Letter to the editor: Include God in national anthem

Commentary

OPINION:

While listening recently to the national anthems before a hockey game between an American team and a Canadian team, I was struck by the fact that the Canadian anthem acknowledges God whereas the American does not. This does not seem right.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” does include “In God is our trust” in its fourth stanza, but this is hardly ever sung. God has been good to our nation and this should be reflected in our anthem.

Circumstances make now a good time to replace the current anthem with “God Bless America,” which in 1940 was the campaign song for both President Franklin D, Roosevelt and his Republican opponent, Wendell Willkie. This patriotic song was written by Irving Berlin circa 1918 but not released until 1939. Kate Smith was famous for singing it to start Philadelphia Flyers home hockey games.

Although “America the Beautiful” might also be a good replacement, it is a bit too long for our fast-food culture, whereas “God Bless America” is just long enough. Also, it is easier to sing than the current anthem.

Many on the American political left, such as Black Lives Matter, want to get rid of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for a host of other reasons. These are some of the same people that toppled the statue of the author of this song, Francis Scott Key, on June 19, 2020, in San Francisco. They would like to replace it with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This song does acknowledge God, but like the current anthem, it does so at the end.

Others on the left would like “Imagine” by John Lennon. This would not be a good choice for Christians because it starts out “Imagine there’s no heaven” and goes on to add “no religion too.” This seems to be an opportunity to satisfy both those who hate “The Star-Spangled Banner” and those who would like to see God acknowledged by replacing it with “God Bless America.”

The current anthem became official on March 4, 1931, approved by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Herbert Hoover. As Congress has much to do in the weeks ahead, perhaps the best way to start the transition would be to encourage occasional substitution of “God Bless America” in place of the current song at sporting events. Friendly persuasion by churches and other Christian organizations would make a difference.