Over the past several years I have become increasingly convinced that the spirit of oppression that left the former Soviet Union when that federation disintegrated has found itself a new home here in the United States. The kinds of regulations that Soviet kids used to live under are now the regulations in our schools; don't mention a god, do not teach even the theory of creation or a creator.
And just this week we see our own government acting like the former KGB. I am very certain that none of our founding fathers would approve of any domestic surveillance of the citizenry without first obtaining a warrant from a duly-authorized court of law. Those honorable men threw off oppression and tyranny to have liberty, and we like fools invite tyranny and oppression in the name of "peace and safety". The trouble with those who fail to learn from history is that they are destined to repeat it.
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
Amendment IV to the U.S. Constitution
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Article 52 [Religion]
(1) Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedom of conscience, that is, the right to profess or not to profess any religion, and to conduct religious worship or atheistic propaganda. Incitement of hostility or hatred on religious grounds is prohibited.
(2) In the USSR, the church is separated from the state, and the school from the church.
I believe something on the order of a Kristallnacht is coming to the United States. No nation can systematically remove all references to God - who most surely founded this nation by His providence - and expect things to merrily continue on as they have for over 200 years. I believe we will most certainly see troubles in this country that most cannot even imagine.
With that said, here's a story about how our government, the government of the United States of America, is placing pressure on military chaplains to stop using the name of Jesus in prayers.
R.J.