“Our Nation”

Proverbs 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

For the next several writings, I will focus on issues concerning our Nation; not political issues or parties, which I see more people relying on than what the Word of God says.

I am going to begin this part focusing on our 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. I usually put everything I write in my own words but I am taking this excerpt from the “Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum”, Abilene, KS. Please take time to read it through because this will introduce some of the issues that I will be focusing on. (Some are in Bold that I will come back to in later writings)

President Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the 1950s the United States was experiencing a postwar upsurge in religious activity and interest. Religious leaders, such as Norman Vincent Peale, Fulton J. Sheen, and Billy Graham, attracted large followings. Church membership rose from only 43% of the U.S. population in 1920 to a peak of 69% by 1960. It fell back to 63% by 1970. A 1954 survey showed that 9 out of 10 Americans believed in the divinity of Christ. During the Cold War years religion was seen by many as playing an important role in the struggle against Communism. When Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the political arena in 1952 he had never belonged to any organized church. One reason he gave for this was the fact that he was subject to constant relocation during his military career. However, he believed himself to be a “deeply religious” man. After his election as President he was baptized and joined the National Presbyterian Church. The Eisenhowers frequently attended this church during the eight years of his administration. After being sworn in as President on January 20, 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower began his first Inaugural Address with a prayer he had composed. During his administration, the phrase “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance and Congress adopted "In God We Trust" as our national motto. As president Eisenhower spoke many times about the importance of religious faith as an “essential foundation stone” for democracy, and he supported such programs as the American Legion’s “Back to God” campaign. He expressed the belief that man was a spiritual being and that God was “the author of individual rights.” Cabinet meetings were begun with a moment of silent prayer, and he had frequent meetings with religious leaders, such as Rev. Edward Elson, Francis Cardinal Spellman, and Billy Graham. Some historians have referred to Eisenhower’s use of religious ideas, concepts, and symbols as the promotion of a civil religion. The religious background of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s family was rooted in the Brethren in Christ Church (River Brethren), a Mennonite offshoot whose members had migrated to Kansas from Pennsylvania and Virginia. Bible reading and prayer were a frequent practice in Eisenhower’s boyhood home. Our files contain records, which show that Dwight and his brothers attended Sunday School at a local Brethren in Christ church. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY Abilene, Kansas 67410

Here are some personal religious quotes of President Eisenhower:

"In other words, our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith, and I don't care what it is."
Address at the Freedoms Foundation, Waldorf-Astoria, New York City, New York, 12/22/52

"The churches of America are citadels of our faith in individual freedom and human dignity. This faith is the living source of all our spiritual strength. And this strength is our matchless armor in our world-wide struggle against the forces of godless tyranny and oppression."
Message to the National Co-Chairmen, Commission of Religious Organizations, National Conference on Christians and Jews, 7/9/53

“From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty. To anyone who truly loves America, nothing could be more inspiring than to contemplate this rededication of our youth, on each school morning, to our country's true meaning.
Especially is this meaningful as we regard today's world. Over the globe, mankind has been cruelly torn by violence and brutality and, by the millions, deadened in mind and soul by a materialistic philosophy of life. Man everywhere is appalled by the prospect of atomic war. In this somber setting, this law and its effects today have profound meaning. In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource, in peace or in war."
Statement by the President Upon Signing Bill to Include the Words "Under God" in the Pledge to the Flag, 6/14/54

"Without God, there could be no American form of Government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first -- the most basic -- expression of Americanism. Thus the Founding Fathers saw it, and thus, with God's help, it will continue to be."
Remarks Recorded for the "Back-to-God" Program of the American Legion, 2/20/55

Basic to our democratic civilization are the principles and convictions that have bound us together as a nation. Among these are personal liberty, human rights, and the dignity of man. All these have their roots in a deeply held religious faith -- in a belief in God."
Address at U.S. Naval Academy Commencement, 6/4/58

"The freedom of a citizen and the freedom of a religious believer are more than intimately related; they are mutually dependent. These two liberties give life to the heart of our Nation."
Remarks at the Cornerstone-Laying Ceremony for the Interchurch Center, New York City, New York, 10/12/58

From just reading this short introduction, we can see how far our nation has come from those who were in Leadership that professed their belief in the only begotten Son of God (Jesus Christ), Prayer, Christian teachings, Godly Standards and Quotes, and Family the way that Almighty God intended. May we realize that it is necessary and Biblically correct (Not Politically Correct) to uphold the standard which the Bible has set and not conform to the ungodly teachings which the Worldly view is doing. God Bless until the next time. Bro. Shayne Monday