A Nation Under God
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I was saddened to read the letter by Harald Steltzer (May 30) looking for an answer to whether we are a Christian country. Didn’t religious groups from around the world come to these shores for freedom to express their beliefs in the public forum?
Wasn’t this government, as established by the Founding Fathers, built on the proposition that all people are endowed by their creator with unalienable rights, and that this power comes from God to the people?
I just finished reading Newt Gingrich’s book “Rediscovering God in America.” It is filled with references to the rights and gifts to us from God. What good historical reading. The statesmen who organized this land looked to the Lord for guidance, support and wisdom. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights all show the Founding Fathers intended to forge a nation under God.
The book takes one on a walking tour of many of the historical building in our capital city, and these sites are filled with religious imagery and inscriptions.
Yes, we are a Christian nation respectful of all religions. It is time for Christians to take a stand. Why do we sit back and allow Michael Newdow to fight to remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance, or the ACLU to have crosses taken down from the veterans’ memorials in the Mojave Desert in California and Mount Soledad in San Diego, and we don’t fight back?
An aluminum capstone inscribed with the Latin “Laus Deo” was placed atop the east side of the Washington Monument. Every morning, when the sun rises over Washington, the district is greeted with “Praise be to God.”
Audrey Raasch
Aberdeen
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Comments
scotthyland 2 years, 11 months ago
Audrey, I was so encouraged by your words. I agree with you - I refuse to sit back and allow revisionists to ignore hard evidence. I would love for you to check out my book - "The Five Laws of Liberty" when it is released in July. "Remembering the Past," is the 1st Law of Liberty. Recently, AMG Publishers launched www.fivelawsofliberty.com.
If you liked Newt Gingrich’s book “Rediscovering God in America," I believe you would truly appreciate the philosophy of freedom displayed through the arguments featured in my book.
OldPilot 2 years, 11 months ago
The USA is a nation of many religions, not a "Christian" nation. Read the First Amendment
jamjam 2 years, 11 months ago
jeez, "his creator" does not imply god, its open ended, it means what ever you choose to believe. I do not believe in any gods, any super natural beings such as depicted in the bible. when people use religion and fear together to convince you that our country is degrading be skeptical of those words. If Christians want this country then I suggest they start acting like Christians. Bush is a christian and his administration killed nearly a million Iraqis. how christian is that? It's like the christian cult on bennett street, they will not turn the other cheek, they'll shoot you.
BigE 2 years, 11 months ago
Providing a clear separation of church & state. Intolerance is what people were trying to escape from. Talk about revisionist history!
GoldenDreams 2 years, 11 months ago
Audrey, we are not a Christian nation. If you think we are, then I'll ask you this question, what makes a nation a Christian nation? In other words, what's a Christian? Now there's a loaded question! If so-called Christians can't agree on what constitutes Christianity, then how can we logically call ourselves a Christian nation? Do you see my point? Here's another bombshell: many of the founding fathers were not Christians in the traditional sense, but believers in God. Some were naturalists, some deists, and some were traditional church-goers. They believed in a Creator, but perhaps not in the Creator as you visualize. I am actually more on the same page as you are, but I also know my history, and I'm a realist. We are not a Christian nation, at least not in the Biblical sense.
Sally244 2 years, 11 months ago
Rights and gifts from god? How self important can you be? Looking to the Lord for guidance can also be "let me interpret the bible to support my views". I'm sure it gives people great comfort to be told what to believe but those of us who choose to think for ourselves have a much better understanding of just who we are in this world. The moment Bush called our induction into the war "A Crusade" he lowered America to the level of the Teliban and their Jihad. I would like to think America was a forward thinking country and didn't bury it's head in the doctrine of make believe.
GoldenDreams 2 years, 11 months ago
Sally244 and jamjam, you are both right on. George W Bush called himself a devout Christian and look at the mess he made. How many of our soldiers are dead, and for what? Do you feel any safer? How many million Iraquis, too? It's a shame. Also, Sally 244, look at the post above yours entitled "Nothing is done to protect our borders." Someone actually advocated killing a person and sending the family back to Mexico to tell the story as a deterrent. I had to respond to that one!
Sally244 2 years, 11 months ago
GoldenDreams, check out my comments on the article "nothing is done to protect Borders" http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/jun/13/nothing-done-protect-borders/#comments
aveteran 2 years, 11 months ago
"we are a Christian nation respectful of all religions"
Yeah right. Your letter is just chock-full of respect for all religions. Literally oozing respect for atheists who stand up for THEIR First Amendment rights. News flash: The Constitution and Bill of Rights do not show ANY intent "to forge a nation under God". "God" is NOT EVEN MENTIONED in those documents. As for the Declaration, there is no evidence of any such intent, either. Nor is it even a governing legal document.
GoldenDreams 2 years, 11 months ago
Sally244, well done. It's nice to read a voice of sanity on these boards. I actually taught a student whose mom had to go back to Mexico and the family was torn up and heart-broken. There's a very human side of immigration that most people are missing. It's a very complex issue that can be worked out by willing parties. Thanks for your comments.
PatriotDream 2 years, 11 months ago
"I actually taught a student whose mom had to go back to Mexico and the family was torn up and heart-broken."
Boo-hoo-hoo. If they'd obeyed the law they wouldn't have had the problem.
newstime 2 years, 11 months ago
Ask Rev. Billy Graham and he will happy to explain it all to you. God bless!
ButSeriously 2 years, 11 months ago
Arguing over intent vs institution is kind of pointless here. The facts are that the use of "God" is found all throughout our history as Americans. If the question is, "Did the founding fathers intend on having the country controlled by Christian ideals?", then the answer is 'No'. They also NEVER intended on this much Federal involvement. As a matter of fact, until the Civil War, the rights to make decisions solely belonged to the individual state. I digress.
If the question is, "Were the founding fathers Christians and did they utilize their beliefs when creating the foundation of this nation?", the answer is 'Yes'. Does that mean that we need to re-word everything that was written to remove the religious tones and language from our history? No! They allowed for religious tolerance in the constitution.
I applaud Atheists. It requires more faith to believe that there isn't a God and that "life" after death is decay rather than believing in a forgiving God and Heaven. I'd prefer to be incorrect and believe in God than incorrect and not believe in Him.
@GoldenDreams I'm not republican, but when people chastise President Bush for his actions in the war, it bothers me. We were attacked on our own soil and forced to respond. Remember, President Bush wasn't the President that started this battle with Bin Laden.
"I got closer to killing him than anybody has gotten since. And if I were still president, we'd have more than 20,000 troops there trying to kill him," Clinton said, referring to Afghanistan.
War sucks and, thank God, most nations suck at it. http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_more_soldiers_die_during_bill_clintons.html
RmeMP 2 years, 11 months ago
@patriotdream-
I don't know where you came from, but I think I'm starting to like your opinions!
PatriotDream 2 years, 11 months ago
RmeMP, glad to meet another kindred spirit.
PatriotDream 2 years, 11 months ago
jimt: typical liberal elitist. Everyone but you is ignorant, is that it? Guess like all liberals, you can't try and make a point without talking down to people. Which is why liberalism is bound to fail. You can't fool all of the people all of the time.
GoldenDreams 2 years, 11 months ago
ButSeriously, I respect your point of view, but not Bush's. I supported his foray into Afghanistan to catch Bin Laden, but not Iraq. There was no intelligence or reason for us to go into Iraq, except that Bush was trying to finish the job his father didn't.
PatriotDream, your comments are very cruel, especially about children. It is fine for you to disagree, but you don't need to make fun of a hurting child. There is an old adage, and it is from the Bible, you will reap what you sow.
PatriotDream 2 years, 11 months ago
Ever notice how the libs always trot out the poor little cheeldren to use as human shields when they're losing an argument?
It's the parent who came here illegally who created the pain when she got caught, not me, cupcake.
GoldenDreams 2 years, 11 months ago
PatriotDream, actually the parent was not here illegally. There was a problem in the paperwork and she went home to resolve it. Did I ever say you created pain? And why call me cupcake? Is that an adult thing to do? Why can't you have a civil discussion? On that note, I'll bid you goodnight. Give some thought to what I said.
jamjam 2 years, 11 months ago
nice Ed,very nice.
OldSpook 2 years, 11 months ago
PatriotDream,
Thank you for some excellent points. I may not agree with the letter of your writing, but I certainly agree with the spirit of your writings. Just out of curiosity, anyone ever notice how the progressives sue in court to make the people of this country accept almost any culture, almost any religion and almost any lifestyle CHOICE? And aren't these the same progressives that yell the loudest at the mere expression of Christianity that we're infringing on their rights?
Oh yea, and if Federal laws break families apart because these families choose not to obey Federal laws I really don't care. They are entitled to leave as a family but don't sit there and complain that it's not their fault. They knew our laws. They knew the risks. If these fine people will do the paperwork and follow procedures then they are certainly entitled to immigrate, just as my grandparents did.
nothingspecial 2 years, 11 months ago
I think when our nation was founded it was a majority Christian nation, founded on the basis of Judeo-Christian values. I think it is still a nation with a majority of Christians, but with highly vocal groups who are not in the majority, fighting to change or reject the Judeo-Christian values for a great many reasons. As one of the few groups in America willing to take a stand for one best way of living and one set of values, Christians are going to be hated and called bigots no matter how loving and polite they really are. I, myself side with Audrey and with George Bush.
teufelhunden 2 years, 11 months ago
May God have mercy on us all. We are to obey His commandments.
aveteran 2 years, 11 months ago
Oldspook wrote: "Just out of curiosity, anyone ever notice how the progressives sue in court to make the people of this country accept almost any culture, almost any religion and almost any lifestyle CHOICE?"
That's right. CIVILIZED people take their grievances to court. Those citizens who make the LIFESTYLE CHOICE to be Christian are the ones who most often turn to violence to force their views on others.
You don't have to accept someone else's lifestyle. But you have NO right or privilege to prevent them from exercising their right to their own decisions and beliefs.
KarenH 2 years, 11 months ago
Re-aveteran not sure who you are referring to in saying that "most often Christians are the ones who turn to violence to force their views on others"? When I read the news the majority of violence that I am seeing is from Muslim extremists who also hate Christians and everyone who is not Muslim.
nnb 2 years, 11 months ago
Our founding fathers went out of their way not to make this a Christian country. Some were Christians, and others were not. John Adams was not a Christian, but acknowledged that if the beliefs of Christians could guide lawmaking for the common good, then our laws could reflect that.
Demographics can change. If this country were created as a Christian country because the majority of settlers were Christian, then what happens several hundred years later when the majority of the population is Muslim, for instance?
The founders decided wisely to leave religion out of government.
nnb 2 years, 11 months ago
Regarding politics; I recommend befriending someone whose point of view is different than yours. Liberals/Conservatives, stop reading your own media and don't just surround yourselves with like-minded people.
Take some time to read and hear the opposite point of view. Leave anger out of it, as you might find some common ground. I find it hard to believe that someone can agree on "every" point with any politician; or disagree on "every" point with any politician.
A lot of people had wholesale hatred for George W., but he did way more for the erradication of AIDS in Africa than anyone before him (I've heard the "abstinence only" myth).
There's a lot of wholesale hatred for Obama, but he is adamant about gov't being taken away from corporate America and given back to the American people (daunting task, I know).
Not all conservatives are "narrow-minded, Bible-thumping hicks", and not all liberals are "elitist hippies".
nnb 2 years, 11 months ago
For the record, I am a conservative Christian.
Niether conservatives nor liberals have a monopoly on intolerance.
I have often addressed my athiest friends with these words:
If I'm wrong about my faith; then when I die, I'll never know that I was wrong. However, if you are wrong; then when you die, you will certainly know you were wrong.
Live with integrity and reserve judgement on others, whether with or without Christian faith.
TinMan 2 years, 11 months ago
"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." -George Washington
TinMan 2 years, 11 months ago
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." - Abraham Lincoln
OldSpook 2 years, 11 months ago
TinMan, thanks for those reminders.
jamjam 2 years, 11 months ago
the quotes reflect opinions, not policy.
JoeGarrison 2 years, 11 months ago
Any research will show that the reasons this nation was so that anyone religious or not could be free to do as their conscience saw fit. It is also true that the Christian faith is one that liberates the soul and allows for true love and compassion on all who come in contact with it. Nations who have a tradition demographically of being of Christian background do have better economies and human rights records than others who may be more secular in background. Bottom line: Freedom is in the heart of all of us. A true nation of liberty will never force individuals to choose one religion over another, but the same nation will also never discriminate against a religion because it just happens to be the majority or minority faith of the nations masses.
Woody 2 years, 11 months ago
Its the buddhist in you, it's the pagan in me Its the muslim in him, she's catholic aint she? Its the born again look it's the wasp and the jew Tell me what's going on, I aint gotta clue -Jimmy Buffett
The intolerance never ceases to amaze me! You are all fruitcakes.
OldSpook 2 years, 11 months ago
And I find your lack of tolerance for intolerance to be intolerable!
coffecreme 2 years, 11 months ago
OS... I may not always agree with you but you crack me up!
teufelhunden 2 years, 11 months ago
Lost souls...
aveteran 2 years, 11 months ago
KarenH, are you blaming anti-abortion terrorism on Muslims? I don't think that Salvi, Hill, Kopp, or Roeder were Muslims. Anti-abortion murders, bombings, arson, vandalism, and assault are overwhelmingly perpetrated by Christians. Nor Tim McVeigh. Or Eric Rudolph. Two major terrorist attacks (OK City, Olympic bombing) conducted by Christians. Please, get your facts straight before you pop off.
nothingspecial 2 years, 11 months ago
Aveteran, come on, are you going to label all Christians according to a few anti-abortion lunatics? Tim McVeigh a Christian? Does anyone on Earth but a few sad morons agree with or condone what any of them did including Christians? Can you pull up another handful of violent "Christians" to try to convince us some more? I suspect there's one fact lurking out there - you've got some abnormal issues with Christians.
BigE 2 years, 11 months ago
How 'bout... Pope Alexander II, Pope Gregory VII, Pope Urban II.
I think the crusades were particularly violent.
aveteran 2 years, 11 months ago
Nothing, are you going to label all Muslims according to a few terrorists?
Have you never heard of the Christian Identity and other Christian militia/terrorist groups? The Army of God? The KKK? YOU are the one who has abnormal issues with Muslims.
ButSeriously 2 years, 11 months ago
@ aveteran - two wrongs make a right?
The reality is that violence is something that is unavoidable for mankind as a whole. Religion seems to amplify that as it is a very personal subject and the faith that it requires is even more personal. Name a religion and I'll outline to you the many times that, as a whole, that religion has entered into violence. Even Gandhi said that it's better to be violent if violence is in your heart than to hide it due to weakness. Paraphrased obviously. Realistically, NONE of those religions actually encourage violence. It's the flawed men that claim those religions that justify violence by twisting their own religion.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." —Matthew 5:38-42, NIV
"..Take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that ye may learn wisdom."
— al-An'am 6:151
nothingspecial 2 years, 11 months ago
aveteran, I'm saying you can't lump all religions in with this muslim craziness - there is no comparison between the two. It is not just a few and there is a widespread, disturbing complancency by muslim nations around the world about what the "radical muslims" are doing.