Joseph Stalin is quoted to have made the following statement: “America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.” Let’s consider each of these three areas in light of our present day.

Patriotism is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary Online as “the feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it.” There was a time in which patriotism ran high. The vast majority of Americans seemed to be extremely proud to be a citizen of this great country. We were proud to stand and pledge allegiance to the flag that represents us. We showed  our pride in so many ways. And thankfully, there are still those of us who are proud to be American. But the scene is growing far too commonplace where we see individuals abusing the flag. Some put it on the ground and walk on it. Others spit on it. Still others curse it, and yes, there are even those who burn it. In the estimation of this writer, patriotism is at an all time low. One part of Stalin’s formula to see America collapse from within.

Morality was Stalin’s second area of American health. Again, turning to the Cambridge Dictionary, we find that morality is “a personal or social set of standards for good and bad behavior or character, or the quality of being right or honest.” Our nation was founded on the principles gleaned from the Bible. Therefore, our understanding of right and wrong, good and bad, were taken from that timeless Book. It is obvious that many of the standards of morality based on Scripture have been discarded, and replaced with beliefs based on human intellect. Just a few examples will suffice to show this beyond debate, at least for those who believe the Bible to be our standard. Abortion, perversions of human sexuality (homosexuality, pre-marital sexual activity, sexual relations outside of marriage, living together outside marriage, etc.), alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, and so many others are all examples of the break from Biblical morality. We are living in a day and time in which we seem to have embraced the mentality that there is no such thing as a moral absolute. Everyone is free to decide what is right for themselves. The second part of Stalin’s formula to see America collapse.

And finally, he noted the spiritual life of America. Again, let’s be reminded that this nation was founded as a Christian nation. No one was forced to embrace Christianity, as everyone has the right to choose for himself/herself what religion, if any, they decide to embrace. However, it was clearly understood by the founding fathers that this nation would only continue to succeed as long as these foundational Biblical principles remained intact. Those who chose to embrace a different religion were treated as equals, but were expected to abide by the governing principles which gave guidance and direction to this nation.  Now, it is obvious that Christianity is being systematically removed from American life. Yes, those of us who continue to choose to embrace Christianity as our personal faith are still allowed to worship God freely and publicly. However, it only takes a cursory glimpse at the direction our country has moved over the past few decades to show that we are anything but one nation under God.

America is on a course of self destruction. The very things that have made America great are now being undermined and dismantled. Is it any wonder that our nation at present is more divided than at any other time in our history, with the exception of the civil war period. May God help us make the hard choices which would correct our path, and set us once again on a course toward greatness. This will only happen if and when we return to our patriotism, our morality, and our spiritual life based on the Word of God.