11:50 a.m.
Thursday, March 5, 2026 11:44 am
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To the editor:
The shellacking the New England Patriots received at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks is analogous to the decisive blows God-fearing patriots have suffered for decades.
At the 1971 Super Bowl, Anita Bryant sang "God Bless America" during the halftime show. In 2026, the NFL woke pick of Bad Bunny is considered representative of modern America.
God's word says "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." The enemies of God tried to destroy His truth in the life of Anita Bryant. In 1959, Bryant was runner-up in the Miss America pageant and went on to become a popular singer. Voters of Good Housekeeping magazine named her the most admired woman in America. The Gallup Poll, at one time, ranked her among the top ten woman in the world.
Believing in God, family and apple pie made her a role model for womanhood throughout the 1960s. She stood above the chaotic revolution ignited by communist theoreticians exploiting good causes. Her accomplishments include being the Florida Orange Juice girl and soon to be host of a Home Economics TV program for Singer Sewing Machine. Bryant, at the pinnacle of success and popularity, took the time to partner with the USO and Bob Hope to bless our troops.
Bryant was a Godly woman. At great cost, Bryant was a fearless, relentless crusader for righteousness and virtue. Bryant foresaw the effect of the of the homosexual revolution on the minds of our youth. She declared, "I made a stand not against homosexuals, as persons, but against legislation that would tend to normalize and abet their lifestyle, and would especially afford them influence over our children who attended private religious school.
Leading the 'Save our Children' petition drive to repeal a Dade County Florida ordinance, voters followed repealing the law 69 to 31%."
Because her bold opposition turned the tide against gay rights around the country, she soon became a target. Dark money behind the revolution boycotted products for which she was a spokesmen.
Bumper stickers and T-shirts assailed her. Hundreds of thousands protesting in marches and demonstrations came out of the woodwork. She was black listed and made the butt of jokes by cowardly comedians. Hate mail filled with human dung, voodoo dolls, and bomb scares attacked her and her family. Bookings and contracts ended at all levels threatening to bankrupt her.
Born in 1940, passing to be with her Maker in 2024, she was a warrior for Christ in the public arena. She was a winner despite all the Americans who stood on the sidelines and turned against her. Anita Bryant Ministries admirably slowed down the war on decency in the 1970s. Representing the love of Christ, her ministry's mission focused on transforming hearts and changing sinful behavior, not hate of any person; for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Anita Bryant paid a high price for liberty. What price will you give? Read her autobiography, THE ANITA BRYANT STORY
- Russ Payne,
Merrimack