America's Founding Fathers believed they were establishing a nation where Christians could work and worship freely. They made no pretenses to being agnostic or unbelieving. Early in our country's existence, Benjamin Franklin wrote a pamphlet called, "Information to Those who would Remove to America." It was intended to be a guide for Europeans who were thinking of relocating to America. In it he said, "Hence, bad examples to youth are more rare in America, which must be comfortable consideration to parents. To this may be truly added that serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only tolerated, but respected and practiced. Atheism is unknown there; Infidelity rare and secret; so that persons may live to a great age in that country without having their piety shocked by meeting with either an Atheist or an Infidel."
The concluding paragraph in the U.S. Constitution says, "Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven . . ." The framers were obviously not referring to Mohammed.
Daniel Webster also paid public tribute to America's Christian heritage when he said, "Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought higher by their high veneration for the Christian [not Muslim] religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary."
Webster went on to say, "Let us cherish these sentiments, and extend this influence still more widely; in full conviction that that is the happiest society which partakes in the highest degree of the mild and peaceful spirit of Christianity."
On November 20, 1798, in his last Will and Testament, Patrick Henry wrote, "This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed."
It is obvious that America's founders were not ashamed of Jesus Christ or of the Christian faith. It is fortunate for them that they are not around today to see how their descendants handle the matter of religion.
Today, America's military chaplains cannot pray in Jesus' name. In virtually every opening prayer of every governmental body across the country, the name of Jesus is purposely omitted. A plethora of public prayer services following the attacks on September 11 failed to mention Jesus' name. An appeal to virtually every pagan god in the world has been made, but there have been hardly any references to the Lord Jesus.
In fact, throughout America, virtually all references to our Savior have been obliterated. Manger scenes have been removed from public property and so have crosses and other symbols of Christianity. Public school choirs no longer sing Christmas songs; they now sing about "winter solstice." Easter vacation has become "spring break." or all practical purposes, Jesus Christ has been vanquished from our public life.
Yet, this is a country whose major holidays include the celebrations of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection. It is a country that was dedicated to "the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith (Mayflower Compact). Even within the U.S. Constitution (a document liberals say is totally secular in its content) is the recognition of the Christian worship day. Article 1, Section 7, Paragraph 2: "If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted)."
If we were really the patriots we should be, we would be doing everything in our power to restore the name of Jesus Christ to its rightful place of honor within our land. Anything less is too little too late.
© Chuck Baldwin
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