Last week we began this series on America’s Foundation. We laid out the Seven Principles used by our Founding Fathers to shape the original documents that established this great country. To preserve our American liberty we must depend first upon our understanding of the foundations on which this great country was built, and preserving those founding principles. Today we are going to begin to look at some of the highlights of those documents, and the true context and character of those writings. First, let’s look at the Declaration of Independence.
We celebrate the Fourth of July because of this document. On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from England. Two days later the Declaration, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was signed by all those present in unity of the colonies. On July 6, 1776, members of Congress read the document out loud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia. They rang the Liberty Bell immediately afterwards. The inscription on the top of the Liberty Bell reads: "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof." – Leviticus 25:10
John Adams, our second President, believed that Independence Day should be celebrated as a religious holiday. He stated, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity." He also wrote, "This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival….a day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."’
The Declaration is America's Birth Certificate. Unlike our current President, a signed original copy is on display for all to see. There were 56 Founding Fathers who, knowing that it could mean their death by hanging, took that pledge very seriously and signed the document, 27 of them were trained as ministers. Let’s look at this document and what it really says:
"The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
Notice in the first segment the reference to God with a capital G. In the next segment they refer to the Creator with a capital C. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
When you understand the heritage of the founding fathers it is clear evidence that they were referring to Almighty God, of the Holy Bible. It also gives us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Happiness is not a guaranteed right; it is the right to pursue. That is why many have called America "The Land of Opportunity."
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
This establishes the fact that the Government's power is granted to it by the people and if the people feel that Government becomes destructive, they can abolish it and institute new Government. The Declaration continues to list a long history of abuses and violations imposed upon them by the King of England to justify the reason for their cry for freedom. One of the items was taxation. Our forefathers were upset over a 2-3% tax. They would be appalled at today’s current taxation system.
"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
In the closing segment of the Declaration, God is referred to as Supreme Judge of the world and also referred to in concluding with the protection of Divine Providence. The men who signed it knew it could be their death warrant. All 56 men came up to the signing table grouped by the state they represented. Upon the final signature a nation was born. A nation established on Justice, Freedom, and Liberty, and a foundation of Faith in God Almighty. In the upcoming segment we will look at the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Jeff Senters
Comments
Shilling for the birthers Jeff says:
"Unlike our current President, a signed original copy is on display for all to see."
As opposed to the previous 43 Presidents who all hung their birth certificates for all to see?
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