posted on May 2, 2004 09:36:54 PM new
One nation ... increasingly divisible
Jerry Falwell
------------------------------------------
I imagine that Rep. James McDermott has heard from many of his trendy liberal friends who have been telling him what a brave and courageous soul he is for snubbing the phrase "under God" when he led the House of Representatives in saying the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday.
Rep. McDermott, a man who does pledge allegiance to Planned Parenthood, the Feminist Majority and the other dictatorial abortion-rights groups in our nation, contended that he refused to utter the words "under God" because the courts are presently considering whether the phrase is constitutional. He was referring, of course, to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found the two words to be unconstitutional. A decision on that ruling is pending at the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is just one more case of an abject secularist ignoring the God-centered groundwork that is responsible for the establishment and achievement of this nation. Today's secularists loathe America's biblical underpinning that served to inspire and motivate our founders to forge a nation that would recognize the value of its religious citizens, even in governmental affairs. They disrespect our history and seek only to establish an agenda that eradicates our longstanding religious heritage.
Secularists want the American public square to be devoid of religious influence, especially if it has a Christian foundation. From Ten Commandments monuments at American courthouses, to high school football game prayers, to the brief mention of God in our Pledge, secularists are seeking to enforce their marginal views on the nation, thereby creating an America that our founders would not recognize.
Barry Lynn, president of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, a group that seeks to wholly secularize our nation, admitted to me that he ultimately hopes to purge the words "In God We Trust" from our currency.
I wonder if secularists would, given the ability to do so, strike the phrase "endowed by our Creator" from the U.S. Constitution. They have asserted that the great document is a living, breathing manuscript, which suggests that they believe they ultimately have the leeway to extract words or phrases that offend and insult their present-day secularist notions.
Will they take control of our nation's textbooks so that they can cleanse words that chronicle our founders as men of faith who routinely sought guidance from above? Will secularists obscure from future generations the fact that our founders called the nation to earnest prayer and supplication, entreating Almighty God to bless them? Will ministers one day be punished for upholding the Word of God in sermons that counter the secularist standpoint?
Columnist Ann Coulter, who certainly has a matchless way with words, said recently, "The nation waits with bated breath to see if, this term, the court will strike 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance. Liberals are so desperate for this to happen that some of them are actually praying for it."
Mr. McDermott will no doubt become the poster child for the effort to thoroughly secularize our nation. He is already revered by secularists for his action in June 2002, when the House of Representatives voted to condemn the 9th Circuit Court's ruling that declared the Pledge unconstitutional. With a vote of 416-to-2, the House adopted the measure, with Rep. McDermott voting "present." Then in a March 2003 resolution, Rep. McDermott joined with six other "no" voters in refusing to condemn the 9th Circuit ruling.
Gary Bauer, chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, said, "While Jim McDermott may be in the minority in the House of Representatives, he does, unfortunately, 'represent' many on the lunatic fringe of American politics who are increasingly active and energized this year. In the 'civil war' over values, either McDermott's worldview will prevail or our worldview, that recognizes God as the author of our liberty, will prevail."
The chief problem, however, is that those in this lunatic fringe are characteristically portrayed in the so-called mainstream media as holding conventional viewpoints.
Conjecture is treated as truth.
We see it every day.
The mainstream media hold what have become established views on issues such as abortion, evolution and homosexual rights that counter the mindset of millions of Americans. But they treat these views as fact, purposely disregarding and discounting as irrelevant the views of those who do not accept these "truths."
This is how our nation will become increasingly secularized and divided. It is a tragedy of immense proportions that so many of our fellow Americans simply fall into lockstep with the trend-as-truth mentality.
That is why it behooves every one of us who loves America and the foundation on which it was built to uphold the legacy of our forefathers by taking a stand for our religious freedoms. Unless we rise up and take action — a good first step would be to vote out the Jim McDermotts of the day — our children will one day wake in a vast secularist wasteland that used to be America.
America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledged God in their state constitutions:
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama ... invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution ...
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land ...
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government ...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ...
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe ...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy ...
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences ...
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty ... establish this Constitution ...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution ...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble.
We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... establish this Constitution ...
Idaho 1889, Preamble.
We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings ...
Illinois 1870, Preamble.
We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors ...
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government ...
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings ... establish this Constitution ...
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges ... establish this Constitution ...
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties ...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy ...
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine ... acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction ...
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty ...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity ... and devoutly imploring His direction ...
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom ... establish this Constitution ...
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings ...
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work ...
Missouri 1945, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness ... establish this Constitution ...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty ... establish this Constitution ...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ... establish this Constitution ...
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ... establish this Constitution ...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience ...
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors …
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty ...
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings ...
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for ... our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those ...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common ...
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences ...
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance ...
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island ... grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing ...
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of the State of South Carolina ... grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution ...
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to [b]Almighty God[/] for our civil and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution ...
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience ...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God ...
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we ... establish this Constitution ...
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to ... enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI ... Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator ... can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other ...
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ...
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia ... reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility ...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution ...
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong.
posted on May 3, 2004 07:28:13 AM new
Falwell was probably mixing the Constitution up with the Declaration of Independence.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 3, 2004 02:19:08 PM new
No Falwell is not "mostly correct".
First the Declaration does not say "endowed by our Creator". It says "endowed by their creator. "Their" is used as a possessive infinitive which means that whatever each person may think created them, also endowed you with certain inalienable rights.
The Declaration of Independence is not a "founding" document. It is a declaration of indepemdence by the colonies, not the United States. It has no force of law in the United States either. And even before the Constitution we had the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution is the founding document of the United States and is the supreme law of the land.
Falwell as usual, doesn't know what he is talking about.
posted on May 3, 2004 02:23:43 PM new
How could Falwell have gotten them mixed up when he goes on to describe the US Constitution ?
I wonder if secularists would, given the ability to do so, strike the phrase "endowed by our Creator" from the U.S. Constitution. They have asserted that the great document is a living, breathing manuscript, which suggests that they believe they ultimately have the leeway to extract words or phrases that offend and insult their present-day secularist notions.
posted on May 3, 2004 02:31:35 PM new How could Falwell have gotten them mixed up when he goes on to describe the US Constitution?
Probably because he never bothered to read either document himself, but rather relied on what he's heard or been told.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 3, 2004 02:43:20 PM new
"First the Declaration does not say "endowed by our Creator". It says "endowed by their creator. "Their" is used as a possessive infinitive which means that whatever each person may think created them, also endowed you with certain inalienable rights. "
I see no difference here. 'Our' creator or 'Their' creator. It's a fairly unimportant word in this usage. Did Falwell misquote it? Yes, but I see no substantial difference.
'The Declaration of Independence is not a "founding" document. It is a declaration of indepemdence by the colonies, not the United States. '
It was an important part of the beginnings of this country, and most of the founding fathers signed it, so we can assume they agreed with what was said. I would definitely call it a founding document, even though I agree that it has no official power.
'It has no force of law in the United States either. And even before the Constitution we had the Articles of Confederation. '
You are 100% correct here. But that doesn't mean that the Declaration has no HISTORICAL importance.
'The Constitution is the founding document of the United States and is the supreme law of the land.'
Right, but we're not really talking about the Constitution here.
Again, I will restate myself. Falwell made a stupid mistake in mixing his documents- very sloppy.
But his point is still valid- *IF* the Liberals had their way, would they or wouldn't they remove that phrase? I think they would.
--------------------------------------
We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing -- Anonymous
posted on May 3, 2004 03:06:10 PM newBut his point is still valid- *IF* the Liberals had their way, would they or wouldn't they remove that phrase? I think they would.
Why would they ? As a historical document it reinforces the liberal view that this nation was not founded as a christian
The phrase "endowed by their creator" is vastly different from "endowed by our creator".
Falwell is attempting to say that the Declaration of Independence implies that its author and signers and everyone else all believed in the same god, that is "our" god, when that simply is not the case, nor is it Jefferson's intent.
Delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled on the fifteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America agree to certain articles of...
posted on May 3, 2004 07:41:28 PM new
Linda, even I have to admit, that's a stretch.
I doubt even the liberals want to replace every date in every history book ever written
On the other hand...
I'm current back in school, and I do notice that the modern history books DO NOT us the usual AD and BC dates. Now everything is listed as B.C.E. ("Before Common Era". So maybe even this is not beyond their scope.
--------------------------------------
We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing -- Anonymous
posted on May 3, 2004 07:49:29 PM new
replay - that's a stretch
You're entitled to your opinion as is every one. I don't believe they would have mentioned anything having to do with "our Lord" if they disapproved of God being mentioned.
My link give proof of our coinage too.....not just starting in the 50's....but long before.
I have always maintained that this so called 'separation of church and state' is not mentioned any where in our Constitution and in other documents when it is....it refers to not have our nation be run by ONE church...like the Church of England.
But I hold my ground that the mention of God, Lord, Creator, Master of the Universe, etc....shows our founders had NO intent to keep everything God related out of our nation as the seculist's claim - nor did the states as they were joining The Union.
posted on May 3, 2004 07:58:11 PM new
Many of the papers that are on bill clinton's presidential library show that phrase still in use. One example here:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Clinton, Governor of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim the month of January 1990 as
T. CASEY BRENNAN MONTH
in Arkansas.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed at the Capitol in Little Rock on this 22nd day of December in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred eighty-nine.
[Original signed]
Bill Clinton
GOVERNOR
posted on May 3, 2004 09:59:54 PM newin the year of our Lord
Well if that makes us a christian nation then what do we make of the names of our months and days ? They are all named after pagan beliefs. So we must be a pagan nation.
Question 1:
Which month is named after the first Emperor of Rome?
posted on May 3, 2004 10:25:21 PM new
In the year of our lord is nothing more than an english translation of the latin words anno domini (A.D.) It's a date designation signifying which calendar is being used, not a declaration of faith.
Linda, while your first post of all the state constitutions is interesting, what's most interesting is that none of them mentions Jesus or Christ.
___________________________________
When a dog howls at the moon, we call it religion. When he barks at strangers, we call it patriotism. - Edward Abbey
posted on May 3, 2004 10:58:02 PM new
Whether or not the founding fathers believed in a god or gods is not the issue. Some did, some didn't. The issue is that they wanted no truck with an official or "state" religion.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
