Hard-wired for God, short circuits and all

“They love me, they love me not” has historically been God’s petal-plucking mantra, while Americans – indeed all mankind – decide whether to issue a “come hither” or “not now.” Thus, it has ever been between God and man.

Eminent religious historian Martin Marty, of the University of Chicago, tells how a great religious revival accompanied the hard and frightening move through the American frontier.

We chiseled God’s name on one edifice after another, acknowledging His response to our need. The metal cap atop the Washington Monument says, “Praise be to God,” His name and aliases, “God,” “Providence,” “Lord” and “the Almighty,” adorn the Lincoln Memorial like so much graffiti scribbled by a schoolgirl on her locker.

Once the loose-knit colonial quilt grew into a burgeoning nation, godly zeal receded. M. Blaine Smith says our reverence ebbs in the good times. “When we have control, we have no need for God.”

Abraham Lincoln recognized spiritual neglect when America ruptured during the Civil War. In 1863 he wrote, “We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. … Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient … too proud to pray to the God who made us.”

The war’s carnage prompted another revival, according to Warren Gardner, history professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He says, “Times of duress scare people into church.”

Gardner notes the now-humorous stampede to church in 1938 during “The Mercury Theater of the Air.” Orson Welles’ radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds” convinced Americans Martians had invaded the planet and earthly hope was lost.

The celebratory joy of a World War II victory ushered in another religious lull until threats from the communist Red Menace and atomic weapons shoved us back toward God. In 1954, “Under God” was inserted in the Pledge of Allegiance, and “In God We Trust,” on currency since 1866, became the national motto in 1956.

When the Red Scare subsided, so did holy habits.

God was officially spurned in public schools in 1963, when the U.S. Supreme Court sided with atheist Madelyn Murray O’Hair and prayer was expelled.

By Sept. 11, God was being shoved even deeper into our cultural closet.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., dropped “so help you God” when administering the oath of office to George W. Bush’s judicial nominees. He backpedaled when reminded of its tradition dating back to George Washington’s inauguration.

ABC’s Diane Sawyer axed God during a nationally televised July 4, 2001, recitation of the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, endowed with certain unalienable Rights. …” What happened to “endowed by their Creator”?

Today, we’re back on our knees.

“God Bless America,” an album featuring Celine Dion’s rendition of the song, is a bestseller. At sporting events, teary-eyed fans sing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” at the top of their lungs.

Praise God, and play ball!

“We are hard-wired for God,” says Dick Millspaugh, president of the Association of Professional Chaplains. “It’s an innate part of who we are as human beings.”

Maybe so, but considering the ebb and flow of our religious affections, it could take what Professor Gardner calls “another big bang” to keep us plugged in.