Our country’s belief in God is evident

The recent incident in Ocean Springs involving the Freedom from Religion Foundation reminds us there are those who say religious expression has no place in the public square and that prayer has no place in our schools’ classrooms, functions or athletic events.

But from what I have read of the lives, deeds and sayings of our Founding Fathers, this position would be absolutely abhorrent to them.

Our belief in God, whether through faith, reason or both, is part of our national DNA. Our Declaration of Independence clearly acknowledges the existence of God and the fact that our unalienable rights come from God.

Amendment I of our Constitution declares, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Constitution does not mention a “separation of church and state.”

Our money has “In God We Trust” printed on it, and our Pledge of Allegiance states we are “one nation under God.” We sing “God Bless America” and other patriotic songs and hymns that acknowledge our dependence on God.

The plaques, inscriptions and documents at our national monuments, archives, memorials and government buildings in Washington, D.C., reflect our belief in God in many ways. And so many of our great presidents publicly acknowledged and prayed to God.

Without God, we cease to be the nation our Founding Fathers began. We simply have to reverse course before it’s too late. One key way to do that is to elect a president who will make solid appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This story was originally published August 20, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Our country’s belief in God is evident."