MY TURN: America seems to have lost its way

You and I are affected by propaganda, no matter how self-aware we believe we are. 

The question is to what degree. But how few realize the degree and duration of propaganda being shoved down our throats by the misguided? What’s my point? 

Hang with me a second.

In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled against Bible readings in public schools. From that point forward, the left has bastardized the meaning of “… separation of church and state …” We now have generational progress by the propagandists who wish to eliminate God in society. 

Self-awareness requires, in part, knowing one's place in history, which is why the public education system works as it does. Which is why there are so many decent people going through life rudderless, while ironically, many of these same folks are dead certain they are above being erroneously influenced. 

And we find ourselves in this position because most of our fellow citizens have lost the moral courage to defend themselves, their family and their country.

Fast forward to Jan. 21 in Post Falls, where the new mayor, Randy Westlund, made these statements in support of his desire to invoke an invocation at the beginning of public City meetings: 

• “I would like to add a simple non-sectarian invocation to our meetings to solemnize the occasion, call our minds to the gravity of our duties and recognize that we operate under a higher power.” 

• The invocation would be delivered at the start of each regular council meeting to “reflect a tone of general goodwill and inclusivity.” Attendance and participation would be voluntary for this portion of the proceedings, and the invocation "would not be intended to advocate or proselytize for any specific religion or belief system.” 

• The proposal also offered a caveat that “no council action is influenced by participation or non-participation.” 

We’ve reached the point where even such a request has to be tabled for further consideration, as it was during the same meeting, thanks to the judgment of two City Council members. In the proper context, in the true American context, such a benign request would be overwhelmingly and instantly approved. Thoughts of those present being unfairly subjected to such activity insult the very same for not having a mind of their own. 

Or maybe I have it all wrong. Maybe we’re all so much more enlightened than the founders of our country. Here are three of them commenting on the subject. And they all expressed similar sentiments on multiple occasions. 

• Thomas Jefferson, author of America’s Declaration of Independence and our third president: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

• George Washington, America’s first president: “While we are zealously performing the duties of a good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought to not be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

• Benjamin Franklin, A signer of both America’s Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probably that an empire can rise without his aid?”

I am again humbly asking God to give me the courage to bravely, lovingly and respectfully confront evil when I see it. Will you join me?

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Jeff Odland is a resident of Athol.