George Washington and God

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's theme.  I decided to see what our founding fathers had to say about God and this nation, and I chose to read George Washington's first inaugural address given on April 30, 1789.  It's quite enlightening, and surely George was completely off track because he indicated in his speech God had something to do with the founding of America and the successful defeat of the British Empire.  We know he was wrong because we have so many great minds today telling us how we can't have God involved in our country if He even exists at all.

Washington in his speech had the audacity to say the "Almighty Being who rules over the universe...whose providential aide can supply every human defect...His benediction may consecrate...the Great Author of every public and private good...Invisible Hand which conducts the affiars of men...providential agency...propitious smiles of Heaven...Heaven itself has ordained...benign Parent of the human race...and finally, His divine blessing.

What were the listeners thinking?  Was Washington out of his mind?  He thought God ruled the universe and had provided providential aid to enable the United States to be formed.  God had provided divine blessings and had the power to conduct the affairs of men.  Obviously, he was suffering from some battle impairment that clouded his logic.

What amazes me is we can overlook today what was so obvious to the early Americans.  God had granted America favor.  She had the opportunity to be the shining hope for the entire world.  And for a time she was hope and light.  What is she now? 

Washington knew America could only be the hope and the light for as long as she kept God in His rightful place.  Once God wasn't needed any more, we would cease to be the great nation Washington had such high expectations for in 1789.   He knew the secret to her success, and had the guts to acknowledge it.   "… since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.

Translated loosely: God isn't smiling on America anymore because America has disregarded what He has ordained as right.  

You can read Washington's address at  http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres13.html