There is hope for America to reverse a culture war, according to retired Lt. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin.

That hope, according to Boykin, involves reversing cultural and moral decay by restoring the identity of what he called an America founded in Christianity and patriotism.

Boykin imparted that message to an audience of about 300 people at Stillwater Christian School on Thursday.

“What happened to America is we lost our pride. We lost our identity because so many children have no idea what the true history of America is,” Boykin said. “What is the true history? The true history is of the Judeo-Christian foundation of America. How we were founded, what we were founded on, and how our legal system was actually formed is based on the scriptures.”

Boykin was the keynote speaker at the school’s fifth annual “For Such a Time as This” banquet fundraiser.

Boykin is executive vice president of the Family Research Council, a minister of the Kingdom Warriors and a veteran of 36 years in the Army.

His firm faith in Christianity and patriotism may be traced to his father’s devotions to God, country and family. Boykin started his speech talking about his father’s modest beginnings as a tobacco farmer and military service in the Navy, Army and Marines from World War II to Vietnam.

“Cecil only wanted an opportunity to succeed in America. He wanted nothing more and he wanted his children to grow up to be patriots and love God. My dad took an oath to a document we hold precious, we hold dear, it’s this document,” Boykin said, holding up a copy of the Constitution.

His message to the audience was of patriotism, faith and returning America to a state of grace.

“We lost our identity for a simple reason — and I don’t mean to offend any of you, I really don’t, but I’m going to tell you exactly what I believe — we lost our identity because the church in America went to sleep,” Boykin said. “The church in America lost its authority.”

He talked about compromises in the church and in America’s culture ranging from abortion, cohabitation and same-sex marriage to allowing homosexuals to be Boy Scout leaders.

“If you’re not involved in this fight, get in it right now,” Boykin urged the audience. “Find your local Boy Scout troop and let them know where you stand on this. If Boy Scouts go, what’s left — not the military — we’ve already compromised with the military.”

“We are in a culture war today more severe than you think,” Boykin said.

Other compromises Boykin cited were Muslim Sharia law allegedly pervading judgments in court cases across the country, a failing economy that is “moving rapidly to Marxism” and a nation making military spending cuts “when our enemies are growing.”

“We’ve become a nation of takers rather than givers. There’s an entitlement attitude where people believe the government owes them something. That was not how America was built. It was built on adventurers, risk-taking, entrepreneurialism,” Boykin said.

Boykin commented about his recent removal from speaking at a West Point National Day of Prayer Breakfast as part of a growing “hostility toward Christians.”

“I was told not to speak at West Point because I am a radical, evangelical Christian,” Boykin said, pointing out that a Muslim Brotherhood operative may train deploying soldiers on Islam “but because I am a Christian I could not speak at West Point. The assault on your religious liberty is beyond what you could imagine.”

Boykin also talked about border security.

“We have a huge problem on the border, not just the poor Mexican day worker that wants to come across and send money to his family, but we have terrorists from al-Qaida, Hamas and Hezbollah coming across our southern border and we find them all the time. You hear nothing about it in the mainstream media, but they’re coming across our border and we’re doing nothing about it,” Boykin said.

He related some of his solutions for turning the tide and returning America to its historical foundation: Become informed, encourage church pastors, be unified regardless of denomination, participate in government — such as joining a school board — and take a stand to uphold traditional Christian morals.

“We’re in a period of amusement. We sit mindlessly in front of the television set watching football, reality television, or ‘The View’ as our only source of information. We take in a sound bite and make no effort to think,” Boykin said. “We don’t spend time to try and understand what we’re up against.”

Boykin said he believed that a spiritual awakening is close and people need to be prepared.

“Pray for this nation. I don’t say, ‘God Bless America,’” Boykin said. “I say God forgive America for what we’ve done, for the way we’ve told you to get out of our schools, our government, our homes, even our churches.”

Audience member Connie Fisher was impressed with the boldness of Boykin’s speech.

“He’s my new hero. He spoke the truth,” Fisher said. “He’s willing to say what people need to hear. He tells you to stand up and believe in America with the Lord as your general.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.