The new American refugees
There is a wrinkle growing across our nation’s flag. Traditional Bible-believing Americans are increasingly becoming social refugees. Since the birth of our nation, devout disciples of Jesus provided a moral compass for an expanding nation.
These days, onward Christian soldiers lament that they are wandering in a cultural diaspora, convinced that legislators want them to repent and reform those Judeo-Christian principles that helped shape our nation’s history.
So, how is it that this once effectual majority has come to realize they are being cut away from the American fabric they once passionately helped to stitch together? I could list other considerations, but primarily, I believe a forceful new pulpit has been replacing the old ones.
In recent years Uncle Sam, sounding more like Rev. Sam, has raised an authoritative and definitive voice in the areas of morality, applied ethics and theology. From coast to coast Rev. Sam has been using public funds to underwrite the cost of his well-attended services conducted in our nation’s courtrooms.
Sam deliberates over well-known, well-defined and ardently defended theological truths and legally reintroduces them back to the public with new definitions and applications.
These ground-breaking messages come complete with titles, printed text and a legislated morality he feels all Americans should happily live with.
For generations Americans cherished the legacy of Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) and embraced Bible reading in public schools. Rev. Sam in his famous 1948 message entitled, McCollum v. Board of Education District 71, stated that religious instruction in public schools was a violation of law. Sam delivered a similar soliloquy in 1963 entitled, Abington School District v. Schempp.
Our nation’s leaders once publicly embraced the counsel of Solomon that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” but Sam determined his 1961 message, Torcaso v. Watkins, that, in Maryland, applicants for public office don’t even need to swear that they believe in the existence of God.
In 1962 Evangelist Sam, delivered the life-transforming legal discourse, Engel v. Vitale, as he skillfully charged that any kind of prayer, composed by public schools, was unconstitutional and would be a government-sponsored religion. Thanks to the Rev. Sam, school children are no longer burdened by classroom prayer but rather are nurtured, disciplined and blessed as they learn to trust in his firm embrace.
In 1973 Sam shook the continent with Roe v. Wade as he redefined the “viability” of an unborn baby and, in effect, determined that an unborn human being was not really made in the image of God.
Sam’s national influence was highlighted again in his 1980 address, Stone v. Graham, as he declared in this mandate, it is unconstitutional to post God’s 10 Commandments in public schools.
In 1987 he brilliantly dismantled the entire book of Genesis in his homily, Edwards v. Aquillard, in which he taught that a Louisiana law requiring creation science be taught along with the theory of evolution was unconstitutional.
And who will ever forget that, in 1989, Sam eloquently concluded in, Allegheny County v. ACLU, nativity scenes displayed inside a government building were a violation of law.
So take comfort, religious American refugees, as “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” congregate each weekend, pondering your wanderings through the societal wilderness of the 21st century, and remember, “all you who labor are heavy laden,” Uncle Sam Wants You.
Larry Douglas is a resident of Waynesburg.