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America’s Christian Heritage
June 6th, 2010
Evidence gleaned from the Constitution and its authors.
Most people will take as fact almost anything they are told, if it fits their worldview. They may even denigrate things without taking the time to study them. It is pointedly visible when someone attacks the Christian Heritage of the United States… most who do show that ignorance (the word is chosen because of what it means, simply not knowing, it does not extend to the motivation of the person) have not taken the time to critically examine the evidence. They will often cite platitudes like “the separation of church and state” or no “religious test for candidates.”
First let us re-examine these two assertions.
“The separation of church and state” as a phrase, does not appear anywhere in the U.S. Constitution, it is a taken from an exchange of letters between Thomas Jefferson and the Danbury Baptists. The Baptists concern was the First Amendment, and whether the rights granted were inalienable, that is given by God to the individual, and thus strictly between God and the individual.
In fact, Jefferson himself had raised much of the same issue, in his second inaugural address given in 1805, Jefferson reiterated his stance thus, “In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general government.” To further understand Thomas Jefferson’s stance on this issue, let us look to a letter written by him to Samuel Millar in 1808 in which Jefferson wrote “I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions . . . or exercises.
For those who have never read what inalienable right is enumerated in the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, let us examine the entire text of amendment one.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
It is plainly evident that the rights addressed are between the individual and their creator, and the government is barred from any interference whatsoever. In addition the rights that are further enumerated, free speech, free press and free assembly are specifically related to the first enumerated right, that of freedom of religion!
In our secular society, this very issue is twisted to protect the government from any religion. But in reality, this protection was to keep religion from the corrupting influence of government and power. This is patently evident when one reads the Declaration of Independence and the writings of our founding fathers. We must understanding the mindset of those escaping a monarchy coupled to the Church of England, where the sovereign was the king. There were other prevailing circumstances at the founding, including colonies having established denominations by law.
I would also posit this so-called separation is arguably Judeo-Christian in origin. In the Exodus, God established that those who would perform the duties of the tabernacle and temple are descended from Levi (Numbers 3:21-37.) Yet the kings who would rule over Israel are descended from David (1 Samuel 16:1-23.) David descended from the tribe of Judah. Is this not a separation of those who perform holy duties from those doing secular duties in the nation of Israel?
The prohibition of a religious test for candidates I would claim, is also grounded in a decidedly Christian ethic of freedom of conscience! That is, the sovereignty of the individual and his personal choices in his relationship to God. These religious requirements were already established in variously state constitutions creating an inequity. This religious requirement was seen as a denial of individual civil and religious freedoms.
God is quite clear on conscience, in Romans 14:5-12. Paul reiterates the individual’s responsibility to God in verse 12, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Our founding fathers understood this precept quite clearly. If the individual gives account before God, government is not the mediator of the things of God. Again, this is made quite clear in 1 Timothy 2:4-6, specifically, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
These two issues are tied together intricately, and have undeniable foundations in Judeo-Christian thought. In the last 100 years or so, there is a concerted effort to eviscerate this individual right. It is clearly a right retained by the individual, it is not a right granted to the government, nor would it restrict religion, or its free exercise.
Having dealt with these two objections to the Christian Heritage of the United States, I would like to offer one other startling find in the Constitution!. It is true, that some may still assert there is no specific proof of a Christian heritage in the original Constitution and Bill of Rights. I would have to disagree. There is a glaring inference to the Christian convictions of those who ratified it. It is found in Article I Section 7 in the second paragraph.
“Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.”
Did you find it?
It is even set aside in parentheses for you! ” If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law,” (emphasis mine.)
There are many question this raises in any thinking person’s mind. However, it is undeniable that Sunday was set aside as a special day. If the heritage of this country is not specifically Christian, why is Sunday excepted, and not Friday, Saturday, or Wednesday?
Furthermore, there is another curious assent to none other than Jesus Christ! The document is dated, with the phrase “in the year of our Lord!” I ask, what Lord are WE honoring, other than Jesus Christ?
In conclusion, I have not made exhaustive research, but only scratched the surface. The foundations of this great nation are undeniably Christian. The heritage of our founding fathers, in their own character, words and deeds undeniably lay the foundations for this truth. 52 of the 55 of those signatories to the Declaration of Independence were deeply committed Christians, the other three believed the Bible to be Divine truth, and that the God of that Bible personally intervenes in the affairs of men.
These same men formed the first Continental Congress. Among the first actions of that congress were to create the American Bible Society and offer public funding to import 20,000 copies of the Bible! What has been taught in public schools is correct, however it is only a small portion of history, purposely presented to make a case for a secular nation.
Make no mistake… there is a war being fought for the hearts and minds (and consequently, souls) of humanity. The main weapon being used is delusion… one needs to exercise discernment to know the truth.
If you still are not convinced… I will leave you with the following. It is the text of a proposal Benjamin Franklin made to the Constitution Convention of 1787 on June 28.
“Mr. President. The small progress we have made after four or five weeks close attendance, continual reasonings with each other, and our different sentiments on almost every question — several of the last producing as many Noes as Ayes – is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding.
We, indeed, seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running all about in search of it.
We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those republics, which — having been originally formed with the seeds of their own dissolution — now no longer exist.
And we have viewed modern states all round Europe but find none of their constitutions suitable to our circumstances.
In this situation of this assembly — groping as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us — how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understanding.
In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for ‘Divine Protection.’
Our prayers, Sir, were heard and graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending Providence in our favor.
To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.
And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need its Assistance?
I have lived, Sir, a long time. The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men!
And if a sparrow cannot fail to the ground without His notice, is it probable than an empire cannot rise without his aid?
We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that: ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this.
I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.
We shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests. Our projects will be confounded and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages.
What is worse, Mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human Wisdom and leave it to Chance, War and Conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that: “Henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven — and its blessing on our deliberations — be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the Clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.”
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Text filed under Apologetics, government, history, News&Views, views | Tags: Constitution, God, government, heritage, Jesus Christ, the lie | Comments Off
