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COLUMNS
Trying to rid ourselves of God? Not so smart, Mr. President
March 18, 2010 | The Catholic Sun
The economy just keeps getting worse and two huge earthquakes have wrought terrible devastation in Haiti and Chile, yet somehow President Obama thinks it’s important to meet with atheists. Representatives of the Secular Coalition for America visited the White House Feb. 26.
Wouldn’t you think the more prudent approach would have us all turning to God and imploring His help?
Then again, CNN did just report on a study that “proves” atheists and liberals are smarter than religious and conservative people, scoring an average of six points higher on IQ tests.
Somehow I don’t think this is going to help CNN’s ratings, which continue to slide. I could be wrong, but I’m guessing that insulting the 90 percent of Americans who believe in God is not a very bright idea.
Perhaps instead of wasting time with those intent on crushing Christianity, Obama and his advisors can reflect on what’s really ailing America. (Hint: it’s not Christianity.)
The social and moral chaos in which our society finds itself today is the result of turning away from God and the law He has written on our hearts. Atheists would have us further distance ourselves from Him, but that would be disastrous.
We need God, Mr. President. That’s the smart course of action, even if some self-congratulatory study by an evolutionary psychologist says people who believe in traditional morality and a creator God are less intelligent than you and your advisors.
Need for God
The Secular Coalition for America — the group whose representatives met with Obama last month — boasts an advisory board that includes such noteworthy Christian-bashers as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Michael Newdow.
Products of the corruption in higher education, they have lost sight of the most profound truth of human existence: God is. Check out the Web site AtheistsforHumanRights.org to get a taste of the smug attitudes that characterize the zealots who want to rid our nation of religion. It’s not just about them not believing God — they don’t want anyone else to, either.
The Web page features an image of their nemesis, John Paul II, overshadowing the White House, and includes these marching orders: “It’s time we got religious beliefs out of our laws and public policies!”
Sounds bogus to me.
Someone forgot to tell these people that the system of laws our country has developed over the years finds its roots in Christianity and the Catholic tradition of jurisprudence. Think about it: where do you suppose the word “penitentiary” came from? The idea that you send people away to do penance for their crimes is not exactly a secular notion.
Then there are our laws against murder (“Thou shall not kill”) stealing (“Thou shall not steal”) and perjury (“Thou shall not bear false witness.”) Sound familiar?
Our Founding Fathers clearly understood that democracy must follow a moral law. In the Declaration of Independence, they refer to the rights granted to us by “our Creator.”
Secularists can continue to file silly lawsuits and complain about religion, but the rest of us need to remember that without God, we can do nothing. Sadly, this simple truth seems to elude today’s intelligentsia.
We need the saving power of God in our lives and in our country now more than ever. As thousands of people are baptized and received into the Church at the upcoming Easter vigil Mass, we can take courage knowing that God’s family continues to grow in strength and numbers and stands in sharp contrast to the hollow cries of atheism.
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