Some say the United States is an unequaled "shining city on a hill." Some say it used to be, but not today. It ties many religious folks in a knot. One moment, we're eternally blessed, even privileged; the next, "Look out!'

The homosexuals, the pro-choice advocates, the feminists, the humanists and the cussed liberals have dirtied the national soul. God (one supposes Jesus, too) will, and should, send his wrath upon us. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson saw divine judgment based on just such things in the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Rev. John Hagee pronounced his own verdict that in 2005 God sent Hurricane Katrina upon New Orleans -- a sort of sweeping, Old Testamentalish judgment on the lot of New Orleanians, good and bad, young and old, deserving and undeserving. Surely, any unborn embryos whom God normally loves were drowned along with their mothers.

Incidentally, the phrase "shining city on a hill" was one Ronald Reagan lifted from a John F. Kennedy speech. JFK may have been inspired by Jesus' Sermon on the Mount where Jesus speaks not of nationalist pride, but commands his followers to do good works. (Matthew 5:14-16)

The earliest political use of the phrase in this country I could find was in 1630. John Winthrop governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, delivered an impassioned motivational address, "City Upon a Hill." Winthrop, a proud Bible literalist, led English Puritans to our shores. He was Caucasian European -- a descendant of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, and thus among the favored. Separation of church and state? Un-American to even suggest it.

Winthrop also despised democracy and thought it was "a manifest breach of the Fifth Commandment." And although he himself admitted adultery with a native American, he ordered the hanging of Mary Latham and James Britton for just that. He considered that God had sent fatal diseases among the Indians in punishment for their beliefs. He despised Quakers.

Some things never change. Maybe the only thing really wrong with religion is that it has people in it.

Now Better Half will tell you that I don't know enough about anything to file in a shoebox. Moreover, I admit to advancing CRS syndrome. Whatever the case, I remain fearless about sharing my opinions (except in her hearing). Judging from its variations and permutations, I'm not entirely sure what Christianity is.

However, I would say on the whole God and Christianity are in less danger than frequently advertised. Since God is omnipotent (meaning there's nothing God can't do), it defies logic that God could be unwillingly booted out of the country. So relax.

But, seriously. "God" is too generic. If this is truly a Christian nation, and if Jesus would be gratified by slogans on money, then by all means melt down the coins, burn the currency. On the new issues, print or engrave "In Jesus We Trust" and where there's room, add the word "Christ."

Of course, the Jewish part of the hallowed Judaeo-Christian tradition might object. The orthodox would cry out for the words Yahweh, or Jehovah. Oh, wait. To honor Jewish admonition to never say the name, vowels should be omitted: So YHWH. Or JHVH. Then again, to honor the lost tribes, maybe we should use the Northern Israeli term for the supernatural being, El. We could then deport everybody else, or make them slaves.

To hear the O'Reillys of the country talk, you'd think a conspiracy was afoot to outlaw church attendance, add preachers to the list of others we torture, and require pledges of secular humanism (or at least agnosticism) for taking public office. Our U.S. Constitution (Article VI) says that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust," But, in fact, it seems a duty these days for political hopefuls to lay claim to a pure Christian heart, whatever the evidence might be. Separation of church and state? Constitutional, but un-American to even suggest it.

No, not to worry. Christianity will be OK. So merry Christmas.