Christian nation: On Easter Sunday, Americans need to remember their roots

Today is Easter Sunday.

It is a time for families, love and laughter -- and of course, eggs, chocolate and bunny rabbits.

But beyond those fun expressions that make this holiday so unlike any other, there is a profound meaning, a message that goes much deeper than pretty dresses and Easter baskets.

For unlike every other holiday -- even Christmas -- this is the day in which faith plays a more powerful and central role -- and when Christians of all denominations remember that even after immense suffering and terrible sin -- there is forgiveness. It is a day when good rises again and all those of faith remember that God gave his only son to save mankind.

No matter who you are, if you are able to make it to a sunrise service on this day, you realize the immense gift that was -- and the sense of hope it brings. Faith surges in those who might not otherwise have thought that there was much reason to trust that the world -- in the end -- will be OK.

That is the special message that Easter brings.

This is not a day for politics. It is not a day to think about budgets, job cuts or anything else that centers on the material.

It is a time to focus on what really matters -- family, friendship and faith.

But even with that in mind, there is a reason to think today about this nation's roots and its faith.

Last week, President Barack Obama commented that the United States is not a Christian nation. He meant the statement in the sense that this country does not acknowledge only one religion -- that faiths of many kinds are represented here.

But in his statement, during Holy Week, he forgets to acknowledge just how deep and how much a part of American life faith -- Christian faith -- is.

This is a Christian nation, founded by Pilgrims trying to escape religious persecution and developed by men who included principles of their faith in the tenets for their new country.

And no matter how much political correctness is pushed by some or how often there are those who seek to remove the symbols of faith that have been a part of this nation's development and its history, this will remain a country that believes in something bigger than itself -- and is not afraid to call itself Christian.

So while most of us acknowledge that there are other faiths, we are proud to say we are a Christian nation, founded on those beliefs.

Today as we mark one of our holiest of days is the perfect time to remind ourselves just what rights and responsibilities go along with keeping and protecting that faith. It is a duty we should not forget.

Happy Easter.

Published in Editorials on April 11, 2009 11:24 PM