Maybe we could learn a few lessons from Great Britain after all

I remember as a child having this idea that Americans didn't bow to anyone. We believe in the equality of all men ("We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal ..."), which means no respecter of class: king or pauper all stand on even ground in America.
As a child, I remember thinking if I ever met a Queen or King, I would not bow. Americans don't do that.
Even now, working for a company that is very British, I haven't been able to help myself. There have been a couple of conversations with British counterparts where I couldn't help but mention 1776 (good naturedly, I hope; and I hope it was taken that way - although in one case I don't think the lady I was talking to realized the significance of 1776. I guess if I was British, it wouldn't mean anything to me, either).

That being said, three very interesting stories out of Great Britain recently:

1) Approaching the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, Education Secretary Michael Gove of England wants to give a King James Bible to every student in England, saying "It's a thing of beauty, and it's also an incredibly important historical artifact. It has helped shape and define the English language and is one of the keystones of our shared culture. And it is a work that has had international significance." Opponents want to give out copies of Darwin's Origin of Species instead. Interesting that both are books of faith, although the evolutionists try to claim Darwin is science.
Can you imagine the Secretary of Education in the United States deciding to send copies of the Bible to all public school children?

2) The government of Scotland seems determined to keeping marriage defined as between a man and woman on the basis that thousands of years of history have proven its healthiest for society. See one version of the story here.

3) The Queen of England in her Christmas address to the nation said, "Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: 'Fear not', they urged, 'we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
'For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.' ... God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love."
(Source: an atheist site that protested the Queen's message)

Even with all the bad we hear and read, there is always a remnant and cause for hope.