One Nation Under God

Given all that is taking place in America, including yesterday’s approval vote of the Affordable Health Care for America Act H.R. 3962 (words that smear lipstick on a pig!) in the House of Representatives, it’s good to step back and reflect on the BIG picture. With that in mind, I want to share an interactive link to a magnificent piece of art that captures the tipping point in which we Americans now find ourselves.

Characterized as what may be the most important new painting of the 21st century, Artist Jon McNaughton’s One Nation Under God came as inspiration to him in the middle of the 2008 elections. The research for this amazing new work took McNaughton about six months to complete; the actual painting was a four month effort. According to the artist, he “had one shot at this and he had to get it right.”

Artist McNaughton describes his painting: “Christ is holding up the U.S. Constitution while behind him are the Founding Fathers and other patriotic heroes from the past two centuries speaking to us from the dust. (Note the symbolism of  dust at their feet.) They are asking us to remember the foundation of our country’s greatness and the liberties defined under the Constitution.”

Summarizing One Nation Under God as something “that would make people talk and think,” McNaughton emphasizes that he doesn’t want people to conclude from his painting that everyone in America has to be a Christian.  He wants his painting to express the origin of our nation’s strength.

Feast your eyes upon One Nation Under God here. Rich in symbolism, it includes over 60 images, including 40 patriotic heroes. McNaughton also depicts figures that lean toward socialism – which is contrary to his belief in the U.S. Constitution. As you run your cursor over each image, a description and reason why it was included in the painting is revealed on the right-hand side of your screen. Taking time to ponder this painting – even down to the scattered papers on the steps – will evoke feelings of deep appreciation for our beloved Republic, the United States Constitution, and the blessings of freedom. It also reminds that our independence and freedoms are eroding. It calls us to action.

Mitt Romney (Faith in America speech):

“…We can be deeply thankful that we live in a land where reason and religion are friends and allies in the cause of liberty, joined against the evils and dangers of the day. And you can be certain of this: Any believer in religious freedom, any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty, has a friend and ally in me. And so it is for hundreds of millions of our countrymen: We do not insist on a single strain of religion — rather, we welcome our nation’s symphony of faith.

Recall the early days of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, during the fall of 1774. With Boston occupied by British troops, there were rumors of imminent hostilities and fears of an impending war. In this time of peril, someone suggested that they pray. But there were objections. They were too divided in religious sentiments, what with Episcopalians and Quakers, Anabaptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Catholics.

Then Sam Adams rose, and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot. And so together they prayed, and together they fought, and together, by the grace of God, they founded this great nation.

In that spirit, let us give thanks to the divine author of liberty. And together, let us pray that this land may always be blessed with freedom’s holy light.

God bless this great land, the United States of America.

May we never tire in upholding life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness while defending our United States Constitution.