[RonF]

Although the 4^th of July commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it's rather ironic that nobody signed it that day. Most of the signers signed it on July 2^nd, and others signed it well after. The Fourth of July is when the Declaration was publicly proclaimed, but IIRC, no one actually signed it that day.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Most of the signers signed it on July 2nd, and others signed it well after.

All the more reason to stretch out the fireworks!

[billbears]

And you would be right which makes one wonder why we even bother with the 4th of July. Although I am curious as to Chuck's POV on the Declaration itself.

It was, and still is, nothing more than a declaration of secession from the British Empire. Which begs the question, how were the Framers exercising 'patriotism' by seceding from the Empire? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they did (sometimes) but if we are to hold ourselves to this standard, shouldn't we also hold most other instances to this? The Framers were not revolting over religion or severe oppression. One of the major causes was taxation (compared to today that level of taxation would be welcome). But they were revolting from their country. These United States did not exist at the time.

So if we hold the Framers to the same standard as Chuck asks us to have, how could their actions be considered 'Christian' or 'patriotic'? Could it be the Bible (even in Romans 13) isn't meant to apply the way so many 'conservatives' want it to apply? Could it be the Bible never considered patriotism in any form to be a Christian trait?

If you're patriotic that's great. But there is more than one way to be patriotic. Standing up against what one sees as an injustice or wrong action by the State then is just as patriotic as the one out there waving the flag until their hand falls off.

The former was illustrated a century ago by the president of Amherst College. He said that the nation had achieved the “true American union, that sort of union which makes every patriot a Christian and every Christian a patriot.” This form of civil religion is supported by politicians who welcome it as a prop for the state, and by Christians who see it as enshrining the fulfillment of the vision of the early pilgrims.

Good to see Chuck somewhat refutes what too many Republicans ardently advocate.

[usapatriot28]

Although the 4th of July commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it's rather ironic that nobody signed it that day. Most of the signers signed it on July 2nd, and others signed it well after. The Fourth of July is when the Declaration was publicly proclaimed, but IIRC, no one actually signed it that day.

FALSE!! On July 2nd, 1776 the Continental Congress agreed to declare independence, the Lee Resolution. On July 4th, they finalized revisions and agreement on Jefferson's draft of the Declaration. It was signed by John Hancock and Charles Thomson (as President and Secretary of the Congress), that day. The rest of the Congress did not sign until August 2nd in most cases although some would not sign for months.

[nhbob1]

You are correct that it was not signed on that day. It was voted on and approved on July 4th, but not signed till a few days after. The first public reading of it was on July 8th (I think) and read to Washington’s army in New York on the 9th.