The Significance of Christian Faith in American Democracy (Part III)

Some will disagree with the fact that democracy must be established on Biblical principles in order to survive as a healthy system of government. They would argue that if Christianity is the basis of American democracy, then people are forced to follow Christian morality. They would contend that you cannot legislate morality. That is a true statement. However, man in his nature is a moral being and has to continually decide between good and evil. Many times people are not against a moral decision per se but rather they are against a morality that is based on faith. They deem religious morality as  irrelevant and outdated; they would rather have a morality that is based on people’s personal ideas or preferences than  one’s faith regardless of what that morality stands for. 

Every one of us has a value system that is based on our view of the world, hence, we all have a set of morals. The challenge is that if our morality is based on our humanistic thinking or preferences, it is continually subject to change because we live in an ever changing world with many new and old challenges. If we our morality is not based on Christianity, it will get downgraded to become a situational morality based on the convenience and the desires of the moment. That is a shaky ground for individuals and for all of us as a nation.

Christian morality is based on a set of beliefs that are not always easy to follow even for those who are willing. This morality is based on how God expects His children to behave in a hostile world. Jesus spoke to believers about injustices and persecutions, and He encouraged them to keep loving in the midst of the battle because he has overcome all evil in the world. If we don’t hold on to this morality, when the pressure comes, we will return to our old nature which is self-preservation. It will become an “eye for an eye” situation and will perpetuate hatred in the atmosphere.

Democracy still gives room for individual’s voice to be heard but Christian morality allows a restraining factor to be present where not every vain imagination gains equal value to the tried and true ways that have been tested over the centuries and have kept people and cultures healthy according to God’s word.

While Christianity has given room for everyone to have a voice in this amazing governmental system, unfortunately, it now gets the brunt of resistance from some people. If we forget where have come from, we will despise the very foundation that this nation was built upon. A faulty foundation will work towards its demise as a free and democratic nation for all. Let’s be thankful to God for this beautiful nation which is still one of the best governments to live under but work towards making it better for all.