-Judges, legislators, and executive officers have consistently pledged under oath— "So help me God" —to uphold the Constitution.
tpaine:"But judges must acknowledge our constitution, or they get fired."
Yes, they do, and they can also acknowlege God. That was the question Mark Prior repeatedly asked Moore, when he was cross-examining him, whether he would continue to acknowlege God. But you don't think a judge can do both, huh?
But you do like case law, right?
Well, here’s a quote to consider :
"The institutions of our society are founded on the belief that there is an authority higher than the authority of the State; that there is a moral law which the State is powerless to alter; that the individual possesses rights, conferred by the Creator which government must respect."
"The Declaration of Independence stated the now familiar theme: "We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
-"And the body of the Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights enshrined these principles."
- Justice William O. Douglas of the United States Supreme Court in the 1961 case of McGowan vs. Maryland.
tpaine:"We should all be cautious, as were the framers, -- to keep religion out of politics.. They knew first hand of the dangers."
OK...Let's ask Samuel Adams about this:
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone all men ought to be obedient; He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious Eye beholds his Subjects assuming that freedom of thought, and dignity of self direction, which He bestowed upon them. From the rising to the setting Sun, may his Kingdom come."
~ Samuel Adams August 1, 1776, on the steps of the Philadelphia Statehouse, where he delivered a speech before the formal signing of The Declaration of Independence.
You probably don’t care, but here’s what actually is on the donated (NO taxpayer funds) monument :
- The monument depicts the moral foundation of law in America, and bears excerpts from the text of the "Ten Commandments" of God. The monument also bears quotes from: the Declaration of Independence ("Laws of Nature and of Nature's God"); our National Motto ("In God We Trust"); the Pledge of Allegiance ("One Nation Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for All"); and the Judiciary Act of 1789 ("So Help Me God").
FRONT PANEL:
“The inclusion of God in our pledge therefore would further acknowledge the dependence of our people and our government upon the moral directions of the Creator.” —Legislative History
"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." —Pledge of Allegiance, 1954
"Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is divine."— James Wilson
"And 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? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? — Thomas Jefferson
LEFT SIDE PANEL:
“Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?” — George Washington
'So help me God.' — Judiciary Act of 1789
“The greater part of evidence will always consist of the testimony of witnesses. This testimony is given under those solemn obligations which an appeal to the God of Truth impose; and if oaths should cease to be held sacred, our dearest and most valuable rights would become insecure.”—John Jay
BACK PANEL:
“We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama. “— Constitution of Alabama
In God we trust. —National Motto 1956
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. —National Anthem
RIGHT SIDE PANEL:
“The laws of nature are the laws of God; whose authority can be superseded by no power on earth.” —George Mason 1772
“Laws of nature and of nature's God” — Declaration of Independence 1776
“The transcendent law of nature and of nature's God, which declares that the safety and happiness of society are the objects at which all political institutions aim, and to which all such institutions must be sacrificed.” — James Madison
“This law of nature, being co-eval with mankind and dictated by God Himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times: no human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; …upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation, depend all human laws; that is to say, no human laws should be suffered to contradict these.” — William Blackstone
