[LizardQueen]

As a political right, then, the right to the pursuit of happiness is a right to be free from a government that commands us - or just allows us - to do what God forbids, or that forbids us to do what God commands, or just allows.

The article derails right here.
The double negative here can be translated into "the right to the pursuit of happiness means we must have a gov't that makes us do what God commands". You've just attempted to argue for a theocracy.

Bzzzt. Thanks for playing.

LQ

[Tailgunner Joe]

There is no liberty without morality.

[marktwain]

The double negative here can be translated into "the right to the pursuit of happiness means we must have a gov't that makes us do what God commands". You've just attempted to argue for a theocracy.

You nailed it, LQ. The "arguments" stated above are exactly the same as those used by the mullahs in Iran, or the Taliban in Afghanistan.

This is one of the reasons that Jefferson used "Natures God" and not any single religions "god" in the Declaration of Independence, and why the Constitution forbids the establishment of a State religion in the Bill of Rights.

[Matchett-PI]

"You've just attempted to argue for a theocracy."

What are John Adams and James Madison "arguing" for?

"We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was written for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other." ~ John Adams

James Madison: "... We have staked the future ...upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded."