In America, on July 4th we celebrate a day we call Independence Day. It is a day when we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The original date was July 4, 1776. We became the United States of America when the Continental Congress declared the thirteen American colonies as free and independent from the British Empire.
This Declaration of Independence gave us certain rights that we still hold dear. First, we are all created equal and we all have the right to pursue happiness. To worship freely and speak freely. Our founders didn’t believe a government should limit our rights in these areas. They came from a nation where their religion was state-led and dictated to them. The founding fathers believed in a government that was ruled by the people.
“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.” This is based on scripture also. In Romans 10:11-12 Paul declares that God sees no difference between the Jews and the Greeks, or in Romans 2:11 anyone else.
Romans 10:11-12 “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Our country was established to give freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. The separation of church and state was to limit the government from coming into the church and governing the church. It was not to limit the influence the church had on the government. The countries these first Americans came from were countries where the government established the churches. If you were a citizen of that country you were obligated to support the church they deemed correct.
These Americans were establishing a new country and a new government. If you trace back the laws governing us, most of them were based on biblical principles. Think about it. “Thou shalt not kill.” This is one of the ten commandments and the word for kill in this verse means murder. It’s not referring to defending yourself or accidental death. Our government deems murder a crime that sometimes warrants death.
“Thou shalt not steal.” Yep, you’ll go to jail for that one too! We also are not to bear false witness, and we even lay our hand on a Bible when we are about to give testimony in court. We say we will tell the truth. This is the oath. “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Doing anything less is to perjure yourself, and that also will get you jail time.
For those who feel that the religion has no influence over our government or the founding of our country is just ludicrous.
- Our money has imprinted “in God we trust,” since 1864.
- Congress inserted “Under God” in the pledge in 1954 to reaffirm that America was founded on a belief in God.
- Since the 1820’s the Supreme Court has opened its sessions with the prayer of “God save the United States and this Honorable Court.”
- Since the first president George Washington was inaugurated, until now, every president has said in his inaugural oath “so help me God.”
- In the 1930’s a marble frieze on the south wall of the courtroom features Moses with the Ten Commandments.
- Since the first meeting in 1774, Congress has opened with prayer.
- When our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001, the members of Congress spontaneously sang “God Bless America” on the steps of the Capitol building.
- Since 1775 America has employed chaplains in each branch of the military to facilitate the worship of God.
- On October 3, 1789, President Washington recognized “the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favor.” He then declared a national day of thanksgiving and prayer to be observed.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. Our nation was founded one nation under God. It was established to give us the freedom to worship as we chose. God is intertwined all throughout our government and He is part of our heritage. If you love the freedoms we have here in America, you need to thank those who continue to protect those freedoms. I am so very thankful to live where we are independent of anyone or anything keeping us from worshiping the way we chose. What a blessing to live in a country where many still reverence and honor God as our creator, our sustainer, and Jesus as our Redeemer. We are all under God. He is the ruler of the Universe even if you don’t acknowledge or believe it!
Happy Independence Day!
