In the Christian scriptures, in the book of Romans, the apostle Paul addresses the natural downward spiral of mankind, away from the “Creator” (the same Creator mentioned in the Declaration of Independence), declaring: “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful….”
Now Paul asserts that this lack of “thankfulness” is a primary factor leading to God’s ultimate wrath upon nations and individuals. But for the small minority who do not believe in any creator God, this quote is obviously meaningless when trying to assess life’s big or little dramas. “God bless America” is an empty phrase for unbelievers, since, in the first place, they repudiate the concept of a “blessing” from a divine being; and, secondly, are disposed to seeing all events as only a series of continual random accidents: terms like “fortune” and “destiny” becoming empty poetic nonsense, describing chance occurrences over time at best, as in Jurassic Park’s “Chaos Theory.”
So I address Paul’s quote to the other 99% of the world, who do perceive a purposeful “deity” of some sort. For those who have experienced His loving-kindness (yes, I said “his”), have had prayers answered, who recognize that He is here — watching and involved — would we then as believers dare provoke Him with indifference: the One who has loved, protected, guided, and blessed us, the One who has shown us mercy after mercy? Would we court His mounting displeasure and eventual wrath with apathy? Fortunately for us, the Scriptures also say that He is “slow” to anger.
Please pardon my sermonizing; it’s a bad habit I’ve gotten into as a pastor. But I think it’s appropriate at this propitious time for each of us in the Tea Parties to stop and give thanks to God for the success of our movement. (And it’s far from over!) And yes, even if you are a libertarian, you can privately quietly thank God, and never let on to any of your fellow libertarians that you actually believe in some of the “social” issues too. (I wouldn’t recommend calling Him, the man upstairs, however!) And just so you’ll know that thanking God is actually a good American tradition, let me quote George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation:
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
George Washington, with the concurrence of Congress, asked the nation to pray to God with thanksgiving for our manifold blessings, to ensure His continued blessings. You’ll notice he also asked us to pray for the practice of “true religion” and the “increase of science,” ideas which today are said to be mutually exclusive.
For those who see the wisdom in Washington’s prayer requests, let’s spend some time on Thursday trying to catch God’s ear. It’s never too late to call out to Him; He’s always waiting to hear from you. Just a few committed to thanking Him can turn a nation around! So, may God bless our revolution. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
William Temple is a historical re-enactor, a pastor of a Bible church in Brunswick, Ga., and a well-known figure at Tea Party events across the country.