As de Tocqueville correctly observed, America is great because it is good. When it ceases to be good, it ceases to be great.
Some object that America is not Christian. That is both true and false.
In evidence that we are not: Many do not even claim to be Christians. We are legally protected in our decision to be whatever religion we choose, and so have definite communities of many other religions, including Satanists and the Westboro atrocity and Santeria and so on. The state does not support the church, except in the narrow sense of tax exemption. Many of our “churches” are anti-Christian in their theology. Our popular culture often glorifies and honors sin.
In evidence that we are: Our founders, founding documents, and law are all largely Christian in nature. We have a very high percentage of Christians living here, many very faithful churches, and a culture that still maintains many Christian values. We have the largest missionary force sent out from here, and I believe the world record for individual charitable giving. Most American believe that God created the world. Some of the greatest preachers and theologians have been Americans, and their work continues to have great influence today.
I see us as a Christian nation going through a period of decline in a few key areas. But I have been privileged already to meet some great believers here and I continue to have hope for this nation. We only look terrible if you don’t compare us to other nations.
Look to the North: In Canada, I can be arrested for politely asserting the Bible’s position on homosexuality. Look to the South: In Mexico, the government is apparently running the drug cartels. Look at Europe, where hardly anyone even goes to church, and if they do, the “church” is usually a joke. Look at Africa and Asia; there are tremendous believers and churches there, but, the persecution is severe unto death. So you can hardly call any of them Christian nations.
We’re it.
I would agree with you, overall. However, God's intenions was never for one country to be Christian. He meant for all countries to be Christians.
America has a long history of Christianity without persecution, but not without problems. And Christians, of course, were at one time, persecuted in Europe which culminated in the establishment of America.
Christianity is like a group of fish swimming upstream in a fallen world.
Many countries in the world, that have various levels of successes or living the Christian life depends on the heritage of that country. For example, the non-Christians in America, may have been descendants of Christians families. And therefore, the animosity may not be as great as those in countries that don't have Christian heritage.
The Christian people who lives in the Rwanda have much to overcome in the area of forgiveness, etc. after experiencing mass genocide. But there are Christians there who are working against a much tougher tide when trying to affect change in their own country. Change against corruption, etc.
And lets not forget, that even Christianity can become an ineffective religion. One only has to look at issues of child abuse in the various Catholic churches that have occured recently (or more accurately, come to light).
In other words, we can't look at the present day situation and gurantee the future with it. God's intention was not for the US to stand as a beacon, but rather for all nations to stand as a beacon of light.
Christianity has taken a hold in China. And there is a big uphill battle going on there. China has been steeped in superstition and the Christians are up against that. But I believe the torch has started there. And the China of 2025, 2050, etc. will be a different China than today and especially yesterday.
God has truely blessed America. But his intention was not to stop just in America and say his work is finished. Its not finished.