I've never watched Glenn Beck's show...until today. On today's show, he juxtaposed his peaceful followers with those violent, evil liberals. His idea that we need to "restore honor" is definitely honorable...if it made sense. Was there ever honor in politics? He has hooked his talons into the images of Samuel Adams ("Faith"), George Washington ("Hope"), and Benjamin Franklin ("Charity") to make money. What's interesting about his constant lament that this country has turned away from God is that this country was never founded under the God Beck wants us to turn back to. Two of our Founding Fathers - Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson - were Deists, not Theists. Has there been a history of religion playing a large role in this nation's governance? Yes. Does that mean we're a religious nation? No.

He discusses the First Great Awakening in America (he's talking about religious awakenings) and talks about George Whitefield who started it all. Beck also says that this First Great Awakening brought on the American Revolution. And I'm sure in a roundabout way, it probably did. When has religion not been at the center of a war? The Second Great Awakening happened in the early 19th century. It helped stop slavery. This is amazingly awesome, but I would like to mention that George Whitefield of the First Great Awakening supported slavery...isn't interesting how religious beliefs sway with the times. Now, Beck is starting the 3rd Great Awakening. This man has put himself on a pedestal. 

Here's what the Founding Fathers had to say about religious matters...

He [the Rev Mr. Whitefield] used, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard.
-- Benjamin Franklin, from Franklin's Autobiography

Say nothing of my religion. It is known to my god and myself alone.
-- Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams

I am for freedom of religion, & against all maneuvres to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another.-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Elbridge Gerry

I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance, or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Dowse

In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced, and both by precept and example inculcated on mankind ...-- Samuel Adams

Every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.
-- George Washington