Do you know which televangelist said, “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible?”

OK, it was a trick question.

America’s first president, George Washington, said that, not a televangelist.

In Naples, Fla., a God-fearing, patriotic group has sprung up, with the hope of reinstating the truth that America was founded as a Christian nation, and needs to continue to be one to survive.

They call themselves, “One Nation Under God,” or ONUG.

Alarmed and dismayed at many of the changes he has seen taking place in the United States, ONUG Founder Bob Brown felt the steady proding from God to take action. It was simply an idea, however, until the day he heard a divine shout from God.

Sitting in his squad car, Brown, a Collier County Deputy, finished his paperwork while listening to a Christian radio station. The preacher on the station said that delayed obedience is the same as disobedience.

Suddenly, without Brown touching anything, the radio suddenly turned itself up full blast, and the words echoed in his ear: “Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

Brown knew that God was prompting him to take action now.

Everything started with T-shirts.

Brown’s wife, Siw, was surprised when she saw the T-shirts Bob had made. She expected a neat little emblem or a few words on a shirt. But the shirts were covered with very large print – that can be read by most from a distance – quoting the Bible, former patriots and presidents on the unity of God and country. They may not be stylish, but they are not to be ignored.

He then started inviting others to join in as he organized groups to get together and pray for the country in public places. As the T-shirts and group prayers got noticed, the group now called ONUG grew and now has branches in several states and countries.

At first, Brown appears to be a man of many words. Upon closer inspection, one realizes that almost all of what he has to say is directly quoted from either the Bible or the annals of American History. A gifted speaker who can recall Scripture and quotations at will and at length, expounded on the three-fold goals of ONUG, during a prayer meeting one Saturday afternoon at the Naples pier.

First, ONUG desires to promote a rediscovery of American history. Today, schools don’t always teach extensive American history the way they did in the past, and most curriculums do not include the Christian format that our nation was founded upon. ONUG hopes to encourage everyone to learn about our true American roots, which were created to give glory to God.

Second, ONUG would like to see a renewal of the vision and the covenant of our Founding Fathers.

Most of them were devout men who believed that the country needed to be founded on God’s laws.

“This is not my grandfather’s America”, Brown mourns. “We’ve fallen asleep for the last 40 years”.

ONUG then challenges members to commit to pray for the seven centers of power in our country seven days a week, and to gather together monthly to pray publically.

ONUG also encourages prayer and involvement on behalf of Christians who have faced legal challenges for their faith.

This fall, when charges were filed against Pace High School principal Frank Lay for offering up a blessing over the food at a dedication of a new building, ONUG members were there in their bold T-shirts. They also provided funds for Lay and others who had to defend their actions in court.

Brown believes, “Christians need to start making some public noise. You can’t be salt in the world if you’re bottled up in a shaker.”

Believing that our country was founded by Christian men and women and that America  was intended to be a place where religion and faith in God would flourish, many members of ONUG challenge the form of history schools are now teaching, which often removes the righteous principles and a God-fearing framework of goverment from the textbooks.

“I believe it’s the hand of God that’s holding our country up right now,” he commented.

Whatever their political bent may be, most Christians would agree that a return to biblical values and a genuine love for their country could only improve our present national personae.

Brown himself is a descendant of a long line of military men, and he enjoyed his time as a Marine serving as “a defender of the realm.”

He traveled extensively around the world, and his experience convinced him further of the God-given greatness of the United States.

In 1999, Brown helped birth an organization called Red Line Blue Line which uses military experience to train personnel in various organizatons to protect themselves and minimize loss of life in crisis situations.

During ONUG’s public prayer gatherings that take place the last Saturday of each month, participants repeat the Pledge of Allegience, providing a printed copy for those who don’t remember it, and sing the National Anthem. Then, taking turns and giving everyone a chance to participate, they pray for the seven centers of power: Government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

During the prayer gatherings, such as the one that took place at the Naples Pier in September, many passersby snicker, ignore what’s taking place or are completely unaware of the prayers being offered on their behalf. However, others stop and  join in or offer to help.

Many members fervantly believe that our nation can recapture its former greatness, and in the haunting words of II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

They are calling, not for a return of God to His proper place in our country, but a return of our country to its proper place under God.

For more information on ONUG or to order T-shirts, visit ONUG.us or call 239-353-1303.