America’s Godly Heritage
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Does America really have a Christian heritage?
Did the Congress approve the printing of the Bible?
Why did the Pilgrims migrate to America?
Are most of our National Holidays dedicated to our
Creator (the Lord Jesus)?
• What is the meaning of the word “Liberty” on the Liberty
Bell hung outside of independence Hall?
• How many of the Founding Fathers (of the 58) who
signed the Declaration of Independence were Christians?
• Is the phrase Separation of Church and State in the
Constitution?
American Heritage
• Isaiah 43
• I Corinthian 10 says for the Christians “not to be ignorant” of the
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history.
Hebrews 10 says “there is a remembrance again…”
Psalm 73 God says in His Word to remember the time in the former
days and to recall the former generations.
During the stoning of Saint Stephen by the religious Jewish leaders
(Saul and his cronies) Acts 7:56 .
Saint Peter during his time at the day of Pentecost. Acts 2.
KJ version
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
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IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station
to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. — 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 and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient
causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are
sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train
of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute
Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their
future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which
constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a
history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny
over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
“Separation of Church and State”
Unfortunately for liberals, the first clauses of the First Amendment only
state:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
The Ninety founding Fathers who framed the First Amendment
articulated a very clear intent. The debate spanned from 7 June
– 25 September 1789.
The purpose was a clear cut two pronged approach.
1)
2)
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…”
“…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” This clause requires the
Federal government to protect not to suppress as they are currently
doing.
The First Amendment keeps the government in check and not to the
contrary.
“Separation of Church and State”
cont.
The phrase appeared in a private letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote 13
years after the First Amendment was written. When Jefferson wrote the
Danbury Baptists on 01 January 1801, thanking them for the “kind prayers”.
Thereby keeping the government out of religious activities, however
Christianity has every right to influence upon government.
In 1947, the U. S. Supreme Court decided the case of Everson v. Board of
Education
Hugo Black former KKK member appointed by FDR to the Supreme Courts.
Religious Holidays in America
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John Adams believed that the Fourth of July should become a religious holiday – a day when we
remembered God's hand in deliverance and a day of religious activities when we committed
ourselves to Him in “solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” Such was the spirit of the
American Revolution as seen through the eyes of those who led it, evidenced even further in the
words of John Quincy Adams, one who was deeply involved in the activities of the Revolution.
In 1837, when he was 69 years old, he delivered a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport,
Massachusetts. He began that address with a question: “Why is it, friends and fellow citizens, that
you are here assembled? Why is it that entering on the 62nd year of our national existence you
have honored [me] with an invitation to address you. . . ?”
The answer was easy: they had asked him to address them because he was old enough to
remember what went on; they wanted an eye-witness to tell them of it! He next asked them:
“Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most
venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?”
An interesting question: why is it that in America the Fourth of July and Christmas were our two
top holidays? Note his answer: “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the
nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the
progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first
organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it
laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”
According to John Quincy Adams, Christmas and the Fourth of July were intrinsically connected.
On the Fourth of July, the Founders simply took the precepts of Christ which came into the world
through His birth (Christmas) and incorporated those principles into civil government.
Removing the Bible from the Public
Schools and Institution
• Show the slides of
Teenage birthrates
Crime rates
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
SAT scores
Single Family Household
First Bible in America
• Indeed, there are copious of evidence that is
visible in consideration of individual in and
around just one small building: Independence
Hall in Philadelphia which is the birthplace of
American liberty and the origin of American
constitutional government.
• After the British lost the battle at Yorktown
Robert Aitken a printer at Philadelphia
requested a Bible to be printed and his request
was answered with a resounding yes
(12September1782).
Journals of Congress, Vol. XIX, p.91, January 26, 1782. (for the request from
Robert Aitken)
Journals of Congress, Vol. XXIII, pp. 572-573, September 12, 1782. (Robert’s
approval)
Mayflower Compact
1st American Government Document
Mayflower Compact
– 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 advancement of the
Christian Faith and 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 of 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 hereunder 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. Anno Domini 1620.
Bradford, William (1898). "Book 2, Anno 1620". in Hildebrandt, Ted (PDF). Bradford's History "Of Plimoth Plantation". Boston:
Wright & Potter. http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NEReligiousHistory/Bradford-Plimoth/BradfordPlymouthPlantation.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
The Mayflower Compact (1620)
Mayflower Compact
• 50 years ago America taught the 1st Government Document in
school history classes.
A few quotes
• Samuel Adams
Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
• I . . . recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit
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to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins. Will
of Samuel Adams
Charles Carroll
Signer of the Declaration of IndependenceOn the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for
salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His
precepts.
From an autographed letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W.
Wharton, Esq., on September 27, 1825, from Doughoragen, Maryland.
William Cushing
First Associate Justice Appointed by George Washington to the Supreme
CourtSensible of my mortality, but being of sound mind, after recommending my soul
to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer and my body to the earth . . .
Will of William Cushing
A few quotes continued
• John Dickinson
Signer of the Constitution
• Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for
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my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His
other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His
mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.Will of John Dickinson
John Hancock
Signer of the Declaration of IndependenceI John Hancock, . . . being advanced in
years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore
calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once
to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and
testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands
of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but
at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of
God. . .Will of John Hancock
Patrick Henry
Governor of Virginia, Patriot
• This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give
them one which will make them rich indeed. Will of Patrick Henry
A few quotes continued
• John Jay
First Chief Justice of the US Supreme CourtUnto Him who is the author and
giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and
unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His
beloved son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with
a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has companied me
through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my
country; His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation
but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful. Blessed
be His holy name! Will of John Jay
• Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer
Signer of the ConstitutionIn the name of God, Amen. I, Daniel of Saint
Thomas Jenifer . . . of dispossing mind and memory, commend my soul to
my blessed Redeemer. . .
Will of Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer
Isaac Potts Caught Washington
Praying
Last Notes
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Two monuments of Washington kneeling and praying at Valley Forge
Statue of him praying in Washington state and of all of the images of him the state chose the
picture of him praying.
US capitol, has him praying in the stain glass at the Chapel.