Stephen Carter, On Breaking the 3rd Commandment

“In truth, there is probably no country in the Western world where people use God’s name quite as much, or quite as publicly, or for quite as many purposes, as we Americans do – the Third Commandment notwithstanding. Few candidates for office are able to end their speeches without asking God to bless their audience, or the nation, or the great work we are undertaking, but everybody is sure that the other side in insincere. … Athletes thank God, often on television, after scoring the winning touchdown, because, like politicians, they like to think God is on their side. Churches erect huge billboards and take out ads in the paper. … God’s will is cited as a reason to be against gay rights. And a reason to be for them. God is said to not tolerate poverty. Or abortion. Or nuclear weapons. … Everybody who wants to change America, and everybody who wants not to, understands the nation’s love affair with God’s name, which is why everybody invokes it.” (God’s Name in Vain, pgs. 12-13)