As I survey our nation today, it is clear that the American people do not treasure liberty like they once did. The dismissive attitude of many toward the fate of a young Cuban boy is troubling evidence that our Founders' glorious patrimony is sifting silently through our fingers. Apparently, we are not troubled by the sight of young Elian Gonzalez paraded around in the Communist Youth uniform and the prospect, at press time, of his return to the country from which his mother gave her life to escape.

What has happened to the burning flame of liberty that inspired the Founders of this country and has motivated generations of immigrants to risk life and limb to come to these shores? I am afraid that the flame is burning very weakly, indeed. And it is flickering precisely because religious liberty is no longer treasured in our nation. The fact is, religious liberty is the foundation of all liberties, because liberty ultimately comes from God. America was the first nation in history to secure religious liberty. Others had granted religious "toleration," but true religious liberty found its first home here in America.

Sadly, in America today the tables have been turned and many will not even tolerate religion. Last spring in London, Kentucky, a federal judge wrote a 22-page order purging Kentucky schools of some so-called offensive documents, including the Ten Commandments, the Mayflower Compact, the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence, and Abraham Lincoln's statement that the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. What is so offensive about these documents? They dare to mention God. This judge and many others are quick to cast our religious liberty overboard to preserve some secular form of liberty. But history makes it clear that when religious liberty is lost, other liberties soon are undermined as well.

So we come to another Independence Day, and the glorious flame of liberty given to us by our Founding Fathers seems to be barely flickering. What can be done to fan the flame of freedom in this nation? First, we must pray that God will deliver us from our apathy and bring to pass a great revival. Second, we must—in our families and our communities—follow the footsteps of Patrick Henry. I have stood in the very spot where Henry spoke those great words which ignited the spark of the Revolution. I pray that his words will rekindle liberty's flame in your heart as well:

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.... There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!.... The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!