The path to happiness may indeed lie through justice and charity, but the Christian tradition is that making things like “charity” compulsory ... isn’t really charity.
What the Declaration of independence and Constitution do is enshrine the ability of the individual to make such choices for themselves. Which is very much in keeping with the New Testament and Christ’s teachings on how to reach Salvation.
the path to happiness . . . ?
Since when does Jesus tell us that pursuing happiness is the priority. The priority is to seek Jesus, and to serve Him, even if that leads to the cross.
so what you are saying is that salvation can be obtained through good works and the giving of money? if so please give me chapter and verse on that because the last time i checked the bible said that salvation was by faith through grace and not of works lest any man should boast and if one has to work for salvation then it is not a gift is it? salvation can only be obtained by someone accepting what Jesus did on the cross for us and accepting that by faith as the only payment acceptable in GOD’S eyes to make us worthy to enter heaven. all our good works outside of the salvation GOD offers us is seen as filthy rags in HIS sight.