous to Expect him to fix our blunders.

A lot of people have sucky lives, or have to deal with pain and circumstances beyond their control.....just trying to hang in each day is enough. If that is you, that we should be helping you out of your mess.....whether its an abusive marriage, terrible environment, poverty, etc.. Ask for help, look for help.....people can be wonderful. But if you are sitting on your couch and whining; get up and do something. It doesn't have to be saving the world; it can be really simple.....but do something and you will feel better, and less a victim.

I feel very strongly about the lack of trust, the lies, etc....But the only way out is to stop doing them, and stop supporting those who do them. Encourage young people; nurture new growth everywhere, and stop focusing on death and destruction...

OMG, he must be tired of the silly lamenting of lazy Americans; when half the world's 6 billion people go to bed hungry Every night!

I'm going to bed now....

reflect upon this....and do something, anything...

please...

Well said, patrick m. I used to hear a saying, "He helps those that helps themselves." I mostly heard it when my father wanted me to grow up a little.

Sorry so cranky last night guys, am just at my "gather's end?" "wits end?" Over so much talk, and very little do.... And so many stupid games.

I've got an idea what to do to help Gather, and us.

Sned suggestions to the Gather Admin folks to show all ratings/scores on all articles ...just like they do for these comments. Then, people can't say one thing and do another; backstab; or, do harm and get away with it.

Justa thought....

:-)