Key Takeaways:
– Hanukkah and Christmas coincided for the first time in 15 years in 2024.
– The number of Americans attending religious services regularly dropped to 30% as of March 2024.
– In 2024, 41% of adults under 30 agreed with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
– The Democratic Party tried to turn democracy into a religion in 2024.
– Donald Trump won the popular vote in the 2024 elections, the first Republican to do so in 20 years.
The Power of Faith and Traditions
In 2024, Hanukkah – the Jewish holiday, lit its first candle at sundown on Christmas Day. This was the first overlap between these two significant festivals in 15 years. It served as a reminder of the importance of religious heritage. Having faith, irrespective of religious differences, becomes a backbone of a society and its governing bodies.
Historically renowned leaders have acclaimed the importance of a faith-based society. This included Presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower, George Washington, John Adams, and Ronald Reagan. However, today, our society seems to be sailing towards uncertainty.
The Decline of Religious Commitment
A Gallup survey in March 2024 pointed out an alarming decline in religious commitment. A meagre 30% of Americans were found to attend religious services regularly. Furthermore, the percentage of people not associating with any religion shot up to 21%, a steep rise from 13% in 2010.
The Fallout of Secularism
This lack of religious education is creating many severe societal problems. Shockingly, a poll by Emerson College found that 41% of adults under 30 felt the cold-blooded murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was acceptable. An increase in crime rates, drug abuse, depression correlate with the relaxing of religious teachings.
Religion’s Role in Rehabilitation
Institutions like Alcoholics Anonymous vouch for the positive impact of faith in recovery programs. People who show religious commitment tend to be happier, healthier, and more engaged with family and community.
Politics and the Church
On the political spectrum, the disregard for religious values is noticeable. The Democrats tried to democratize faith in 2024, trying to replace religion with democracy. Using the famous Independence Hall as a backdrop, President Biden accused his predecessor of being a threat to democracy. While visiting the Independence Hall, he failed to acknowledge its true significance—the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed, emphasizing our rights endowed by the Creator.
The Left’s Efforts Fail
Democrats viewed the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol as sacrilege rather than vandalism. However, their attempts to deify democracy did not seem to resonate well with the public. President-elect Donald Trump became the first Republican in 20 years to win a majority of the popular vote in the 2024 election.
Eisenhower’s Sobering Experience
The importance of faith triumphing ideology can be understood from Eisenhower’s experiences during World War II. Reviewing the atrocities of the Dachau concentration camp, he realized the horrors driven by the ideology of the master race.
The War of Ideologies
Modernity has seen horrific examples of ideology-driven state power – the Reign of Terror, communism, the Holocaust, and the soft tyranny of diversity, equality, and inclusion. This reinforces the need for maintaining our religious heritage, which plays a pivotal role in every national crisis.
Our religious values serve as a stronger anchor during turbulent times, more than tariffs or tax cuts. Hence, faith, a critical pillar of our heritage, should not be overlooked. Its importance in shaping the character of our nation and its people shall always remain profound.