Christianity, in affect, addresses the sinful and fallen nature in all of us. We are all capable of being dishonest, self serving, etc. When you have a nation of people who do not address those issues, in themselves, their families, communities, and yes, in their nations, things don't go so well.
When individuals and families and communities address their sinful nature, it translates into greater freedoms, productivity, etc. And this transition is life long. Not only life long, but even over generations. Where one generation becomes more honest and noble than the previous. Forgiving the sins of their fathers yet being thankful for the positives their fathers did give them and passing the positves while correcting the sins of the father to future generations. Take that Christian element away, and slowly, the generations begin to deteriorate. Resenting the sins of the father but taking for granted the positve and passing on the resenting but not even passing on thankfulness for the positives of the father.
It is this core issue of addressing the personal sinful nature that translate outwardly towards family and community and ultimately makes or breaks a nation.
When the sinful nature is slowly reigned in, bridges are built between family members, communities, and ultimately across the country, then the country can slowly work in ever increasing unison becoming more and more like a well oiled machine. People not looking at their own self seeking interest but the interest of the whole. This isn't done overnight, of course. But over generations. And this transition occurs when a nation has a healthy understanding of Christianity and what it means.
I remember when I was young listening to Billy Graham preach how sin is the cause of all human suffering. I remember how I thought his sermon was getting repetitive and at times tiresome. As I grew older, I finally realized, he was right all along. It is this sinful nature in all of us that causes grief and setbacks.
Excellent points.