One Nation Under Whose God?

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Freedom 250 Invites All Americans to Come Together in Prayer and Worship Ahead of the Nation’s 250th Birthday

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the National Mall will be the scene of a historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony, prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God. From morning fellowship in front of the U.S. Capitol to an evening filled with music anchored at the main stage on 12th Street, Rededicate 250 will be rooted in giving thanks for God’s presence in our national life throughout 250 years of American history and asking for his guidance for the next 250.

 I have been attempting to create some emotional distance from the daily insanity south of the border. The astonishing collapse of both democracy and decency in America is almost beyond comprehension. I've realized that I feel bleak and disillusioned by the blind support leaning into idolatry by right-wing Christians for a president whose words and actions are diametrically opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's clear that these "bible-believing Christians" do not read their bibles. 

So why was I surprised when I read about this upcoming event in the heart of Washington DC this weekend?  President Trump was enlisted to endorse this rally although it's hard to imagine he'll attend when his round of golf beckons at Mar a Lago. And wouldn't all those bibles burst into flames? I heard two earnest commentators discussing the gathering with one describing it as a celebration of a "resurrection" in the United States under Trump. This doesn't come close to passing the smell test for blasphemy.

When I watched the PBS series The American Revolution I was struck by several observations about the religious sensibilities those future Americans who led and those who participated in the conflict. George Washington was who saw the divine as more a principle of destiny than anything related to traditional Christian faith. 

Thomas Jefferson was a deist who admired the teaching of Jesus but never formally joined a church and felt that the bible contained both "diamonds" and "dung".  He also expressed his feeling that the way others chose to worship was none of his business as long as they held to certain principles. Of course, both of these men enslaved humans beings in contradiction to equality and  "liberty and justice for all."

The series also made a point of noting that there were some Jews and Muslims who fought valiantly for freedom from the British. We were also reminded that Indigenous peoples were valuable allies on both sides of the conflict and they weren't Christian.

It is a lie to insist that America is a specifically Christian nation and to promote this revisionist notion in the service of what is the wolf of White Nationalism in Christian clothing. 

As a person of prayer and respect for scripture I may get on my creaky knees before my Creator and Saviour, seeking a might deluge in Washington this Sunday.