“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness. …
“ … And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. … Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
(George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796)
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“I have set watchmen over the house to give warning from me.” Jer. 3:17
“I have spread out my hands to a rebellious people who walk after their own thoughts in ways that are not good … and I will not keep silent!” Is. 65:2-6.
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America: A Godly Nation?
With the party conventions over, political campaigns heating up, and the culture in a moral freefall, the great pillars of human happiness and the indispensable supports for political prosperity that George Washington referred to above are under serious challenge by those who are seeking to destroy them.
Over the past two months, we have featured a series of programs with David Barton from “Wallbuilders” about America’s Godly Heritage. They left us with a difficult question: “If America was at one time and perhaps still is considered to be a Christian nation, why are we in the throes of a cultural meltdown in which immorality has become the new norm?”
The Culture — Then and Now
The contrast between the culture of today and that of just 56 years ago is incredible. As a reminder:
1) 22% of all pregnancies end in abortion, and approximately 58 million unborn babies have been destroyed in their mothers’ wombs since the tragic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 to “legalize” abortions.
2) 40% of all babies are now born to single mothers. (That was only 5% in 1960.)
3) 33% of children are being raised in single-parent homes. (Only 9% in 1960.)
4) 50% of all marriages end in divorce. (Under 10% in 1960.)
5) Marriage itself has also been horribly redefined by a renegade Supreme Court to include same-sex “partners”. (Unthinkable in 1960!)
In addition, we permit rampant pornography to feed all of this, producing a trail of ruined men, exploited women, broken marriages, abused children, disease, crime, and often violent death.
The Challenge and the Call
So, as a follow-up to the question about why this is happening, the challenge we face today is “What can we do to help restore and rebuild America onto its Judeo-Christian foundations?”
To help answer that question, we are re-airing a program this weekend entitled “Watchmen on the Wall: For God & Country”. Our guest is Stephen McDowell, President of the Providence Foundation in Charlottesville and also President of the Foundation’s Biblical Worldview University. To learn more, go to www.providencefoundation.com.
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Valley Faith in Action airs five times each week on WAZT-TV, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, again at 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, and finally at Wednesday midnight. That is on Comcast Cable Channel 13 in the central Shenandoah Valley area and on WIAV-TV at 8:00 p.m. Friday in Washington DC. If you miss the telecast, you can also watch it and other VFIA programs online HERE anytime.
We deeply appreciate your prayers and your support, so if you would like to help with a tax-deductible gift, please send it to the Valley Family Forum at 3465 Izaak Walton Dr., Harrisonburg, 22801.
Thank you, for God and Country!
Dean