I kind of like the word moorings.

I could have chosen other words like direction, faith, beliefs, even traditions, just to name a few.

But I believe the word moorings is most appropriate of all to make the point that I hope to get across in this column today.

I grew up like many of you did.

Going to church each Sunday, having a prayer before every meal, opening every sporting event with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner, going to un-rated movies but knowing they were fine for the whole family to see, and I could go on and on.

Most significantly I studied in my high school history class where our forefathers had founded this nation out of a desire for religious freedom.

During the debates at the Constitutional Convention, Dr. Benjamin Franklin stated, &uot;we have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.&uot;

Franklin continually challenged the delegates to the Convention, saying, &uot;And have we forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs the affairs of men.

And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?&uot;

At the end of the long struggle for freedom, our most famous Founding Father, George Washington, said &uot;It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor.&uot;

These are the &uot;moorings&uot; that I speak of.

Our nation has been blessed beyond measure by Almighty God, yet in recent years a war seems to be raging in America to separate God from government, to eradicate God from every public place, to eliminate God from every public official’s decisions, and to take Him out of our schools, courtrooms and chambers of government.

News commentators routinely speak of the &uot;waning role of religion&uot; in governmental decisions which affect all Americans.

This would include the United States Congress, which makes our laws, as well as the judicial system which interprets those laws.

Our United States Supreme Court just a few days ago struck down as unconstitutional a Texas law that banned sex between homosexuals, a decision that was an unprecedented show of support for gay men and lesbians.

The ruling no doubt will help gay men and lesbians in legal disputes that arise from moral disapproval, whether on the job, in child custody cases or over inheritance claims.

Our Founding Fathers would be appalled at such decisions.

In George Washington’s famous Farewell Address, he said, &uot;Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is impossible to govern rightly without God and the Bible.&uot;

Most of us remember that it was Patrick Henry who said, &uot;Give me liberty or give me death!&uot;, but we are less familiar with something else he said.

Henry stated, &uot;It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!&uot;

I am concerned – very concerned – about the direction our nation is taking.

In my opinion, we need to do everything we can to ensure that our nation once again values and embraces Christian principles.

May we soon return to our &uot;moorings&uot;.

Until next time, remember &uot;I’ll go with you or I’ll go for you&uot; to help you solve any problem related to state government.

Senator Wendell Mitchell can be reached at 334-242-7883, or by writing to P O Box 225, Luverne, Alabama 36049.