--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: God forbid, but if this nation ultimately…" description: "\"“God forbid, but if this nation ultimately fails, I believe it will be because opinions, propaganda, and superstitions replaced facts as the basis for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/dan-rather-2779_believe-opinions_god-forbid-but-if-this-nation-ultimately_995355.jpg" --- # God forbid, but if this nation ultimately fails, I believe… ![“God forbid, but if this nation ultimately fails, I believe it will be because opinions, propaganda, and superstitions replaced facts as the basis for our governance. By doing so, we will have undercut a key strength of the United States over the course of its history, one that receives too little…” quote by Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/dan-rather-2779_believe-opinions_god-forbid-but-if-this-nation-ultimately_995355.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/dan-rather-2779_believe-opinions_god-forbid-but-if-this-nation-ultimately_995355.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/dan-rather-2779_believe-opinions_god-forbid-but-if-this-nation-ultimately_995355.jpg) > ““God forbid, but if this nation ultimately fails, I believe it will be because opinions, propaganda, and superstitions replaced facts as the basis for our governance. By doing so, we will have undercut a key strength of the United States over the course of its history, one that receives too little attention: science.”” [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He warns that replacing facts with opinion and propaganda weakens governance, undermining a historic strength of the US: reliance on science. **In simple terms:** Replacing facts with opinion harms governance. Key Takeaway Protect factual decision‑making. Themes science governance truth media politics Mood concerned urgent Type political analytical When to use this quote - policy debates - education reform - media literacy - government transparency - public health campaigns Key Concepts epistemology public policy information integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance free speech with factual integrity? - What mechanisms ensure science informs policy? A Different Perspective Science alone cannot solve political bias; cultural values also matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I think the Iraqis themselves will have to make a determination as to what type of government they ultimately come up with and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/i-think-the-iraqis-themselves-will-have-to-make-a-determination-as-to/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [The strength of the nation ultimately depends upon the strength of family and community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fortenberry/the-strength-of-the-nation-ultimately-depends-upon-the-strength-of/) [Jeff Fortenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fortenberry/) > [Don't have an opinion about a person until you know them. 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