July/August 2003

The United States of America has long been a marvel in the eyes of the world for its successful experiment in religious liberty. The First Amendment has often been copied but seldom implemented as successfully as in this new world. While Americans take pride in our history of preserving such freedoms, we should never take them for granted. A brief history of religious liberty is a reminder of the tortured story of this treasured heritage. In understanding the intent and content of the First Amendment two points of reference stand out.

Last July at a gathering organized by the Center for Christian Statesmanship, House majority whip Tom DeLay (now House majority leader) declared, “I know there are some people that are worried about the faith-based initiative that the president supports. And most of the distress is . . . that ‘we don’t want the federal government coming into our business.’ Well, my answer to that is Don’t accept the money. But I see it as a great opportunity to bring God back into the public institutions of the country. God has been removed from all of our public institutions.”

Three Angels Broadcasting Network is the realized dream of Danny Shelton and his wife, Linda. Today 3ABN, as it is known, is a 24-hour Christian television/satellite and radio network that began in 1984 when Danny was impressed to build a religious television station that would reach the world. From Thompsonville, Illinois, its ministry now reaches across North, Central, and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The United States Senate caucus room is the sort of marble-floored, wood-paneled location one associates with events of great moment. Indeed, it was from this room that John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the presidency; it was in this room that the Watergate and Iran-Contra hearings were conducted; and it was here that staffers gathered for emergency instructions after the anthrax attacks on Senator Tom Daschle’s office.

I guess I live in a protected environment. It’s called middle-class America. It’s a good place to live—I’m not complaining! But little from the outside world touches us here. We express our opinions, we work, we live our lives, and we watch the rest of the world on television while eating dinner. We hardly ever see firsthand the effects of war. Then last weekend the war in Iraq became a real-life tragedy for us, right here at home.