Failing Christian Duty in America
America began its History as a Nation of Christians with the government promoting Religion and God.
Today, most US governmental institutions ignore God or outright ban religious activity.
Why?
Because Christians FAILED in their duty to the Republic.
It was the duty of Christians to preserve the religious freedom and Christian heritage of America and Elect God-fearing leaders to the government. It still is.
Let's use schools as an example. At America's Founding Schools were used to teach morality and religion. (See Chapter 11 Religion and Schools)
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 passed by Congress regulated the territories that would become states. It stated:
"Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." (Article 3)
Benjamin Franklin proposed 5 Fundamental Points to be taught in schools:
1. There exists a Creator who made all things, and mankind should recognize and worship HIM.
2. The Creator has revealed a moral code of behavior for happy living which distinguishes right from wrong.
3. The Creator hold mankind responsible for the way they treat each other.
4. All mankind live beyond this life.
5. In the next life mankind are judged for their conduct in this one.
While serving as 3rd President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson chaired the school board for the District of Columbia. In that capacity, he wrote the first plan of education adopted by the city of Washington. His plan directs teachers to use the Bible and Isaac Watts' Hymnal as the primary books by which to teach reading. Chapter 13: Freedom of Religion)
The teaching of Christianity in schools was common at America's founding and understood as the proper meaning of the 1st Amendment.
Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story confirms the original intent of the First Amendment, and religion in US government in his Commentaries on the Constitution written in 1833. (Chapter 13: Freedom of Religion) :
The real object of the amendment was not to countenance much less to advance Mahometanism or Judaism or infidelity by prostrating Christianity but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects and to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment which should give to an hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the national government.
... it is the especial duty of government to foster and encourage [Christianity] among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point wholly distinct from that of the right of private judgment in matters of religion and of the freedom of public worship according to the dictates of one's conscience.
How was God removed from schools when the Constitution did not change?
Beginning in the 1940's, The Federal Courts began removing God from the public schools, based on the judges' personal preferences rather than constitutional text. (Chapter 14: Judges and Senators) Some examples:
Ruled that States could not offer voluntary or elective religious courses (1948).
Ruled that it was unconstitutional for the students to recite a long-standing prayer (1962).
Ruled that public school children can not read the Bible at school (1963).
Ruled that states can not require that creationism be taught in the public schools (1968).
Ruled that states can not post the Ten Commandments in their public school classrooms (1980).
Made it illegal for a pastor, priest or member of the clergy to offer an invocation or benediction at a public school graduation ceremony (1992).
Declared it unconstitutional for students to pray over the loud speaker system before a football game (2000).
How did this happen?
Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Presidents and senators are elected by the citizens who vote.
So Christians and their churches allowed or supported the placement of activist federal judges who re-wrote the meaning of the 1st Amendment, in a successful attempt to separate God from schools.
How many souls have been lost as American kids are educated by now-Godless schools?