Foundation integrity is essential for the strength and stability of whatever is built upon it. A building might appear to be sound structurally, but if the foundation is faulty, the building will eventually begin to deteriorate. A house with a faulty foundation might begin to show signs of that fault which are almost imperceptible: a door that no longer closes tightly; windows that allow air to flow through; walls that begin to show hairline cracks; foundation walls that begin to show signs of shifting. Eventually, if left unchecked, these minor displays of a faulty foundation will worsen until major repairs are needed to reestablish structural integrity. This could result in huge expenses to the building owner. If, however, the owner decides to pay no attention to the warning signs of structural instability, the building might suffer irreparable harm, which would result in total destruction.

There is one definition of the word that I would like to focus on in this blog: “[foundation is] the basis or groundwork for anything: ex. the moral foundation of both society and religion.” It is interesting that this definition links two essential elements of human civility together that are oftentimes viewed as elements that have absolutely nothing to do with each other: society and religion. A casual, cursory stroll through history bears out the importance of this indissoluble union. Every nation has had its dominant religion. There are nations that are clearly linked to Buddhism, or Hinduism, or Islam, or Judaism, or Christianity, or one of many others. The very foundation of those nations is established on the principles of the dominant religion. Thus, there is an indissoluble link between society and religion.

The United States of America was established on the principles of the Christian faith. It would be so easy to provide a plethora of quotes from our founding fathers and signers of the Constitution that would prove beyond all doubt that this claim is true. However, we have all read those quotes so many times that I would like to go elsewhere to share a few quotes from a non-American, an outsider who took time to study America, trying to find the secret to its greatness.

Alexis de Tocqueville was a famous 19th century French statesman and philosopher. He traveled to America in the 1830s with the desire to find the secret for the incredible success of this nation. Allow me to share a few quotes which reveal what he discovered.

Upon my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things.

Religion in America…must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief.

I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion — for who can search the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. (All quotes are excerpts from de Tocqueville’s two volume work, “Democracy in America”)

Is it not clear that America has ceased to be good, which has resulted in the loss of her greatness? There are far too many directions we could go in discussing this matter, any of which would demand too much time and space for the purpose of this one blog. So, for the sake of brevity, let’s focus on one sign of the eroding foundation of a society built upon the clear teachings of Scripture.

Does the name Gary Hart ring a bell? It should. From the political landscape of the 1980s, Hart was a real up and comer. He had served as Senator from the state of Colorado, and in 1988 was the seeming choice of the Democratic party as their candidate for the presidency. His resume’ was impressive, and he had captured the hearts, and the votes, of most of the party. However, there was a crack in his armor. Rumors began to swirl that Hart had been unfaithful to his wife. Rumors turned to allegation – allegation to investigation – and investigation to incontrovertible evidence that the rumors were indeed true. Hart was humiliated, dropped his bid for the presidency, and became veritably unknown.

Now, let’s compare that to this present presidential campaign. I don’t want this to be a scathing denunciation of any candidates. Rather, I want this to be an expose’ of the American people. In 1988, a bright, shining star of the Democratic party was literally run out of town due to marital infidelity. Now, we have candidates who clearly are much more morally bankrupt than was Hart, but now, instead of being run out of town, they are applauded. The frontrunners of both parties are clearly subject to moral scrutiny. One has had multiple wives, and even stated in an interview that he would date his daughter, if she were not his daughter, because she is ‘hot’. The frontrunner of the other party has openly lied about email cover-ups, and her role in the Benghazi debacle, and is married to a former president who was known for his sexual exploits while in office.

Now please understand, I am not their judge. Only God has the right to stand in that role. I simply want to make an observation about the eroding of the foundation of America. Less than 30 years ago this country still showed a great sense of moral understanding, and stood for moral integrity. Now we have cast moral integrity to the wind. We are either clamoring to one because of promises of becoming even more focused on an entitlement society, or the other who is appealing to the mentality of “let’s throw all the bums out and start over again.” And we seem to show no concern for their moral integrity.

From the words of de Tocqueville, America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. Let’s look beyond the heated rhetoric and vicious verbal assaults. Let’s look for character, integrity, morality. Then perhaps America can be great again.