The Cleveland Catholic Forum recently had an event entitled “The God of Washington: Religion, Liberty & The Founder of Our Country.”   The keynote of the event was theologian, author of 26 books, and former U.S. Ambassador, Michael Novak.  He talked about his latest book, Washington’s God, Liberty, Religion & The Founder of our Country.

The Cleveland Catholic Forum hosted this event for two basic reasons:
First, we love God, and second, we love our country

Looking back, I remember when I was a young boy, my Mom and Dad would point to the American Flag and I would look up to it with awe as they told me that the flag symbolized the sacrifices of generations that created and built a nation. Today, that nation offers more freedom, hope and love for God and neighbor than any nation before in history.

I see in daily life, talking with family, friends, coworkers, and volunteer organizations, and in the heart and soul of America, that Love for God and neighbor is still the rock-solid foundation and deep felt belief of this blessed nation.

So much of our national identity and values come from God, our Creator, and it was instilled in our nation by the will of God through his instruments - our founding fathers.  John Adams, a patriot, founder of our nation, and U.S. President stated that “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

I ask if the American people want God to be the foundation of our society?  If the founding fathers – the very ones who wrote the Constitution that governs our land - want God to be the foundation of our society?  If having God in the public discourse is so important for so great a nation?  Then, why are we constantly being told by a powerful and vocal minority of elites that our nation has no room for God in public life?

Removing God from public discourse is wrong.  The excessive separation of church and state that we see today is not what the founders intended.  Not only do the American people want God to play a leading role in their nation, but the historical facts and opinions of our founders, the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution all push for and allow for faith to play a huge role in government, society and free thought.

So my friends, I encourage you to pray for the United States of America, and to bring God into your daily life.