GOD in Washington

Agape Press ^ | 19 Aug 03 | Pat Centner

[xzins]

Feature by Pat Centner
August 19, 2003

(AgapePress) - The immensity of its size and the beauty of its ornate architecture and magnificent artwork can stop you dead in your tracks, causing you to gaze upward in absolute awe. For anyone who wonders whether God was truly significant in the formation of our nation's government, a visit to the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, is an excellent place to begin your investigation.

Indeed, in these days when government legislators, judges and misguided citizens give their all to demean God's role in American history, and cry loudly for the separation of church and state, all one need do is visit our capital city's landmarks, monuments and government buildings. Gracing their halls, doorways and walls are numerous paintings, inscriptions and plaques that overtly honor and reverence God.

The Rotunda is a beautiful example. At the heart of our government, it is called the "Sanctum Sanctorum" or "Holy of Holies," and refers to that most sacred part of the Jewish temple in the Old Testament -- the place where God was present. The enormous frescoes along the Rotunda's walls depict, among other things, Pilgrims in prayer, the baptism of Pocahontas and George Washington in prayer at Valley Forge.

A visit to the House of Representatives and Senate -- the other two main capitol buildings -- reveals noteworthy inscriptions. Above the flag in the House chamber is the inscription "In God We Trust," our national motto. This same inscription also graces the south entrance to the Senate chamber. Yet another inscription, Annuit coeptis (God has favored our undertakings), is inscribed above the east door of the Senate chamber, as well as in the legislators' private prayer room. Also in that room is an exquisite stained glass window that proclaims Psalm 16:1: "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust." It's fairly apparent that across the years, those working in government felt the need to call upon God for His wisdom and guidance.

A lesser-known plaque hangs outside the old Supreme Court room in the Capitol. It reads "What Hath God Wrought!" and recognizes Samuel F. B. Morse for his invention of the telegraph. On May 24, 1844, that Scripture -- Numbers 23:23 -- was transmitted by Morse from the old Supreme Court room to his assistant in Baltimore. Morse was obviously giving God the glory for his new invention.

Most of us, even if we haven't actually visited them, are familiar with Washington's national monuments. Most contain inscriptions and quotations revering God.

The tall, slender Washington Monument, standing sentinel above the city, has the Latin phrase Laus Deo ("Praise be to God"), inscribed on the capstone at its highest point. A unique feature of the monument is the 193 memorial stones given by every state and numerous foreign countries to honor George Washington and placed along the stairway. Some boast scripture references, such as "Holiness to the Lord" (Exodus 28), and "The Memory of the just is blessed" (Proverbs 10:7).

On the south wall of the Lincoln Memorial is the Gettysburg Address. In it our sixteenth president declares "that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom ...." The Jefferson Memorial also contains quotations that declare homage to God.

Yet another clear reverence for God is displayed in the National Archives, where the Ten Commandments are embedded in the building's entry way.

The Great Seal of the United States, housed in the Department of State building, is one more symbol of America's allegiance to God. The "obverse," or front side of the seal, is emblazoned with the bald eagle holding an olive branch and 13 arrows that we're all familiar with. The reverse side of the Great Seal is a pyramid with an eye and the words Annuit coatis -- "He has favored our undertakings."

Our nation's capital city is a veritable treasure trove of acknowledgements of and veneration to God. Let us stand firm and strong on this truth when we're challenged by those who would denounce Him.

[xzins]

It is impossible to believe the various courts' interpretation of the 1st Amendment because so much of our Founders' lives says that the co-mingling of church and state was just fine so long as no church was established over the others.

Quotations prove it, art proves it, our buildings prove it, our documents prove it.

It is not failure to see that blinds our opponents. It is a willingness to lie because the light within them is all darkness.

[Luke]

Thank-you, for the post. Indeed it is a most impressive building, ...too bad most of our elected officals will never know GOD.

[joesnuffy]

Perhaps when pagans, like those of the ACLU & People for the American Way, rip the heart out of our nation-
All these wonderfull and powerfull symbols of our heritage and foundation
will find a home safely ensconced with Judge Moore
And the great state of Alabama

[freebilly]

Time to paint over those images of Pilgrims in prayer and Washington praying at Valley Forge and paint new images of gay couples exchanging marriage vows and senior citizens holding Social Security checks in one hand and prescription drugs in the other.

[RoseofTexas]

It breaks my heart to think a nation who ONCE loved God is being FORCED out of our land by a small majority..sigh :( WE NEED TO GET GOD BACK INTO OUR HOMES, SCHOOLS, COURT HOUSES, and sad to say in our CHURCH as well!

[So Cal Rocket]

Baptism of Pocahontas - Painting in the US Capitol Building

[The Mayor]

BTTT

[So Cal Rocket]

Prayer Window - US Capitol Building

[So Cal Rocket]

George Washington in Prayer in Valley Forge - US Capitol Building

[So Cal Rocket]

Sculpture of Moses - US Supreme Court

[The Mayor]

Constantino Brumidi
Fresco
1865
Rotunda
Brumidi depicted George Washington rising to the heavens in glory, flanked by female figures representing Liberty and Victory/Fame. A rainbow arches at his feet, and thirteen maidens symbolizing the original states flank the three central figures. (The word "apotheosis" in the title means literally the raising of a person to the rank of a god, or the glorification of a person as an ideal; George Washington was honored as a national icon in the nineteenth century.

The Apotheosis of Washington

[roadcat]

I'm sick and tired of anti-God complainers saying that the Constitution clearly says we must have separation of church and state. It does not say that. They have one interpretation. The rest of us have another that is the status quo. Their flimsy interpretation must not be allowed to disolve the foundations of our nation.

‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’

Freedom of religion is not the same as freedom from religion. Their interpretation is largely drawn from a misunderstood writing by Thomas Jefferson in 1801, not from examination of the Constitution itself.

[bluelowrider57]

Reasons pour out helping Judge Roy Moore.

[beelzepug]

My family will be keeping the judge in our prayers. Taking back our country can start with one good man if enough of us support what he is doing.

[esopman]

Your response is, as the Brits would say, spot on.

These issues are ultimately spiritual, manichean and not recognized by this 'World.' Such talk is crazy to most using the vocabulary of the secular 21st Century intellectual.

But nothing has changed from the time when God was a Rabbi among us in the Levant. They lie? Surprise? As the Rabbi Y'shua said, their father is the father of all lies, the adversary, ha satan.

(If you can't guess, I can't stand liberals...)

[COBOL2Java]

The ACLU, People for the American [sic] Way, the so-called Separation of Church and State folks will do their DAMNDEST to see to it that all of these works are eventually removed from sight (pun intended with DAMNDEST)...

[comnet]

Chief Justice Moore's Poem at Rally
Monday, August 18, 2003

By Sam Kastensmidt

With thousands in attendance, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore delivered the following poem:

Our American Birthright

One nation under God was their cry and declaration,
Upon the law of Nature's God they built a mighty Nation.
For unlike mankind before them who had walked this earthen sod,
These men would never question the Sovereignty of God.
That all men were "created" was a truth "self-evident,"
To secure the rights God gave us was the role of government.
And if any form of government became destructive of this end,
It was their right, their duty, a new one to begin.

So with a firm reliance on Divine Providence for protection,
They pledged their sacred honor and sought His wise direction.
They lifted an appeal to God for all the world to see,
And declared their independence forever to be free.
I'm glad they're not here with us to see the mess we're in,
How we've given up our righteousness for a life of indulgent sin.
For when abortion isn't murder and sodomy is deemed a right,
Then evil is now called good and darkness is now called light.

While truth and law were founded on the God of all Creation,
Man now, through law, denies the truth and calls it "separation."
No longer does man see a need for God when he's in full control,
For the only truth self-evident is in the latest poll.
But with man as his own master we fail to count the cost,
Our precious freedoms vanish and our liberty is lost.
Children are told they can't pray and they teach them evolution,
When will they learn the fear of God is the only true solution?
Our schools have become the battleground while all across the land,
Christians shrug their shoulders—afraid to take a stand.

And from the grave their voices cry the victory has been won.
Just glorify the Father as did His only Son.
When your work on earth is done, and you've traveled where we've trod,
You'll leave the land we left to you, ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

[Russell Scott]

Mark 13
1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.