We Called It Civics
In the Land of Yore, not so long ago, we had schools for children that did not have SOLS, SATS, and college level classes for high school students. Emphasis was placed on 3-R’s, reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmatic., and Civics. Civics was about government, our government.
Much of Civics was learned long before the 8th Grade. All students were required to meet in the courtyard of the school, put their hand over their breast, stand at attention, no goofing off, no allowances for personal choice, no room for political dissent (we did not know what that meant) and salute the Flag of the United States of America, the Red and White stripes with the Blue Stars. We never heard of anyone so ignorant as to burn the Red, White, and Blue.
I will not say it was a sacred moment, but it was an austere moment. We did not comprehend the sum total, but we were a generation of children that many of our fathers, kinspeople, and neighbors had not long before returned from an awful war---World War II. We heard stories of almost 500,000 men and women dying for our freedom. We saw with our own eyes people without legs, blind, and otherwise battle scarred. We listened. We cared. We respected our freedom.
After saluting the flag we marched to our classrooms. No one protested, no one thought to protest, as the Bible was read
and prayer was offered to God, the God of Heaven, and the God who sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins.
We were not all saints. Even children could be mischievous, mischief that might end up in the principal’s office with the rear end extended for a few swats with a paddle. God forbid parents might hear of the event in the principal’s office, or the rear end might also be extended at home.
There were other things in those days that mattered. Children had purpose other than to play with videos and watch TV. Children had chores. Marriages did not revolve around the wish and will of children. Mother and father worked together raising children to be mature adults, not maintain spoiled children all their lives. There was an assumption that at some point in the not too distant future children would grow up, get a job, and become responsible citizens of society.
Now about that Civics class. To pass we had to learn about the history of the United States, our form of government, and the principles of a democratic government. Since many did not have TV with political experts and morning news talk shows to tell us how to vote, the idea was that people ought to fear God and elect politicians that fear God.
We were taught to respect those in authority, even if we disagreed with them. There was a culture of acceptance that the President is the leader. If we are united, we stand. If we are divided, we fall.
Those who disagreed with the President were required to speak civilly, i.e., respectfully. The President is not just a person. Civics taught us that President of the United States is an office. The office is to be respected. If the office is not respected, then whoever is elected holds a tainted title, i.e., weakened, vulnerable, an office of ridicule and low respect.
Pardon me for offending the politically tolerant, but allow me to state the Civics lesson in another way. God says that when a leader sins, a nation sins (1 Kings 14:16). When a nation falls each person tends to become “king in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Unity is lost; anarchy and terror become the order of the day. God also says that leaders have a greater responsibility to fear him and not sin (Luke 12:48).
Pogo, in the comics, said: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Oh, dear me, do we have to have Pogo tell us the truth?
Recently, a Senator displayed open anger to the President of the United States and insulted the President in a personal confrontation. That Senator would not only have failed 8th Grade Civics, he would have suffered shame in school and on the playground.
This I know. Unless we repent of our sins, learn the basics of Civics class, and get back to the Bible and prayer, we are a nation destined to make the Office of the President of the United States a torture chamber for those who hold the title. Worse, we will be fighting ourselves when the barbarians come.
Maybe we need to read Roman History. There were 500,000 slaves in the City of Rome when the city fell. The arenas were daily full of entertainment, free bread and drink was given to the poor, homosexuality was rampant, and the standard of living was high, when the barbarians took the mighty Roman Empire to its knees. Historians indicate that Rome was not defeated by barbarians, but Rome defeated itself.
What do I recommend? I recommend that every person, regardless of political persuasion, regardless of which country they came from, and regardless of religious background, REPENT OF SIN AND CONFESS JESUS CHRIST AS LORD! Yes, that includes Muslims and every other religion.
I also recommend 8th Grade Civics Class be required for all students, with standing and saluting the Red, White and Blue of the United States of America with respect. I also recommend that Bibles be generously placed in classrooms, that prayer be allowed (not forced), and that Christianity be given all the liberties that are being allowed witchcraft and idolatrous religions in our classrooms and schools.
I think a good dose of respect would help our nation.
Fearing God More than Man,
Pastor Bare