Fall/Winter 2002




"WE must begin cherishing the freedom that we have. We must also defend that freedom, in any way that we can."



by Ashley Fauls

 Looking at the surface of America today, it’s hard to believe that our country’s heritage is one based upon Christian principles and the Word of God. But if we were to travel 300 years into the past, to the dawning days of our nation, we’d find ourselves in the company of our Founding Fathers; men like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and James Madison, who built our country on godly principles and a strong dependency on prayer. During the trying days of the Constitutional Convention, when 55 of America’s best and ablest men had assembled to revise the country’s Articles of Confederation, Benjamin Franklin issued a call for prayer. After 4 weeks of continual meetings and endless reasoning among the leaders, Franklin turned to the American people, specifically the clergy, asking them to "implore the assistance of Heaven" on their behalf. He told them:

"I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth–that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the sacred writings that, ‘except the Lord build the house, we labor in vain that built it.’ I firmly believe this: and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the building of Babel."

This is a look at the heart of just one of the men who helped found our great nation. It’s obvious in his words, and in the words and actions of many others, that we live in nation firmly rooted in the principles of God.

Yet as our nation began to stand upon it’s own two feet, the high standards and morals once held here slowly seemed to dissipate. Our growing nation began depending less and less upon God, and ever so much more upon their own ability or the ability of others, to make them great. America began compromising and forgetting it’s Christian heritage altogether. Never has this been more evident than in our current times.

This past June our nation watched in shock as the 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals declared that the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional due to the phrase "Under God" stated in it’s final lines. Michael Newdow, a proclaiming atheist, who was a large part of the court ruling, said "I believe I have done something good for America" claiming that the Pledge violates the separation of church and state.

With our country still resting in the shadow of the attack on America last September; the ruling seemed to cause quite a blow. US citizens were thrown into an uproar over the appeal; their pride for their country and its foundation, which has grown ever stronger since 9/11, was still blazing on.

During the days and weeks that followed the unveiling of the appeal, Internet bulletin boards and chat rooms were full to bursting with people’s comments, opinions, and outrage.

One angry citizen left this message posted on a website:

"The Pledge of Allegiance has been around just as long as the separation of church and state. You’d think that if someone was to complain they should have done it when the separation began and not waited until now! The pledge is just that, a pledge to our country. After 9/11 people should be exemplifying that and not nit picking about every little word."

Another citizen made this claim quoting the very Constitution that the 9th Circuit used against the Pledge in their ruling:

"We ALL have freedom of speech and religion in this country and we should all be allowed to enjoy it equally!"

Parents also shared a great deal in the concern; wanting their children to be able to pledge allegiance, not only to this country, but also to the God in which it trusts. One mother left this comment on an opinion board at a parenting website:

"First of all it says under GOD…not under a Christian God, not under Jesus, but God. That can encompass many religions. The God you believe in is your choice. But plain and simple, this country WAS founded under God. Our founding Fathers believed in God and formed this country under HIM!"

An article published in Front Page Magazine was entitled "Under G*D", referring to the fact that there are now people trying to subvert the name of God into a "four letter word". A word that’s not to be spoken, even here in America–a country where freedom of speech and religion are the standard. At a time in our history where it seemed like we should be ushering God back into our nation, there were those among us who were trying to force Him out.

The nation quickly found that the citizens were not the only ones appalled. The House of Representatives proved to be equally against the ruling when they denounced the appeal 416 votes to 3, along with the Senate, who, only hours after the initial announcement of the ruling, voted unanimously to have it denounced.















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"People will not defend what they do not cherish, and they will not cherish what they do not understand."

Even the most liberal reporters, publications (i.e. The New York Times), and senators stated that the ruling was "nuts" and "rigid." Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman made this declaration in response to the 9th Circuit’s ruling:

"I hope and trust it will be overturned. But if, may I say God forbid, it is not overturned, then we will join to amend the Constitution."

But, this was not the first provocative ruling made by the 9th Circuit Court. In the recent past the court upheld the right of California clubs to dole out marijuana to the sick, and has overturned a federal law allowing authorities to kick tenants out of federal housing projects because of drug use. It’s rulings like these, (both of which where reversed by the Supreme Court), that give the 9th Circuit it’s questionable reputation. It has had more reversals by the U.S. Supreme Court (12 out of 17 cases in this term alone), than any other circuit. Granted, that is partly due to the fact the it is the largest circuit court, but also because of it’s frequent liberal and activist rulings.

Despite the fact that the 9th Circuit’s appeal was reversed and that the Pledge is still being recited in schools with the words "Under God" present; there are many students who are unaware of the significance of the words they are speaking. The U.S. Department of Education’s National Civics Test results showed that 34% of 4th graders did not know what the Pledge of Allegiance actually meant. Aside from the patriotic meaning of our Pledge, there is a story behind it that many people may be unaware of.

Our Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy, (a Baptist minister), in 1892. The first organized use of the Pledge came on October 12th of that same year, when some 12 million school children recited it to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to the New World.

Although dearly loved and recited for years after the original publishing, the Congress didn’t adopt the Pledge until 1942. In 1954, Congress passed a resolution adding the words "Under God", (which were not in the original manuscript), to the Pledge of Allegiance. The ‘50’s were a decade where the fear of atheistic Communist threats haunted the mind of every American citizen and leader. Congress wanted to reaffirm the idea that we were a nation of people who gave allegiance solely to God. Dwight D. Eisenhower, our governing President at the time this revision was passed on the Pledge, gave the following explanation for this act:

"From this day forward, millions of 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 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 and war."

Much of what was quoted by Eisenhower about life in the early ‘50’s can be spoken as truth about today’s society as well. Our world has been torn apart by violence and brutality; the attack on our nation one year ago is a perfect example of that. There are people on our shores, and on the shores of nations far across the sea, that have been deadened by leaders who think of nothing more than "greatening" themselves; and a fear of war has bonded us all together–every color, race, creed, and religion.

Such comparisons would lead some to believe, especially in light of the events last September, that society today would also be holding proudly and strongly on our allegiance to God; instead we find ourselves in the midst of a shocking battle–fighting for the privilege to allow the words "Under God" to ring true in our Pledge in the coming years.

We’ve seen the past, we are familiar with the present, but what’s to be said about the future? The future economy, the future leaders, the future battles, the future decisions, the future generations?

"Faith and Freedom have gone hand in hand in America since the very dawn of this nation. Every generation has had its battles, and every generation has turned to faith in God and prayer to guide them through."
 America has excelled in ways that are coveted by hundreds of other nations worldwide. We have a freedom craved by many, and the ability to do what others can only ever dream of doing. We have grown from a small group of pilgrims searching for freedom, to one of this World’s largest nations. We have discovered wonders and have created many "man-made miracles". We have overcome battle after battle with our heads held high and our flag still flying proud. We have done all this, grown this much, and come this far, all as a nation united under God; standing tall on the firm foundation laid for us by our Founding Fathers so many years ago. A foundation laid upon God and His Word, His Commands, and His Grace. It’s hard to think of an America where these principles and truths are absent; but this quote seems to sum it up beautifully:

"People will not defend what they do not cherish, and they will not cherish what they do not understand."

There are some people who don’t understand how blessed we all are; how fortunate we are as a people to be on this free soil and how lucky we are to live in a nation built upon the mercy of God. But there are others who are aware, but who do not cherish this freedom. There are so many who take for granted seemingly simple things, like being able to say "Under God" in the Pledge at school, or being able to attend a school at all. We forget about the blessing; we forget to be thankful; we forget to understand. For all of the upcoming generations to be able to live and grow up in a nation that still clings to the motto "In God We Trust", WE must begin cherishing the freedom that we have. We must also defend that freedom, in any way that we can.

Faith and Freedom have gone hand in hand in America since the very dawn of this nation. Every generation has had its battles, and every generation has turned to faith in God and prayer to guide them through. If we will cherish our freedom, and gain a new understanding and respect for the God that this nation was built upon, we can be sure of the fact that the ones who come behind us will also be united as "One Nation Under God."


 
Ashley Fauls is 16 years old and lives in Detroit Michigan. She has written for several publications including "Rachel's Journal", which won an essay contest on RachelScott.com.

She loves reading, writing, watching movies, hanging with friends, shopping, drama, sign language, and photography. She has been home-schooled for the past 4 years and will be graduating from high school in June.

Ashley plans to complete a one year nursing program and several classes at a Bible college extension school in her area. She is currently volunteering as a secretary for a youth pastor and is working in a student program at a local retirement facility. She has a heart for people and her mission is to embrace those who are hurting or alone and reveal the love of Jesus to them.
   


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