gondramB:
I like Clarence Thomas' take on this during his confirmation hearing. He said he believes in natural law, as a Christian, but he recognizes the Constitution as the only basis of American Federal law.
Betty Boop:
Yes, I like that, too. It's a truthful answer, albeit a rather artful one: For it's silent on the basis of this "only basis" of American law. Unless you think the Constitution just magically popped into existence out of a pure nothing....
Actually it is the brainchild of classically educated, self-identified men of God.
Sure most of the founders were 'men of God', but they had a real respect for the tendency of religious establishments to grab power, and drafted the Constitution to prevent exactly that.
Legislators were forbidden to write laws "respecting an establishment of religion" -- while protecting its free exercise. -- And no religious test could be required as "Qualification to any Office or public Trust" in the USA.
Our founders had seen enough of state sanctioned men of God, who attempted to rule as if they had the power of God.
Indeed, tpaine -- they had seen enuf of "the divine right of kings." The DoI is full of complaints against royal privilege/abuse. Which is why, in our system, the people are nominally sovereign not, say, the president.
Thanks for the great essay/post! Not much to disagree with there! (Are you surprised? :^) )