Secularization of America

I am reading a really good book called Standing for Something, by Gordon B. Hinkley

It is really amazing

In the introduction he talks a lot about America. He brings up the sad truth that Americans are abandoning God. He calls it the "Secularization of America".

He has a good point.

When I was growing up, there was debate about the pledge of alliegence being said in the classroom. Many people were offended by it because of the phrase "under God". People who did not believe in God did not want their children saying his name in the classroom. At the time I was an innocent little girl who didn't like conflict. I would avoid the argument and just keep my belief in God to my reverent self. I wish I had stood up for what I believed in, but I was just to shy to even think about saying something.

Now I recognize how absurd this argument is. It is too late for me to go back. Things have already changed. I don't remember saying the pledge of allegiance when I was in High School. When we did I remember everyone felt weird about it because it had been so long since the last time. Oh how the tables have turned. Speaking of religion in schools feels socially unacceptable. Others look at you wrong and uncomfortably. Where as it is seemingly impossible to have a conversation with out homosexuality, or transgender becoming part of the discussion. And if you don't like it you are called homophobic or a bigot, or both.

Why is it that those who don't believe same-sex marriage to be correct must tolerate it in the classroom, but that who do not believe in God can not not tolerate him in discussion? Why can't we all be tolerant? Why must this divide us?

I believe in God. I believe in Christ. He is my king. God's presense is all around us. He deeply loves and cares for us. It is sad that so many openly reject him.

I am currently living in Brazil. I have also had a chance to travel a bit more than the past. As I have been meeting so many people from so many different parts of the world. I realized something.

People outside of the United States are so much more open to talking about God.

When I was growing up, I felt SO embarassed to talk about religion. I felt no one would understand me. I thought everyone would make fun of me. I quietly skirted along, doing what was right not aruguing with anybody about it.

In Brazil, and other parts of the world, people part wishing "God bless". People talk about how God had blessed them that week. People share their testimonies on the bus, in the street, with old friends and new. People of all kinds of religions all agree that God is real. They can all smile about that. There are a few athiests. They are respected. They don't yell at you if you say "God bless" because they know it is from your heart and you wish them the best. they probably don't like it and if they are your friend they might ask you not to say it to them, but they don't fight you.

When did God become an enemy? When was it decided that the mere mention of his name in the pledge of alegience could be considered offensive?

Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain has often said "You use the name of Diety in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution of the United States, and yet you cannot use it in the schoolroom." (p.xx)

Gordon B Hinckley talks about how this country was built by men who believed in God. The Declaration of Independence concludes "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."(p.xvi) These were dedicated men of God who gave so much for our freedom. I hope we do not abuse it.

President Gordon B. Hinckley talks about many postive things about this country. He is pleased to say that is it spiritual. He says "I especially love America for its great spiritual strength. It is a land of churches and synagogues, of temples and tabernacles, of pulpits and altars. We have on our coinage and our corrency a national motto. It simply says, "In God We Trust." I believe that this is the foundation on which this nation was established: an unequivocal trust in the power of the almighty to guide and defend us." (p.xv)

Once when I was on the bus, I sat next to a muslim. He saw that I was reading the Book of Mormon. I sensed him staring at it so I decided to start a conversation. We talked a lot! He asked questions about Christianity and I asked questions about Islam. We found many diferences in our beliefs as well as many similarities. He was really excited to talk about religion. He said he had always been curious about Christianity because they don't have it in the country he is from. It seems he had been studying at the local university and had not had a chance to discuss it with anyone. ( That University is known to have a lot of athiests and people with new ideas turning away from God's teachings It was probably a really wierd environment for him coming from such a religious country) Our discussion wasn't a debate. I didn't leave the discussion wanting to be muslim. He didn't leave the dissussion itching to bet baptized, but it felt really nice. Even though we had different opinions, we could both agree that God exists. We both had a stong attachment to this testimony. And we both wanted so much to do his will. For that moment, we had something in common that most of the other youth around us didn't have. And that commonality of love for God was a trait that was so important to each of us. I felt like we were siblings, children of God.

President Hinkley warns, "America is still strong, but destructive forces have been and are at work. There is serious unsteadiness in our country's stance in terms of morality, ethics, principles, and behavior. We as a people and a nation have increasinly neglected and abandoned time-honored virtues that have been proven through the centeries to keep human beings individually, and therefore collectively strong." (p.xix)

The book will talk about lost virtues that we must guard and protect. I am so excited to continue reading. President Hinkley was a happy and beloved man. He was a very good man. He was a great example of strength and love. The two should coexist. He showed example in word and action.

I love God. I love this church. I am so grateful for the great examples I have had in my life, especially my parents. I grew up surrounded by great people.

with love,
Erin