The founders of our America recognized the reality of a God in heaven as they appealed to Him in our Declaration of Independence (from England) which was also our Declaration of Dependence (on God). Ponder the meaning of their words: "The laws of the Nature's God..."..."empowered by our Creator"..."appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world"..."with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence..."..."we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Note it is not just their "honor," but their "sacred honor." God's honor is obviously in their minds.
The first 60 years of my life in America were marked by the unifying patriotism and noble sacrifice of World War II. Every citizen's heart seemed gripped when we heard the great song "God Bless America." One of my uncles was shot down over Germany, captured, then murdered by the Gestapo. Another uncle had the dangerous job of an Army spotter pilot in Korea. I served 33 years active and reserve duty as a pilot and chaplain in the Air Force. Some of my most moving and gripping funerals were for servicemen who gave their lives in Vietnam. They would be appalled and grief stricken, as I am, at the divisiveness, confusion, conflict and chaos now evidenced in our beloved country.
Multitudes of Americans are turning their backs on our basic Judeo-Christian culture. Numbers of our citizens are strongly opposing and even attacking the heritage that makes us the most free and prosperous country in history -- even with our faults.
In a recent exchange in our House of Representatives, one member was appealing against rampant abortion and quoted a Scripture about the sanctity of all human life. In opposition, another Congressman, whom I consider a moral and political weakling, replied with the words: "What any religion's tradition ascribes as God's will is no concern of this Congress."
With these words and thoughts he revealed the spiritual bankruptcy and historical ignorance of many of our so-called "leaders." I was thankful he was not one of our American founders, else our country would have lasted perhaps 45 years instead of the 245 in which we have survived and thrived.
What are we to do when seemingly disastrous and destructive decisions are made by either the liberal left or the conservative right? The answer is simple. If Jesus is right, and He always is, the most damaging decision you can make -- against yourself, your family and friends, and other citizens -- is not to possess and express authentic and costly love. Why not think of the most extreme liberal or extreme conservative you tend to be disgusted with and make them your "beloved enemy?" That individual may admittedly be your rightful enemy politically, but each American citizen should be beloved spiritually. We must love. We must dialogue. We must act. We must reason. We must wait. We must hope.
Christians must remember what Jesus said they are to do: "Love your enemies." (Matthew 5:44) Many Americans are my "enemies politically," but I love them all "spiritually." May all of us think this way in this critical time of our conflicting and competing vision for America.
H.D. McCarty pastored one of Fayetteville's largest churches for 39 years, served as the volunteer chaplain of the Razorbacks for 30 and is a retired pilot and chaplain Air Force brigadier general. Email him at hdm@venturesforchrist.com.