June 2015 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

June 2015Slide2

Over the course of the next two weeks, this series is intended to enable the audience to answer these three questions

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state?

Note: We will be presenting documented facts, documents, and quotes. We will leave it to the

group to

draw

their

own conclusions on these three questions Slide3

Our FoundationSlide4

16

th

Century England

The Monarchy controlled religious “freedom” by prescribing the Church of England was the rule of law. As Monarchs came and went, the Church of England moved towards & away from the Roman Catholic Church.

1 American Heritage, Hillsdale College Press, p.3

English law prohibited so called “Dissenters” or “Non-Conformers” from worshipping in a venue other than the Church of England, and these dissidents were persecuted to varying degrees depending upon the proclivities of the reigning monarch and local authorities.

1Slide5

An economic malaise hit the country and their was little opportunity for all areas of the economic system. Food was in short supply creating rampant unemployment and desperation. Combined with forced religion, the situation for Christians was becoming dire.

Groups that wanted to leave this land of persecution included: Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics.

The Pilgrims come to AmericaSlide6

In the

name of God

, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the

Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, etc.Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and advancements of the

Christian faith

and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the

presence of God

, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, 1620

Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620Slide7

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles

?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state? Slide8

John Winthrop (1588 – 1649), the first governor of Massachusetts wrote “A Model of Christian Charity” in 1630 as he led 1,100 Puritans to settle around present-day Boston.

(10 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock)

“A Model of Christian Charity”

God Almighty in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.

The Reason hereof:

First to hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of His power in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole, and the glory of His greatness, that as it is the glory of princes to have many officers, so this great king will have many stewards, counting himself more honored in dispensing his gifts to man by man, than if he did it by his own immediate hands.Slide9

“A Model of Christian Charity”

Secondly, that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of his Spirit: first upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against and shake off their yoke. Secondly, in the regenerate, in exercising His graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance etc., and in the poor and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience etc.

Thirdly, that every man might have need of others, and from hence they might be all knit more nearly together in the bonds of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that no man is made more honorable than another or more wealthy etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the glory of his Creator and the common good of the creature, man. Therefore God still reserves the property of these gifts to Himself as Ezek. 16:17, He there calls wealth, His gold and His silver, and Prov. 3:9, He claims their service as His due, "Honor the Lord with thy riches," etc. --- All men being thus (by divine providence) ranked into two sorts, rich and poor; under the first are comprehended all such as are able to live comfortably by their own means duly improved; and all others are poor according to the former distribution.

R

eferences

the Holy Bible 37 more times:Slide10

Colony / State Constitutions

Maryland

:

That

, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty

Delaware:

ART

. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit: 

" I, A B. will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, submit to its constitution and laws, and do no act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be prejudiced." 

And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: 

" I, A B. do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."  And all officers shall also take an oath of office. 

Massachusetts wasn’t the only colony to have it’s foundation and early leaders seeking and influenced by God (Yahweh) Slide11

Pennsylvania: And

each member, before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration,

viz

: I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of the universe, the

rewarder

of the good and the punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration. 

And

no further or other religious test shall ever hereafter be required of any civil officer or magistrate in this State. 

North

Carolina:

XXXII

. That no person, who shall deny the being of God or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.

Virginia

:

SEC

. 16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other. Slide12

 Connecticut:

T

HE

4th day of the 4th month, called June, 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a general meeting, to consult about settling civil government, according to GOD, and the nomination of persons that might be found, by consent of all, fittest in all respects for the foundation work of a church, which was intended to be gathered in Quinipiack

. After solemn invocation of the name of GOD, in prayer for the presence and help of his spirit and grace, in those weighty businesses, they were reminded of the business where about they met, (viz.) for the establishment of such civil order as might be most pleasing unto GOD, and for the choosing the fittest men for the foundation work of a church to be gathered. For the better enabling them to discern the mind of GOD, and to agree accordingly concerning the establishment of civil order,

Query III. THOSE who have desired to be received as free planters, and are settled in the plantation, with a purpose, resolution and desire, that they may be admitted into church fellowship, according to CHRIST, as soon as GOD shall fit them "hereunto, were desired to express it by holding up hands

That magistrates should be men fearing GOD. 2. That the church is the company where, ordinarily, such men may be expected. 3. That they that choose them ought to be men fearing GODSlide13

New Jersey:

AXVIII

. That no person shall ever, within this Colony, be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner, agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; nor, under any presence whatever, be compelled to attend any place of worship, contrary to his own faith and judgment; nor shall any person, within this

Colony …

XIX

. That there shall be no establishment of any one religious sect in this Province, in preference to another; and that no Protestant inhabitant of this Colony shall be denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles; but that all persons, professing a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect. who shall demean themselves peaceably under the government, as hereby established, shall be capable of being elected into any office of profit or trust, or being a member of either branch of the Legislature, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity, enjoyed by others their fellow subjects.

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

THE STATE OF GEORGIA

THE

STATE OF NEW YORK

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

The

state of

Massachusetts

THE

STATE OF NEW

HAMPSHIRE

THE STATE OF

VERMONT

THE STATE OF

KENTUCKY

THE STATE OF

TENNESSEE

The state of Ohio 

THE

STATE OF LOUISIANA

The state of

Indiana

Other ExamplesSlide14

Nebraska 1875All

persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own

consciences …

it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and to encourage schools and the means of instruction

.

Last but certainly not leastSlide15

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles

?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state?

What is the distinction between religion and denomination to the Founding Fathers?

To what degree did the Founding Fathers mean the Christian Faith when referring to religion?Slide16

Our Educational HeritageSlide17

Blackstone

had a tremendous impact on the American colonies. Future lawyers were trained under the tutelage of this textbook. People had access to these volumes and could grasp the importance and the outworking of common law as it had developed over the centuries. The fact that God is ultimately the source of just law and that all men are under law was ingrained into their thinking.

Charles Finney is known as being a great preacher and evangelist but before he was in ministry he was an attorney. In studying the law and in studying Blackstone’s commentary, Finney saw so many Scripture references that he bought a Bible. That began Finney’s process of studying Scripture. In studying Blackstone, he read so much of the Bible that he became a Christian and received his call to the ministry and became the great preacher, evangelist & leader of America’s Second Great Awakening of the 1800s.

Blackstone’s Commentary on the LawSlide18

New England Primer

The New England Primer

was the first textbook published in the 13 colonies, and it was the most prevalent primer in the 18th century, and was still influential into the 19th century.Slide19

An Alphabet of Lessons for YouthA

wise

son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

B etter is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure & trouble therewith. C ome

unto Christ all ye that labor and are heavy laden and he will give you rest

.

D

o not the abominable thing which I hate

saith

the Lord. 

E

xcept

a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

F

oolishness

is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 

G

odliness

is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. 

H

OLINESS becomes GOD's house forever. 

I

t is good for me to draw near unto GOD. 

K

eep

thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.  

L

iars

shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. 

M

any are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD

delivereth

them out of them all. 

N

ow is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. O

ut of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. P ray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly. Q uit

you like men, be strong, stand fast in the faith. R emember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. S eest thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool than of him. 

T rust in God at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him. U pon the wicked, God shall rain an horrible tempest. W

o to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him. EXhort one another daily while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened thro' the deceitfulness of sin.  Y oung men ye have overcome the wicked one. 

Z eal hath consumed me, because thy enemies have forgotten the word of God. Slide20

Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate where into man fell ? A. The sinfulness of that estate where into man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, & the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin, together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God's elect, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures, and one person forever.

Q. 5. Are there more Gods then one ?

A. There is but ONE only, the living and true GOD.

Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death ?

A. The souls of

believers

are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies being still united to Christ do rest in their graves 'till the resurrection.

Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection ?

A. At the resurrection believers being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.

New England PrimerSlide21

Q. 45. Which is the first commandment ?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.

Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment ?

A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God, to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment ?

A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone.

Q. 48. What are we especially taught by these words

(before me)

in the first commandment ?

A. These words

(before me)

in the first commandment, teach us, that God who seeth all things, taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God.

New England PrimerSlide22

Harvard, Yale, and Princeton

Harvard 1646

“Rules and Precepts adopted in 1646 included the following essentials: “Every one shall consider the main end of his life and studies to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life. Seeing the Lord giveth wisdom, every one shall seriously by prayer in secret seek wisdom of Him. Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that they be ready to give an account of their proficiency therein, both in theoretical observations of languages and logic, and in practical and spiritual

truths

Yale 1701:

By

the turn of the century Christians in the Connecticut region launched Yale as an alternative to Harvard. Many thought Harvard too far away and too expensive,

Princeton 1746: S

prang

up in part from the impact of the First Great Awakening. It also retained its evangelical vigor longer than any other Ivy League

school.

Princeton’s crest still says “

Dei sub

numine

viget

,

” Latin for “Under God she flourishes.” Slide23

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state? Slide24

Our Founding FathersSlide25

Signing the Declaration of Independence … Drafted by Thomas Jefferson on July 4

th

, 1776 signed by 56 delegates on August 2

nd

, 1776Slide26

Leviticus 20:10Slide27

Our Founding Fathers … Constitutional Convention 1787

The 55 delegates who participated in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 are regarded as the Founding Fathers because it is this group that actually debated, drafted and signed the U.S. Constitution. Slide28

What influenced them to create a government unlike any other in the world at that time?

Let’s see what they had to say In their own words …. Slide29

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." 

--

History of the United States of America

, Vol. II, p. 229.

John Hancock

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the First Governor of MassachusettsSlide30

Patrick Henry

Ratifier of the US Constitution

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me,

give me liberty or give me death

!”

--March 23, 1775

"The Bible ... is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed." 

--

Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry

, p. 402.

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." 

--

The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia

, p. iii.

Slide31

John WitherspoonSigner of the Declaration of Independence, Clergyman and President of Princeton University

"While we give praise to God, the Supreme Disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh ... If your cause is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts.

What follows from this? That He is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind.”

"Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy of his country." 

--Sermon at Princeton University, "The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men," May 17, 1776.Slide32

Alexander Hamilton

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man." 

--

Famous American Statesmen

, p. 126.Slide33

Benjamin FranklinSigner of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution

"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.”

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as He left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see.”

“…that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure." 

--Benjamin Franklin wrote this in a letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale University on March 9, 1790.

“

Introduce into public affairs the principles of Christianity and it will change the face of the world.”

--Benjamin Franklin, 1774Slide34

John Jay

First

Chief Justice and the most influential writer of the constitution:

“

Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.

We need to elect Christians to office if we want to have righteous men making good laws to rule our country

.”

"In forming and settling my belief relative to the doctrines of Christianity, I adopted no articles from creeds but such only as, on careful examination, I found to be confirmed by the Bible." 

--

American Statesman Series

, p. 360.Slide35

John JayPresident of the American Bible Society

"By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.”

"The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve." 

--

In God We Trust—The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers

, p. 379.Slide36

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." 

--

The Writings of Washington

, pp. 342-343.Slide37

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports

.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property,

for

George Washington

Farewell Address 1796

reputation, for life, in the sense of religious

obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of

justice? And

let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle

.” Slide38

John Adams

2

nd

U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a utopia, what a Paradise would this region be." 

--

Diary and Autobiography of John Adams

, Vol. III, p. 9.

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever." 

--Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.Slide39

Thomas Jefferson

3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." 

--

Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII

, p. 237.Slide40

"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ." 

--

America's Providential History

 by Stephen K. McDowell, p. 93.

James Madison

4

th

President of the United StatesSlide41

John Quincy Adams6

th

President of the United States

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this… it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

"The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their address, or by me in my answer. And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity”

"Now I will avow, that I then believe, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System." 

-- Excerpt from a letter to Thomas Jefferson that Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813.Slide42

Benjamin Rush, M.D.

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!" 

--

The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush

, pp. 165-166.

"Christianity is the only true and perfect religion, and that in proportion as mankind adopts its principles and obeys its precepts, they will be wise and happy." 

--

Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical

, published in 1798 called

“The Defense of the Bible as a school book”.Slide43

Benjamin Rush, M.D.

"I know there is an objection among many people to teaching children doctrines of any kind, because they are liable to be controverted. But let us not be wiser than our Maker.”

"If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into all the world would have been unnecessary. The perfect morality of the gospel rests upon the doctrine which, though often controverted has never been refuted: I mean the vicarious life and death of the Son of God."

--

Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical

, published in 1798.

“Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize an undercover dictatorship. To restrict the art of the healing to one class of men, and deny equal privilege to others, will be to constitute the Bastille of medical science. All such laws are un-American and despotic, and have no place in a Republic. The Constitution of this Republic should make special privilege for medical freedom as well as religious freedom.”Slide44

Alexis de Touqueville

French Statesman, historian and philosopher

"The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.”

"There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America.”

“The sects that exist in the United States are innumerable. They all differ in respect to the worship which is due to the Creator; but they all agree in respect to the duties which are due from man to man. Each sect adores the Deity in its own peculiar manner, but all sects preach the same moral law in the name of God. Moreover, all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is everywhere the same.”Slide45

Alexis de Touqueville

" I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there….

…Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”Slide46

"I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ." 

--

The Writings of Thomas Jefferson

, p. 385.

"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” 

--Thomas Jefferson in a l

etter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, 1800Slide47

The House and the Senate would discuss what the bible said and use its ideas to make law. The idea of three branches of government originated with John Locke in his article called

Two Treaties of Government.

The founding fathers substantiated the idea for:

separation of powers from Jeremiah 17:9:

“The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse — who can understand it?”

They found mention of the three branches of government in Isaiah 33:22

:

“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler, the Lord is our king; He will save us.”

They found the idea of tax exemption for churches in Ezra 7:24

:

“You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.”

They found the idea of a Republican government in Exodus 18:21:

“You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ”Slide48

The Bible was important to our founding fathers.

Out of fifteen thousand samples of their writings that University of Houston professors collected, they found:

3,154 of those had a significant impact on our constitution

Of those writings, they found that the bible was quoted sixteen times more than any other source

94% of the quotes were based on the bible

34% came directly out of the bible

60% used the bible to arrive at their conclusionSlide49

Washington Monument

Construction began in 1848, completed in 1884

(construction hiatus during 1856-1876)

Officially dedicated on February 21, 1885

Open to the public on October 9, 1888

Stands 555’, 5 1/8” tall

Capstone includes the saying “

Laus

Deo

” (Latin for “Praise be to God”)Slide50

Monument to the Forefathers

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Construction began in 1859, completed in 1889

Largest free-standing granite monument in the world

Featured in the film “Monumental”

The monument features five figures representing:

Faith (top) – holding the Holy Bible

Morality – holding the Ten Commandments and the scrolls of Revelation

Law

Education

LibertySlide51

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state? Slide52

The truth about the phrase “Separation of Church and State”Slide53

1796 – Funckle

vs.

Winemiller

- The Danbury Baptists Association of Connecticut did not want a state church The

courts stated: “In our form of government the Christian religion is the established religion and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing.”

Notice who sent the letter (Danbury Baptists) and the subject (state church or denomination)Slide54

In 1801 the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson because they had heard a rumor that the Congregationalist denomination was going to be made the national denomination. On January 1, 1802, Jefferson wrote back that there was no basis for their fear. In his letter he

wrote:

“

Gentlemen,

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise

thereof,

thus

building a wall of separation between Church & State

. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect &

esteem

.”

The Truth about the Separation of Church and State

Where it came from … Note it is not in the constitutionSlide55

“If the people, during the Revolution, or had they any suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity that revolution would have been strangled in its cradle. At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, just not by any one sect. The Founders of the Constitution were Christians and they expected it would be so for their descendents. They stated, ”The great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrine and divine truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Nations are accountable to God. The founding fathers said, “As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be punished in this. By an inevitable chain of cause and effect, providence punishes national sins by national calamities.” When a nation leaves God, God deals with them immediately. Hence, moral decay brings violent crimes, teen pregnancies, divorce, abortions, and etc. When wicked men rule, the nation

suffers”

- House

Judiciary committee

March

27, 1854

Thomas Jefferson addressed those Danbury Baptist. He said that the first amendment has erected a wall between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall. It keeps the government from running the church and Christian principles will always stay in government. The First National Church never happened and Jefferson’s writing was put away until 1853. Today, we only hear half of this statement, that is: the separation of church and state.

The Truth about the Separation of Church and State

When asked to comment on the role of Christianity in US government, the House Judiciary committee wrote this on March 27

th

1854

Note:

This

is 52 years after Thomas Jefferson’s lette

rSlide56

The 1st

amendment of the constitution of the United States reads.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

When reading through the Congressional record of June 7 – September 25, 1789 you will see that the intent of the 1

st

amendment was to avoid what they experienced in Great Britain. The word

religion

is best defined as a

denomination.

Our founding fathers wanted to restrict the government from establishing a national religion (denomination).

Revision

1:

September

3, 1789 “Congress shall not make any law establishing any religious denomination

Revision 2:

“

Congress shall make no law establishing and particular denomination

Revision 3:

“

Congress shall make no law establishing any particular denomination in preference to others

Revision 4:

Today’s

version - It is clear that the founding fathers used denomination and religion interchangeably

Fisher Ames was the author of the final revision. When asked to comment on the importance of the bible in the class room he wrote in January 1801, “Why then, if these books for children

must be

retained, as they will be, should not the bible regain the place it once held as a school book. its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble, the bible will justly remain the standard of language as well as faith.”

The 1

st

Amendment and it’s HistorySlide57

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state? Slide58

The Court continued on this track so steadily that in 1958, in a case called

Bael

v.

Kolmorgen

, one of the judges was tired of hearing the “separation of church and state” phrase.  He wrote a dissent warning that if this court did not stop talking about the “separation of church and state,” people were going to start thinking that it was part of the Constitution.

There is nothing so absurd but that if you repeat it often enough, people will believe it.

This statement precisely describes the tactic utilized by the Court in the years following its 1947 announcement.  The Court regularly began to speak of a “separation of church and state,” broadly explaining, “This is what the Founders wanted—separation of church and state.  This is their great intent.”  The Court failed to quote the Founders; they just generically

asserted

that this is what the Founders wanted.

The Turning PointSlide59

Nevertheless, the Court continued talking about “separation” until June 25, 1962, when in the case of Engel v. Vitale, the Court delivered its first ever ruling which completely separated Christian principles from education.  The Court struck down school prayer.  Even the World Book Encyclopedia, 1963 Yearbook, noted that this case had been the first time that there had been a “separation of church and state” in education

.

In the 1962 case, the Court redefined the meaning and the application of a single word: “church.”  For 170 years prior to that case, the Court had defined “church,” as used in the phrase “separation of church and state,” as being a federally established denomination.  However, in 1962, the Court explained that the word “church”

now

would mean any religious activity performed in public.  This was a turning point in the interpretation of the First Amendment.Slide60

The Supreme Court Prior to 1947Slide61
Slide62

1811 – People vs. Ruggles:

In this case a man became profane about Jesus Christ and the bible both written and spoken. The courts said it was blasphemy and the man was fined $500.00 and jailed for 3 months. The court said if you’ve attacked Jesus Christ you have attacked Christianity. If you attack Christianity, you have attacked the foundation of the US. Therefore, it is an attack on the US.

The Court wrote: “Whatever strikes at the root of Christianity tends manifestly to the dissolution of civil government

.” 

The Way

Things Used

to

BeSlide63

1844 – Vidal vs. Girard:

A Philadelphia school’s premise was that they could teach morality with out teaching the bible. The court ruled that they couldn’t have a school that didn’t teach the bible’s morality, as it was the source of morality. “The purest principles of morality are to be taught. Where are they found? Whosoever searches for them must go to the source for which the Christian man derives his faith… the bible.” 

1892 - Trinity vs. the US:

The Supreme Court stated, ”Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It’s impossible that it should be otherwise; and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.” 

This case gave 87 historical precedences to prove this statement. It further stated that there were more, but

87 should

suffice to prove the government must be based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Slide64

In 1854 the House was asked to review if the foundation of our country was actually Christian. The findings of the House Judiciary committee were announced March 27, 1854.

They said that “if the people, during the Revolution, or had they any suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity that revolution would have been strangled in its cradle

”

They stated, ”The great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrine and divine truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Slide65

In the 1878 Supreme Courts case of Reynolds vs. the United States, the Supreme Court. The court summarized Jefferson’s letter in these words

“

Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere religious opinions, but was left free to reach only those religious actions which were in violation of social duties or subversive to good order. The rightful purpose of civil government is “for officers to interfere with religion only when religious principles break out in overt acts against peace and good order. In this is found the true distinction between what properly belongs to the church and what to the state”Slide66

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state? Slide67

The Supreme Court After 1947Slide68

The Way

Things Are

1962 Engle

vs.

Vitale:

Removal of prayer from school.

This

was the first time there was a separation of religious principles from public education. The courts rules that there should not be prayers in school. It was the first time we had a separation of church and state. It was the first time that NO precedence (where previous legal cases were cited) or historical incidents were quoted.

1963 Murray

vs.

Curlett:

Removed bible reading in school.

1947 -

Everson vs. the Board of Education

– Only nineteen words of Jefferson’s speech were used, those being, “The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state.” That wall must be kept high and impregnable.” It was because these words were taken out of context that the Founding father’s intent was reversed. Slide69

1963 - Abington

vs.

Schempp:

Removal of religious instruction from school.

The

court

stated, “If portions of the New Testament were read without explanation, they could be, and have

been,

psychologically harmful to the child.”

1965 - Reid

vs.

Van Hovan:

It

is unconstitutional for a student to pray aloud in

school.

1967-

Dekalb

vs.

Despain

:

It is unconstitutional for a student to pray aloud in school

. The

courts said, “The rhyme is unconstitutional since it might cause someone to think of God.” Slide70

1980 - Stone vs. Graham: Removal of 10 commandments from schools.

1989 - Gierke v. Blotzer:

In

Omaha, Nebraska, a student was prohibited from reading his Bible silently during his free time, or even to open his Bible at

school.

1990 - Roberts v. Madigan:

It

is unconstitutional for a classroom library to contain books that deal with Christianity, or for a teacher to be seen with a personal copy of the Bible at

school.

1965 - Reed v. Van Hoven:

If

a student prays over his lunch, it is unconstitutional for him to pray out

loud.Slide71

June 23, 2012

This case is whether Narrows High School, a public school in Giles County, Virginia, may post the Ten Commandments in a school, purportedly as a historical document. The American Civil Liberties Union sued the Giles County School Board to have the display removed as an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael Urbanski recently ordered the case into mediation and proposed a compromise: Remove the first four commandments, which are explicitly religious, but leave the more secular subsequent commandments, such as "Thou shalt not kill."Slide72

In the 1878 Supreme Courts case of Reynolds vs. the United States, the Supreme Court. The court summarized Jefferson’s letter in these words

“

Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere religious opinions, but was left free to reach only those religious actions which were in violation of social duties or subversive to good order. The rightful purpose of civil government is “for officers to interfere with religion only when religious principles break out in overt acts against peace and good order. In this is found the true distinction between what properly belongs to the church and what to the state”

What happened from 1878 to 1947?Slide73

To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?

To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?

What official document reference the separation of church and state?