A GODLY NATION!

As the United States of America celebrate the 4th of July, I was looking for a fitting tribute to mark the occasion, when I came across an article which shows that there is great hope for this Nation, spoken through the mouths of young people in a survey by the American Bible Society...

Survey: Most Teens Want "Under God" Kept in Pledge.

The majority of teenagers -- 82.4% -- think the words "under God" belong in the Pledge of Allegiance, according to a study released by the American Bible Society.

Only 8.5% said they do not, and 9.1% were "not sure." Furthermore, the majority (63%) of teens polled say they think about the words "under God" while they are reciting the pledge; 37% say they do not.

More than 70% (71.8) think that students should be allowed to pray in school, while about 10% (10.4) were against praying in school and more than 17% (17.8) said they were "not sure."

A little more than two-thirds of those polled (66.6%) said they think about God "every day." Almost 16% (15.7) said they only think about God "during bad times" such as an illness or personal tragedy, 6.5% said only when they are in a house of worship, and 6.1% said only on religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Only 5.1% answered "never."

These results are from a survey conducted by the American Bible Society to provide a snapshot of teenagers' opinions about the separation of church and state.

A random sample of 1,000 males and females from across the country, ages 12-17, participated, evenly split by gender and age. The interviewing took place from June 15 through June 21, 2005, in the contiguous 48 states.The majority (81.9) of teens surveyed also think that the words, "In God We Trust," belong on U.S. currency, while only 6.4% of those polled said they do not; 11.7% were not sure.

When asked how they feel about the singing of God Bless America at sporting events such as basketball and baseball games, 82.9% think it's okay, while a mere 1.9% do not; 15.2% said it doesn't matter one way or the other.

This is the fifth ABS study. The initial study was released in November 2003 and detailed the religious activities of teens during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The second, in April 2004, looked at teen spirituality and their belief in the power of prayer. The third, in October 2004, questioned whether teens thought that belief in God belonged in the White House and pinpointed what teens said the President should pray for. The fourth survey, conducted in February 2005, explored how teens feel about the message of Easter, which teaches that Jesus rose from the dead and will return to Earth to judge good and evil.

The American Bible survey was completed online in partnership with Synovate/TeenNation.Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, the American Bible Society works to make Bibles available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford.

Yes! There definitely is a future Under God, for the United States of America!

At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; - Mat 11:25.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

GBYAY