Posted on 03/15/2002 11:03:09 AM PST by 2banana
Our nation's strength springs from founders' Christian principles
Research shows that 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians, and 27 had a theological education.
By BOB SCHEUER
In response to Bill O'Neill's Guest Opinion that our country was not founded as a religious nation, I would like to apply some facts from our nation's history.
Mr. O'Neill claims that we who believe that this country was founded on Christian principles are "wrong." While he is entitled to his opinion, consider some of the facts. Research shows that 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians, and 27 had a theological education. These men went on to establish more than 100 Bible societies.
Patrick Henry said, "It cannot be said too often or too loudly, that America was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, and not upon religion, but upon the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
If, as Mr. O'Neill states, "the Constitution . . . bans prayer in public schoolrooms," why did we take 175 years to figure that out and remove prayer in 1962?
It is often said that we don't really know the intent of the founding fathers. I beg to differ. Gouveneur Morris was the apparent author of the Constitution, a signer of it, and the most active voice at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 (speaking 173 times). In his commentaries of 1790 and 1791, Morris wrote, "Religion is the only solid basis of good morals. Therefore, education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man toward God."
Fisher Ames, the author of the First Amendment, wrote in 1801 that it would be a grave mistake to let the Bible out of the public schools.
It is not just the founders who supported Christian principles. Each branch of our government held to them. Consider the Trinity decision of the Supreme Court in 1892. After 10 years of examining hundreds of documents on the foundation of the country, they came to a unanimous decision, saying the documents "add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a religious people, a Christian nation."
Mr. O'Neill concludes that religion and government "must be free from each other lest they destroy each other." Here's what George Washington thought about the subject: "True religion offers the government its surest support."
President John Adams, another founder, said: "Our Constitution is for a moral and religious people." President John Quincy Adams said: "The highest glory of the American Revolution was that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."
President Thomas Jefferson held another job at the time he was president. He was the superintendent of schools in Washington, D.C. He required only two books to be taught in the schools: The Holy Bible and Watts' Hymnal (any Christian principles in those books?).
The first session of Congress in September of 1774 began with three hours of prayer (I wonder to whom they were praying?). The day after the Bill of Rights was passed in 1789, Congress voted to have a "day of thanksgiving and praise unto almighty God."
The House Judiciary Committee in 1854 was asked to remove religion from public affairs. After investigating for one year, the committee concluded that at the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the Amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, but not any one denomination. In this age, they said, there can be no substitute for Christianity. Benjamin Franklin, often thought of as one of the least religious founding fathers, said, "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men."
Mr. O'Neill claims that "the Constitution bans religion from all government rooms." On the contrary; government was banned from religion. That is, the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a national religion. The reason people left England was that the king was telling them how to worship God, and forcing them into a particular denomination.
Mr. O'Neill bases his opinion on a small portion of Article 6. Here is the full paragraph, including the first half which Mr. O'Neill omitted:
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." There is nothing about a "ban" on religious activity, but rather a prevention from religion as being a requirement in holding public office.
After looking at some of the facts, and not just spouting opinion, it is more than clear that this great country was indeed founded by Christian men who believed the Christian principles they held would be the strength of this new country.
Mr. O'Neill was listed in his Guest Opinion as a "student of constitutional law." I pray that he will continue to study until he actually comes across some facts.
If you take time to research the actual historic record, you will find that the evidence is not only overwhelming, but conclusive, that the United States of America was founded by Christian men on Christian principles.
Bob Scheuer, Newtown, is a retired specialty food salesman and is currently a stay-at-home dad. Thursday, March 14, 2002
-- George Washington, letter to Edward Newenham, October 20, 1792
Who was the other, if Washington was indeed not a Christian?
The change was voted down. While many founders were indeed Christians, they wanted to create a secular government.
Anybody remember the part in the Constitution about "no religious test"?
Our nation's strength springs from freedom, and respect for individual rights.
"The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles, which enjoins humility, piety and benevolence; which acknowledges in every person a brother, or a sister, and a citizen with equal rights. This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free constitutions of government..."
Really? Wow, I had no idea. I'd better quit volunteering and start raping, robbing and pillaging. I sure wouldn't want to disappoint the old Gouverenuer.
“The American nation from its first settlement at Jamestown to this hour is based upon and permeated by the principles of the Bible”
The Bible or Christianity?
At this point the Demoncrats all go back to smokin' crack.
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