The Roar
The Difference
The year was 1962, the same year in which this writer graduated from high school. I must admit that as momentous as the Engel v. Vitale Supreme court decision would become, my interests were far from that fateful outcome which banned school prayer in the New York State school system. With next year marking its fiftieth anniversary, the results from that Constitutional blunder are now in plain sight.
Through these intervening years, society’s journey has consistently traveled down the road of rack and ruin. From the perspective of then verses now, the denouncing of religious attention and instruction within the confines of our educational system, seems to have been the single most detrimental legal ruling against our cohesive society and our Founder’s original intent.
During the intervening years, current speculation has thus floundered to the point which now even questions our Nation’s Christian foundations. In my previous “A Day For Prayer,” which detailed George Washington’s proclamation, setting aside a day for thanksgiving and prayer, the devious intent to this anti-Christian debate becomes clear. Adding to his 1789 proclamation is his Presidential Address which explains the importance to which our founding rested upon what our modern day Jurists outlawed. To quote the Father of our Country, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.
This discrepancy between our beginning beliefs verses today’s secular contentions lays bare the road which should have never been traveled. And it is to this one individual effect, from our apathy and disloyal slumber, which has inspired and continues to strengthen the thousands of Tea Party formations nationwide. Our slumber is now over.
All is not lost. Along side these Tea Party uprisings comes the home school phenomenon, which elevates the welfare of the child over the glitz of this materialism craze. A supportive companion to this inherent sacrifice brings the recognition that Christian values and beliefs will strengthen our life’s journey. Yesterday, one national figure, brought into focus what has been ignored within his professional football genre. The missing ingredient is that of being humble.
Professional sports, with football leading the charge, has also undergone sweeping changes which in retrospect bring questionable results. How many viewers and fans witness these personal on field tributes after almost every play? No matter the score, or if the team is winning or losing, these me, me, me exhibitions have diluted the game’s integrity and worth. Well, yesterday, a winning QB returned to the days when winning brought out the best in a person.
When Tim Tebow, won his fifth straight game, this one at the buzzer, his humble presence shone through his interview when stating, “I know that I had a lot of help. Offensive line did a great job, and receivers stepped up and made me look better than I really am.”
One might ask, what makes Tebow such a humble throwback to bygone days? Could it be his Christian upbringing and spiritual guidance throughout his life. This one instance brought back a clear recall of what was the order of the day before that 1962 Supreme Court ruling.
This recollection to a lost societal trait can be used to canvas today’s demographics. As our view centers on the younger generations, it becomes apparent that being humble is not on their agenda. People today try to draw attraction similar to those football players during a game. The only difference is instead of chest thumping and gyrating, we now revel in nose rings, tattoos and an assorted mix of colored hair.
As George Washington also said, “True religion affords to government its surest support.” The same can be said for its aiding human decency and self respect.
Jim Bowman, Author of
This Roar of Ours