America: Freedom, Faith and Loyalty

 

“There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.” (President Theodore Roosevelt, 1907)

The word ‘patriot’ is defined in the dictionary as “a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” Would you describe president Roosevelt’s speech as patriotic or harsh and selfish? In reality, president Roosevelt verbalized the sentiment of the majority of the American people in the early 20th century. I can only imagine the reaction to Teddy’s speech in today’s America where loyalty to certain values and principles has shifted from those espoused by the founding fathers to those invested in self-interests and individual rights. Over the last century, the original definition of an American has been assailed by individuals and groups who have dared to challenge the values that made America one nation under God. 

The first Americans, many of whom came to America so they could worship God freely, understood that being free didn’t mean the right to live in such a way that might harm another or be antagonistic to a guiding principle. Their mindset was guided by biblical standards such as the following verse: 

“I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. 

I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. (1 Corinthians 10:23) 

It was recognized that freedom meant a responsibility to do the right thing without infringing on the rights of others with that freedom. The corruption of America’s institutions, brought about by anti-biblical views and standards along with a quest for individual rights, has harmed many Americans. 

Our country’s beginnings were largely of a Judeo-Christian view of life. The truth is that those who possessed the fortitude to settle this country were mostly Christians of Godly character with a staunch free enterprise spirit. The values that coincided with these qualities provided the foundation of America’s freedom and prosperity. However, because of a slow secularization through misinterpretations of our nation’s history, the truth about early settlers has been obscured. And mostly at fault have been the attempts to “build upon the shifting sands of secular humanism or cultural Marxism.” (The American Covenant, p. 1)

There are many statements from Godly men and women of the past who sought to strengthen the faith of the early Americans. Speaking at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 22, 1820, Daniel Webster, known for being one of the greatest American statesmen in the 1840’s, stated:

“Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary.”

The Mayflower Compact, known as America’s “first great constitutional document”, begins as follows:

“In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith…”

What is the ‘Freedom’ that our Founders wanted for our country?  “True Freedom must be an ‘ordered freedom,” at the center of which is what we call ‘self-government.’” (If You Can Keep It, by Eric Metaxas)  The Founders understood that the more each person governed himself, the less there would be a need for strong government. People would not have freedom from government, but would have freedom from tyrannous government. Otherwise,“Freedom without religion would devolve into license or end in tyranny.” (P. 36, If You Can Keep It) 

It is of utmost importance to understand that all the laws of a nation are “the codification of a presupposed world view.” (The American Covenant, p. 32)  For example, the law of the United States presupposed the Bible as the foundation of its system, as confirmed by President John Quincy Adams in his 1837 oration: 

“Is it not that, in the chain of events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?” In 1952, Justice William O. Douglas affirmed that “we are a religious people, and our institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.”

The founders knew they had to consider mankind’s fallen state when creating a new government. They had to structure it so that this fallen and selfish human desire for power actually worked against itself. This point being why John Locke’s theories were integrated into our system. Being nicknamed “Father of Liberalism,” Locke’s theories have formed the structure and foundation of many important works, such as the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Locke went on to explain the principle of checks and balances to limit governmental power. Locke favored rule of law and a representative government. Locke also denounced tyranny and insisted that when the government violates individual rights, that people are legitimately able to rebel. 

In conclusion, based on numerous sources and history, I implore Americans to return to the principles and values upon which this great nation was founded in order to remain as a land of the free and home of patriots. We must rise up and start speaking and acting like patriots to protect our identity and our freedoms. And may God give us the strength and wisdom to do so. To His Glory because we are His Glory.