Our Godly Heritage

by Tim Shaw (Pennsylvania)

(Historical references taken from "We Hold These Truths" by Rep. Larry McDonald)

Government should only be large enough to secure our God-given Rights. Never large enough to violate them.

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FREEDOM

It has been said by some that God has no place in America. That there should be a "Wall of Separation between Church and State" and that any national mention of our God, the Founder of this great nation, will only hinder--if not destroy our freedom. To those who make such a claim, the question must be asked: If our Rights are not granted by God, where do they come from? Congress? The Supreme Court? The Bill of Rights? If government grants them, than surely government can take them away. No, you are a free people. Your Rights are endowed to you by your Creator. They can never be taken away. You have the Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. No matter of laws, no parchment, no court decision, can ever stand between you and them. Denial of this truth is the first step to tyranny, for it denies not only God’s sovereignty above man, but our sovereignty above government.

We read in the Declaration of Independence that "...all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed....."

This is the Foundation of our Freedom, the intent of the Founding Fathers, and the whole purpose of our US Constitution. We have a three-tier system of powers. At the head is God, who grants men their Rights. It is men who GRANT government its power to protect those Rights. The POWER of government is to protect your God-given Rights, nothing more. First God, then Men, then Government. Thus "deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed". In today’s America we have Government at the helm, the governed below it, and God simply forgotten as a footnote of the past. Where the Lord is found, there is liberty. The blessings that this nation has received have come only from our admission of that truth. Our denial has only resulted in immorality, debt, and loss of freedom.

WHERE THE LORD IS FOUND, THERE IS LIBERTY

The first Amendment to the US Constitution reads : "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 of the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The argument today surrounds the use of the words "establishment" and "free exercise". There are two basic ideologies from the "Wall of Separation " side. Those who believe in the "absolute separatist " theory claim that the Amendment was written to keep religion out of our nation’s fundamental law. The believers of this ideology claim that the Founders were not religious men, that they openly (or secretly) and most deliberately sought to keep God out of all national affairs. They believe that the Founders were "man centered" or deists and that they sought to rely solely on man’s will rather than God or morality. A quick scroll down of this page completely destroys this claim. They were open and obedient servants of God.

The other ideology actually confesses that the Founders were Christians, but argues that they sought to separate their Judeo-Christian beliefs from our Constitution. The "pluralist" or "non-preferential" theory claims that since no one religion should receive any preference under our laws, religion should and must be kept locked away behind closed doors. This is perhaps the most common belief today.

The separatists will have nothing of religion, and the pluralists will allow it--so long as the law is uniform to all religions. Both theories are completely false and show a radical break from the beliefs and ethics that founded our Constitution. It is more than just revisionist history, it is a slow destruction of the entire purpose of limited Government. If there is no God, He gave us no rights. If there are no God-given Rights, government can take them away. Furthermore, since the claim was that government derives is power from the "consent of the governed", who in turn received their Rights from God, that too is in question, and results in absolute tyranny. Where there is no God, there is no liberty.

RELIGION AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT

The evidence surrounding the creation of the First Amendment clearly refutes the claims of both the "pluralists" and the "separatists". It plainly shows that the intent of the First Amendment "establishment" and "free exercise" clauses were to simply prevent the creation of a national tax-financed and supported church or denomination, while leaving the people free to practice their religious faiths without government intervention.

It must be remembered that the "intent of the law-giver is the law". If this is not so, if the Constitution does not mean what it says, then we have no Constitution. It can change year by year, day by day at the whim of the Supreme Court. By looking to the words of the Founding Fathers we discover their intent, and thus the true interpretation. As we do this, we come to understand why they felt it necessary to mention this amendment in the first place.

The Founders had seen the damage done by the Church of England, by other European churches, and even by some of the colonial-established churches. Established churches at that time, were most often officially protected by the civil government, with a compulsory orthodoxy enforced by that government--and supported by taxpayers no matter what denomination. They held the exclusive right of the state to hold worship services, perform weddings, burials, evangelize, and educate children as a church. Only members of that church could vote, hold office, or even a certain line of work. It was this that the Founders sought to avoid not the mere mention of God in school. Not the nativity scene in City Hall. The First Amendment tore a wall down--the wall of religious tyranny. Nothing could be further from the truth than the belief they hoped to destroy God’s role in government by building a wall of separation.

This Amendment was to have absolutely no power over the states. The entire amendment was to solely and specifically limit the power of the Federal government. Thus the words "Congress shall make no law....." If given the power to enforce anything of that nature over the states, the founders knew it would be an abuse of power. The states therefore, could keep any state established church they desired. Only a Nationally Established church was limited by the First Amendment. Giving the Federal Government the power to either create a nationally established church--or the right to forbid state-established churches would only result in abuse of power and tyranny eventually. The Bill of Rights was created to LIMIT the power of Federal government, not grant it power.

THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR

The evidence supporting this claim is clear. The following are a few examples of our Godly heritage at the state level after the ratification of the Bill of Rights. If the intent of the Founding Fathers had been to smash religion in government, they would have done so. If their intent had been to build a "Wall of Separation" they would have done so. Looking to the past, we find the exact opposite. The Federal government was to have no say over state affairs concerning religion. The states were free to make or change law as they deemed necessary.

The Congregational Church of Massachusetts was not disestablished until 1833, 50 years after the ratification of the First Amendment.

Connecticut’s constitution also contained manifestly Christian provisions. The Congregational Church of Connecticut was not disestablished until 1818.

Thomas Jefferson, accused of being a deist by revisionists because of his leadership in the disestablishment effort, was an Anglican who served on his local church vestry.

Virginia did not see full legal separation from the state-supported Episcopalian church until 1840, long after the First Amendment and Jefferson’s "Act Establishing Religious Freedom" were passed.

James Madison, another falsely accused deist authored a Virginia law in 1785, that punished Sabbath breakers.

New Jersey had a Protestant constitution until 1844, when Roman Catholics were allowed to hold office in the state.

New Hampshire had a Protestant religious requirement for all state legislature members until 1852.

North Carolina had a constitution manifestly Protestant until 1835, until it was broadened to "Christian". In 1868 all wording was removed as to not limit members of the Jewish faith.

New York required a Protestant test oath for all naturalized citizens until 1806.

Delaware’s constitution abolished all religious test oaths for state legislature in 1792, but made it clear that "all men owe their rights to God, have a duty to worship Him, and have a duty to maintain piety and morality for the good of the community as well as to fulfill their obligation to God."

Pennsylvania’s constitution in 1790 omitted all requirements that members of the state legislature believe the New Testament was of divine inspiration as to allow members of the Jewish faith to serve. The constitutions of 1790, 1838, and 1873 however, required that legislators acknowledge "the being of God and a future state of rewards or punishments." It also preserved the law of 1700 that penalized blasphemy of "Almighty God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Scriptures of Truth".

Maryland’s legislature required a Christian test oath for public office following a law passed in 1781. It was done away with in 1826 to allow members of the Jewish faith to serve.

Rhode Island’s charter of 1663, provided for religious freedom from its creation. It was a militantly Christian document, and lasted until 1842. Even after that time the Christian principles remained, but in shorter form.

State governments often made land available to Christian denominations, groups and educational institutions.

States often created a tax-exempt status for churches and financially supported construction of church buildings and their educational facilities.

State governments employed paid chaplains in their legislatures and military.

Preachers from the South to New England gave election sermons to state militia groups, state legislatures, and governors.

The courts enforced laws against Sabbath breakers and blasphemy.

Governors frequently proclaimed days of thanksgiving.

Clearly there was no wall of separation at the state level. The Presidents elect made no attempt to restrict them. The Congresses elect made no attempt to restrict them. To say that our Founding Fathers were separatists or pluralists simply does not hold. If they had sought to build a "Wall of Separation" they would have done so.

RELIGIOUS MORALITY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL

The religious faith of our early Presidents, of Congress, and the Supreme Court reflected the same Godly heritage as our states. With deep conviction, they advised the people of America to give thanks to God for the blessings we have received. Our Founding Fathers understood that it was Divine Providence alone that created this great nation, and it would be Divine Providence alone that would destroy it if we were to ever forget God’s blessing. Here are more examples:

Congress had a paid Chaplain.

Congress arranged a Christian service to be part of President Washington’s inauguration. Samuel Provost, who was the Chaplain of Congress, was asked to perform the service. The inauguration was held at St. Paul’s Chapel, an Episcopal Church. As Washington gave the oath of office he held the Bible in one hand. At the close of the oath he added the words "... so help me God." And kissed the Bible. To this day the words remain. His speech was full of religious references.

The Presidents following George Washington each gave inaugural speeches full of religious references, including supposed "deists" Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

James Madison, another so called "deist", one who the separatists' claim sought to "build a Wall between Church and State" created the system of congressional chaplains along with other Christian statesmen. Madison therefore officially connected Christianity to the Federal government without placing the exclusive favor in any one denomination.

Congress established a system of military chaplains and ensured that federal institutions, hospitals, and prisons had them as well.

Both the Senate and the House authorized use of their halls for worship service on Sundays. Chaplains or outstanding speakers (chosen by the congressional chaplains) were invited to speak. Our Presidents, members of Congress and the people often attended services. The Marine Corps played the hymns and psalms as well as other Christian music.

Our Presidents (at the request of Congress) issued proclamations for days of thanksgiving in good times. In hard times, proclamations of fasting or prayer were often issued.

Treaties with Indian tribes resulting in federal money or land being given to promote Christian purposes from missions, to churches, to a Roman Catholic College among the Indians, were ratified by two-thirds majority vote of the Senate, long after the passage of the First Amendment. This was common during Jefferson’s Administration.

Christian signs or symbols adorn the capitol, the Washington Monument and many other public buildings.

As the Supreme Court opens session, the US Marshall’s traditional announcement is "God save the United States and this honorable court."

James Madison issued 4 proclamations of thanksgiving.

Clearly, there was no wall of separation at the federal level either. The Presidents elect made no attempt to restrict them. The Congresses elect made no attempt to restrict them. To say that our Founding Fathers were separatists or pluralists simply does not hold. If they had sought to build a "Wall of Separation" they again-- would have done so.

RESTORING THE FOUNDATION

[We seek] to restore this foundation. We are not the "religious right". We are not of one denomination or even one faith. We are Lutheran, Jewish, Catholic, Methodist, Mormon, Presbyterian, Baptist, non-denominational and even Buddhist. We together realize God’s role in the birth of our America, the greatest nation in history. We together realize that it is the Principles of our Founding Fathers that made this nation strong. Only by restoring those Principles will we restore the America we once knew. [We are] not ashamed to admit that all Rights come from God, or that the people grant government it's power. It is the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution that we seek to uphold.

Philadelphia was the birthplace of our nation. It was here that 55 delegates met, during a broiling summer in 1787, to forge a government unlike any other in history. Independence Hall, once holding Madison, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, Jay, and Hamilton now stands silent, filled with only voices of the past. In front of Independence Hall stands a statue of George Washington, forever looking out across the park to the Liberty Bell. His gaze never falters, never changes, even as the tide of morality changes within our beautiful America. He stands there giving silent testimony to all who come to this place. And sometimes if you listen hard enough, you can hear him say just as clear as he did so many years ago...

"I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them."

Come Home America, come home.