One Nation Under God or Man?

Seems like Mike Newdow has a problem with the word 'God'. Poor Mikey... well he is at it again and this is something I wrote last time he tired. (Sorry this is long)

One Nation Under God or Man?

As this country examines, and the high court rules on the phrase Under God I believe we are long over due for this self examination. Unfortunately scholarly minds across this great nation will take a vacation from reality instead. Reality given an open and honest review would suggest that even if you are one who has no belief in a deity but you are one who enjoys your freedom, then you too want everyone in America pledging that we are a nation Under God. You laugh, you scoff, you look down at me from your loftily intellectual fortress but will you take the time to examine this point?
First lets a look at the most misused, misapplied and misunderstood words in our founding papers
- Separation of Church and State. 

Would it surprise you to know that these words do not even appear in our founding papers? Many who use the words actually believe they are written in our constitution. Others who know the words are based on other like words have no idea just where to find them. These misquoted words are found in this country’s First Amendment. The actual words are “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... “. Many may argue that these words mean the same thing as Separation of Church and State, but those who do are simply wrong. How can I be so sure they are wrong? Well like so many discussions about the written word (the Bible being a prime example) one has to examine words in their context. You see the First Amendment does not talk solely about this issue. No, it continues “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.” Yes that other often quoted right called Freedom of Speech is also contained in the same First Amendment. Now what can a logical thinking human conclude from that fact? Let us look at this from the Freedom of Speech angle. We protect who with this statement? If you say every American, you are correct. But protected from whom? The same answer, every American but more specifically those Americans that we have elected to office; in short the Government. Noting here that people in Government are still Americans and still have the same rights as everyone else, while called to a higher standard they are no less protected by the First Amendment. It should be easy to see that the First Amendment in total is limiting the governmental power over the people and NOT the other way around. That being said the so called Separation of Church and State clause is only making sure the government does not establish or prohibit the free exercise of a religion. It does not mean that the Government for example can not have free speech or have its own press, for these items we know it does currently possess undisputed. It also does not mean that the Government has to deny our heritage. While many would like nothing better and have a strong belief it should, they would be well advised to rethink this fateful position.

The same people who think it is fine that America is founded on Christian beliefs but think that our heritage should be just a thing of the past, expunged from school text books as it has been and generally ‘kept in the closet’ feel just the opposite when it comes to other issues like homosexual agendas, pornography and drugs. Christians are often accused of being hypocrites but many lay claim to this moniker. It is simply easier to call a Christian one because they openly have a written set of standards. Standards, which in a country founded on Christian principles, are constantly and un-apologetically attacked. On the other hand when ones standards can change on a whim then pinning the hypocritical tail on the donkey becomes a bit more difficult. The fact remains the same; this country was founded by Godly men to be a nation under the same. Time and space does not allow a full look at our humble beginnings but I feel a brief glance is warranted. Let’s jump back to the Separation of Church and State. Those words actually came from one of our founding fathers. In an 1802 letter to the Danbury (Conn.) Baptist Association, Thomas Jefferson, then president, declared that the American people through the First Amendment had erected a “wall of separation between church and state.” The clear intention of his words (clear ONLY if you actually read his words in the context of the letter he wrote) was to simply assure the Baptists that they had no reason to ever fear being subjected to an established state church. Thomas Jefferson also had the following to say:

“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”—Thomas Jefferson, 1781, Notes on the State of Virginia.

“To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense in which he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others.”—Thomas Jefferson from The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Ellery Bergh

“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”—Thomas Jefferson. 

This hardly sounds like the man many would try to paint as Thomas Jefferson.

I must at this point diverge to make a quick point. Those who are all so worried about the Separation of Church and State and who are constantly worried about our children being indoctrinated into the Christian faith should take note. The above lines (and others that are soon to come) are historical facts, yet I am willing to venture that you never have had occasion to read them, hear them or have any exposure to these quotes. If you are an adult then you went through a school system much more favorable toward our founding faiths and beliefs than our current anti-heritage school indoctrination camps and you still were not presented a full and accurate picture of our culture. In short, you can stop worrying!

So is our heritage important? Well let me ask you a question; are your past events important? Is it important how you were raised, what you were taught and what you believe? You know it is; our prisons, shelters and universities all are testaments to what a troubled past can deliver. Ok, maybe the university crack was a cheap shot...maybe. Simply put and always understated, the fact is that our country was founded on a belief in God. Our Declaration of Independence has not one but many references to God. “We hold these Truths to be se1fevident, 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” Note that the framers said that we are endowed by our Creator. Endowed means to be ‘given’ something, you can not be given something from nothing, nor can you be given unalienable Rights from someone who does not have the authority. This is really the pivotal point but I’m getting ahead of myself. Please also note the framers did not say “Men are endowed by a primordial soup...” Now the framers did talk about separation in the Declaration of Independence.

In referencing their desire to dissolve their ‘political bands’ from the British Crown they wrote “the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature‘s God entitle them”. Now who could they be referring to when they wrote Nature‘s God? Don’t answer yet there is more; “Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions” and then there is “for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

Now for those of us with a public education, divine means heavenly and the definition of Providence used here is the protective care of God. Clearly these men were driven by and designed a country based on a belief in God. Let’s go back even further and look at the Pilgrims. After landing on this continent they wrote the Mayflower Compact adopted November 11, 1620. Here is the opening line “In the name of God, Amen”. But just why did the Pilgrims come here? They were a group of separatists fleeing from persecution by the Church of England. As for why they came here, let us read that from the Mayflower Compact. “Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith...” Again I’ll ask you to reflect on these words and try to remember if you have ever heard them before? Are they important historical words regarding the founding of our country? Just in case you are not fully convinced of our founder’s faith, let’s fast forward to the founders again. Here are some more of their quotes:

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and to humbly implore His protection and favor. “—George Washington, First National Day of Thanksgiving.

To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to laud the more distinguished Character of Christian.”—General George Washington, May 2, 1778, Valley Forge, PA

And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”—George Washington, “Farewell Address,” 1796.

Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?”—George Washington, “Farewell Address,” 1796

History will also afford the frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion, from its usefulness to the public; the advantage of a religious character among private persons; the mischief of superstition, and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modem.”—Benjamin Franklin, Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1749)

And have we forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.”—Benjamin Franklin, quoted by James Madison in “Notes on Debates in the Federal Convention of] 787.” Athens: Ohio University Press, 1985, Page 209.

He who should introduce into public affairs the principles of Christianity will change the face of the world. “—Benjamin Franklin

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; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better that the builders of Babel.”—Benjamin Franklin as quoted by James Madison, The Papers of James Madison, Henry D. Gilpin, ed. (Washington: Langtree & O’Sullivan, 1840), Vol. II, p. 985.

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...”—Benjamin Franklin, June 28, 1787, Constitutional Convention.

If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it?”—Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Thomas Paine (skeptic).

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”—President John Adams in his October 11, 1798 address to the Military.

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were...the general principles of Christianity…1 will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God. “—President John Adams in a letter to Thomas Jefferson. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson by Thomas Jefferson. Washington, D.C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904. Vol. XIII pp. 292.294.)

The Christian Constitutional Society,’ its object to be first: the support of the Christian religion; second: the support of the United States.”—Alexander Hamilton in 1802. Hamilton signed and voted to ratify the US. Constitution.

Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birth-day of the Savior.”—John Quincy Adams, An Oration Delivered Before the Inhabitants of the Town of Newburyport, at Their Request, on the Sixty-first Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4^th, 1837 (Newburyport: Charles Whipple, 1837), p. 5.

Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the Christian religion.” AND, “...the religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and his apostles.” AND, “This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free constitutions of government. “—Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), p. 300, Sec. 578.

The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His Apostles.... This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.”—Noah Webster, History of the United States, 1832, public school textbook

And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.”—James Madison, 1815 Presidential Proclamation.

The Christian Religion, in it’s purity, is the basis and the source of all genuine freedom in government.”—James Madison

He is the best friend of Liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind.”—John Witherspoon, “Sermon on the Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men, “May 17, 1776; quoted and cited by Varnum Lansing Collins, “President Witherspoon,” (New York: Arno Press and The New York Times, 1969), 1:197-198; quoted by John Eidsmoe, “Christianity and the Constitution: Faith of Our Founding Fathers, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 85.

God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one may be inseparable and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one may in the issue tend to support the establishment of both.”—John Witherspoon, “Sermon on the Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men, “May 17, 1776; quoted and cited by Varnum Lansing Collins, “President Witherspoon,” (New York: Arno Press and The New York Times, 1969), 1:197-198; quoted by John Eidsmoe, “Christianity and the Constitution: Faith of Our Founding Fathers, “(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 85.

This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed .“—Patrick Henry, From a copy of Henry’s Last Will and Testament obtained from Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation, Red Hill, Brookneal, VA.

That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.”—The Virginia Bill of Rights, Section 16, acknowledged by all to have been penned by Patrick Henry

Let the children.. .be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education.”—Benjamin Rush, A Plan For Free Schools, 1787.

The memory is the first faculty which opens in the minds of children. Of how much consequence, then, must it be to impress it with the great truths of Christianity, before it is preoccupied with less interesting subjects. “—Benjamin Rush, A Defense of the Use of the Bible in Schools, 1830

Every just principle that is to be found in the writings of Voltaire is borrowed from the Bible; and the morality of Deists, which has been so much admired and praised where it has existed, has been I believe, in most cases, the effect of habits produced by early instruction in the principles of Christianity.”—Benjamin Rush, A Defence of the Use of the Bible in Schools, 1830

It is an anti-Christian idea to suppose that it can be profaned by being carried into a schoolhouse, or by being handled by children.”—Benjamin Rush, A Defence of the Use of the Bible in Schools, 1830.

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.” By withholding the knowledge of this doctrine from children, we deprive ourselves of the best means of awakening moral sensibility in their minds.”—Benjamin Rush, A Defense of the Use of the Bible in Schools, 1830.

Ok, Ok... I’ll stop but I could go on for many pages. Let me ask you another question, especially if you are acquainted with the law. Who said the following:

“Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise, and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian. .These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation.”

Any guesses…Another one of those fanatical founding fathers? No, not this time, this time it came from the highly educated, the often quoted (selectively of course) Supreme Court! (Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States; 143 U S. 457, 471 (1892)). I know I said I would stop but here are a few other Supreme Court quotes:

“We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.” AND, “When the State encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. “--12. Zorach v. Clauson; 343 U S. 306, 312-314 (1952).

“The Constitution (does not) require complete separation of church and state; it affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions, and forbids hostility toward any.” Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger. Lemon v. Kurtzman, (403 US. 602 (1971)
And in the most recent ‘Under God’ case which has sparked much public opinion, including the words you are now reading, the court said:

We recognize that the Supreme Court has occasionally commented in
dicta that the presence of “one nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance
is constitutional. See Allegheny, 492 US. at 602-03; Lynch, 465
US. at 676, id. at 693 ‘O’onnor, J., concurring); Abington Sch. Dist. v.
Schempp, 374 US. 203, 303-04 (1963) (Brennan, .1, concurring); id. at 306-08 (Goldberg, J., joined by Harlan, I, concurring); Engel, 370 US.
at 435 n. 21.

And just one more piece of evidence for this country’s founding, belief in and reliance on God, did you know that every constitution of the fifty states which make up our union contains a reference to God? Now how should it be that all of them have gotten it wrong?

So what is really the point to all of this? Does it really matter if God is part of our history or our future? I said at the beginning of this article that even those who do not believe in God should hope that we continue to be a Nation under God. Why am I making such a statement? It is really quite simple. Before I answer that let me make a few more points. This nation of ours was really an experiment. I’ll bet you have never thought of it that way, but when it was founded no other country in the history of the planet had tried to be a country of, for, and by the people. Not one. If I may be so bold let me suggest the single reason that this concept worked and not only worked but became arguably the greatest nation on earth. That single reason was and is that this country be a Nation under God. Now before you think I’m speaking hyperbolically consider just where your rights come from. They either have to come from God or they must come from man. If they come from man, then you are subject to not only his inherent nature but you are subject to (as we noted before) his undocumented whims. You may have gleamed some of this sentiment by reading the excerpts of the founding fathers quotes. They truly understood this need in subjugated authority. Again I ask you to not only read but understand some of the founder’s comments:

And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”—George Washington, “Farewell Address, “ 1796

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”—President John Adams in his October 11, 1798 address to the Military.

The framers understood all to well the nature of man set to his own course. Many will make reference to religions many short comings in our past. History has many examples of men injecting their own warped religious dogma. This does not take into full account the countless good that religion has bestowed on this globe. Nor does it effectively take into account the true nature of man. When men warp religion they are doing so at their own peril. The true religious mandates of love, kindness, selflessness, honor, morality will always prevail as long as these precepts are available to the masses. As long as they have not be so filtered out by a society in constant pursuit to not offend a single individual, while outraging the masses. As long as they are the corner stone of any building, they will stand. I understand why so many faithless people have an adverse reaction to the actual historical fact that their country was founded on a very strong belief in God. They have unfortunately been confronted by well meaning but over zealous Christians trying to offer them the only thing in life that matters. They have not in these encounters seen the true face or nature of God. Many faithless believe that Christians want to force everyone to think the same way and live the same way. This again misses the true nature of God. I find it both amusing and frustrating to watch these unbelievers. When it comes to the nature of God they never really understand Him. Of course they never really try. They will often say, “How could a caring God let this or that happen?” And when you try to explain ‘free will’ to them, they seem to glaze over cold. And this is what prevents them from understanding that the freedoms they currently enjoy are based upon that same God. The reason that each of us enjoys the freedoms this country offers is directly related to the fact that our founders understood the nature of God. They understood the rights and choices He has given each person. They understood that every person was created in the image of the Father. They understood that salvation was a gift, not something forced on every individual, but a gift one must accept. They also supported ones right not to accept that gift, to accept a different gift or none at all, because they like the God they founded this county on believe in rights granted to every person. As long as this country is founded on a supreme being, the God the founders knew so well, then no man can ever have a greater right over another. Every man must answer to well defined and published words of the Father. No single man or group of men can ever take away the rights endowed men by their Creator. Take away God and you take away those unalienable rights. For if there is no creator and we have truly climbed out of a primordial soup and survival of the fittest is the law of nature then we no longer have a nature‘s God. We are then left to the will of man and if you find that more comforting than the will of God, then you do not understand the nature of God or man.

Some like to quote and others are bothered by Thomas Jefferson’s letter regarding Separation of Church and State, I however am much more troubled by his words “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas like his apostle name sake truly understood the nature of God.