America's Godly Heritage 101--A Look At The Record

NOTE: This posting may be unusually long, so I will apologize in advance for the length.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: The spelling of certain words used in this posting are as they were originally written.

It never ceases to amaze me how, those who know so little about our country's history and heritage, are so determined to rewrite it. After reading some of the comments on "Church and State," I felt a look at what was actually said over two centuries ago was in order. Let's start with the United States Supreme Court. In the case of Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 143 US 457, (1892) the High Court states: "But beyond all these matter, no purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation."

The Court went on to cite the First Charter of the Virginia Colony in 1606 which stated: "We greatly commending and graciously accepting of, their desires for the Futherance of So noble a Work, which may,by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Diving Majesty, in propagating of theChristian Religion to such People as yet live in Darkness and miserble Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Worship of God, and may in time bring the Infidels and Savages living in those parts, to human Civility, and to a settled and quiet Government; Do by these our Letters-Patents, graciously accept of, and agree to, their humble and well-intended Desires."

The Mayflower Compact of 1620 was the next document cited by the Court, which stated: "Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour 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 Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid."

Next came the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut of 1638-39, which stated: "Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Allmighty God by the wise disposition of his diuyine Pruidence so to Order and dispose of things that we the inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwelling in and vppon the River of Conectecotte and the Lands thereunto adioyneing; And well knowing where a people are gathered togather the Word of God requires that to mayntayne the peace and vnion of such a people there should be an orderal and decent Gouerment established according to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people at all seasons asoccation shall requiire; doe there associate and conioyne ourselues as one Publike State or Comonwealth; and doe for ourselues and our Successors and such as shall be adioyned to vs att any type hereafter, enter into Combination and Confederation togather, to mayntayne and presere the liberty and purity of the gospell of our Lord Jesus wch we not prfesse, as also the disciplyne of the Churches,wch according to the truth of the said gospell is now practised amongst vs."

The Supreme Court went on through approximately 87 references which leaves no doub to anyone who takes the time to look that this nation has a strong Christian foundation. The Court concluded: "These and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances tha this is a Christian nation." And just for the record, an "organic utterance is one that has been publicly recorded. The record, however does not stop here!

John Jay, our first U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice said: "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of this Christian Nation to select and prefer Christians as their rulers."

In his farewell address of 1796, George Washington said: "Of all the dispositions and habits which led 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."

I could go on and cite numerous other quotations from our Founding Fathers, and the documents which framed our great country, but I think it is unnecessary. The record is clear that God had and still has a firm hand on the history of America. And to those who would disagree, I suggest that you take the time to learn more about our history instead of thinking of ways to revise it to fit a misguided agenda.