In recent days there have been many disputes amongst politicians, from John McCain and the pastors that have supported him to Barak Obama having a racist minister, communistic views and connections to the mastermind terrorist Hatem El-Hady (www.judicialwatch.org).
However, there is one issue that seems to be continually brought up: the attempt to remove God and His son, Jesus Christ, from our country and its history. Yet, if you do some simple research, you will see that not only would it be quite difficult to do so, but it would be going against the very principles our nation was founded upon.
For example:
—Laus Deo … These two words, which mean “Praise be to God,” are displayed on top of the aluminum cap on the Washington Monument. These words were strategically placed facing heavenward to pay respect to the Father of our nation, God.
—The Washington monument … On July 4, 1848, the cornerstone of the Washington monument was laid. In it, many items were placed — one of them being the Holy Bible.
—A monumental cross … is a piece of historical architecture not many know about. In Washington DC., there is an enormous cross; designer Pierre Charles L’Enfant arranged things so when people looked out of the Washington monument, they would remember who our country was founded on. This “cross” I speak of is formed by the White House, the Jefferson Memorial, the Capital Building and the Lincoln Memorial.
These are a few of the hundreds of symbols that are embedded in our nation’s foundations. Not only is religion in our monuments, but it is in our documents as well. President James Madison, the “guiding force” behind the language of the Constitution, said, “We have staked the future of all our political institutions … upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves and to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments.”
Now, many would argue about the First Amendment “right” of the separation of church and state. Here is exactly what the first amendment says:
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.
As you can see, nowhere in the amendment is the phrase “separation of church and state” mentioned. In fact, nowhere in the entire Constitution or any of our governing documents are those words found. That phrase was first written by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Danbury Church in Connecticut addressing their concern that the government might prohibit their free worship of God. In his letter, Jefferson reassured the people that they need not fear because the new government was founded upon the Bible.
There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence. When these 56 men signed that declaration, they did it believing that they were “endowed by their Creator [God] with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; 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”
The following is George Washington’s prayer for America:
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.
"And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Laus Deo!
As you can see, our nation was founded upon God and the Holy Bible. Since the beginning of our country, He has been called upon for guidance and has been our refuge in times of trouble. His Word has been etched into our documents and He has been embedded into our history. God is our nation’s heritage.
Sarah Helwig will be a senior at West Coast Baptist College in the fall.
