Today, Americans are more incompetent than ever in truly understanding what their Constitution provides and why it was designed as it was. There are still too many who don't understand the intent of the First Amendment and don't realize that our Founders and the ratifying States chose their words carefully when they drafted the particular amendments which became the Bill of Rights. "The Constitution was written to be understood by the voters; its words and phrases were used in their normal and ordinary, as distinguished from technical meaning; where the intention is clear, there is no room for construction, and no excuse for interpolation or addition." (The Supreme Court in Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824). Americans believe blindly in the "Wall of Separation," which appears nowhere in the Constitution. They've heard it so often by liberals in the media and probably from their own liberal teachers and professors that it has become engrained in their vocabulary and their understanding, just like the terms "global warming" and "sustainable living" are becoming the catch phrases for government regulation and controlled development. They believe the "Wall" is an imaginary, high, impenetrable wall mandated by the government (endorsed enthusiastically by the courts) that requires a complete disconnect between itself and religion. But from the moment that horrible phrase entered constitutional jurisprudence and became law and defined the new intent of our First Amendment, it re-wired our collective national understanding and initiated the outward hostility to our founding religion has crept into our historically-Christian nation. [Everson v. Board of Education (1947)]. In reality the hostility preceded that decision, and in fact, it was for that very reason that Thomas Jefferson's statement in a personal letter to the Danbury Baptists about a "wall of separation between Church and State" was twisted and misinterpreted. The Supreme Court justice who delivered the decision and wrote the opinion, Justice Hugo Black, was a ranking KKK official who promoted "the Separation of Church in State" for the express purpose of keeping the influence of Christians OUT OF GOVERNMENT.
In his book Persecution, David Limbaugh wrote: "Anti-Christian discrimination occurs in a variety of contexts throughout our culture, from the public sector to the private sector, in the mainstream media and in Hollywood, in the public education system and in our universities. Often the discrimination comes from activist judges misinterpreting the law (the hostility to Christian religious freedom infects our judiciary as much as anywhere else); other times it comes from entities misapplying the law. It also comes from what we call 'political correctness.' The discrimination mostly stems from a hostility to Christianity and from rampant disinformation in our society about what the Constitution actually requires in terms of the so-called 'separation of church and state'."
The Courts have not treated the first amendment right of religious freedom as kindly as they have treated the first amendment right of free speech, the latter of which is capable of greater alienation and offense. "Overall, the Court has been far more hospitable to free speech cases than to cases involving religious expression or exercise. In the speech area, the courts have taken a somewhat monolithic approach: protecting the speech no matter what the argument for censorship is. Everything from sexually explicit speech to hateful insults to flag-burning to offensive art to profanity is protected, all under the theory that the marketplace of ideas requires the most speech possible. Almost never do the courts look into what discomfort or antagonism the speech might cause, nor into how valuable the speech is for a democratic society. And yet, in Establishment Clause cases, judges justify their restricting of religious expression on any number of grounds, many of which relate to perceptions of the social divisiveness or alienation that religion might cause." [Patrick Mr. Garry, "The Cultural Hostility to Religion"]
Our Founders proposed several different versions of the First Amendment before the final wording was settled upon. Looking at those earlier drafts, it is abundantly clear that our Founders, and especially the States to our federal compact (US Constitution) were not trying to prevent a complete separation of Church and State. They were intent on forbidding a national religion, as they had in England. In 1983, in the case of Jaffree v. Board of School Commissioners, Judge Brevard Hand quoted former Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story who clarified the original meaning of the First Amendment: "The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less to advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism, or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity, but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects (denominations) and to prevent any national ecclesiastical patronage of the national government."
Our Founding Fathers certainly never envisioned that our government would become hostile to the very liberty that brought our early settlers here in the first place - the freedom to freely exercise one's faith.
But Jefferson was suspicious. He was suspicious of a federal judiciary who would assume the power of being the final arbiter on the meaning of the Constitution. In a letter to Abigail Adams, he wrote: "Nothing in the Constitution has given them [the federal judges] the right to decide what laws are constitutional, and what not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action, but for the legislature and executive also, in their spheres, would make the judiciary a despotic branch." He warned us to be suspicious of the federal judiciary who might twist the meaning of the right of religious freedom. On September 6, 1819, he wrote: "The Constitution is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please." (America's God and Country, p. 330). And that they certainly did.
Our history is rich in examples of how the Christian religion formed our foundation and the early great character of our nation. First and foremost, 52 out of 55 of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention were "orthodox, evangelical Christians." These same gentlemen would go on to push for greater assurances of individual liberty - with a Bill of Rights. It is safe to assume that had our Founders not been such strong believers, if they had not possessed such servants' hearts, we would not be blessed with the inspired documents that so strongly and profoundly form the foundation of our country.
Atheists like to point out that our Founders were deists, but the importance of religion in their lives, in their thinking, in the way they served their states and their country, and especially in the way they crafted our government and secured our rights are undeniable. Our nation is truly a Christian nation. Many of our most important Founding Fathers, including George Washington, were strong believers.
George Washington, our most devoted and selfless public servant, delivered one of the most important political speeches in our nation's history when he offered a farewell address in 1796 and talked about the importance of religion. He said:
"I shall carry with me to my grave...... May heaven continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it... On an occasion like the present, I offer sentiments which are the result of much reflection and which appear to me all-important to the permanency of your felicity as a people. These will be offered to you as the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his counsel.
The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead 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 of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?
In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish; that they will control the usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But, if I may even flatter myself that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dictated.
How far in the discharge of my official duties I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them."
An article about Washington's faith appeared in an early newspaper called The National Tribune. It was a post-Civil War publication (forerunner to today's Stars and Stripes magazine), published for the men and women in the armed forces), and intended as a forum for old soldiers to share their reminiscences. The article was entitled "George Washington's Vision" at Valley Forge and described an eyewitness account by a soldier named Anthony Sherman of an direct encounter with General George Washington. Sherman was a soldier in the Continental Army and claimed to be at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778. The article is as follows:
"The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the fourth of July, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then 99 years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he had come to visit once more.
"'Let's go into the hall,' he said. 'I want to tell you of an incident of Washington's life -- one which no one alive knows of except myself; and if you live, you will before long see it verified. Mark the prediction, you will see it verified.
"'From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill, one time victorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to pass the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commander's careworn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington's going into the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used to pray often in secret for aid and comfort. And God brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.
George Washington was the America's first president, and the "Father of our Country:" Above.
"'One day, I remember it well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly. He remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon, alone. When he came out I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of an officer, who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, said to the latter:
"I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful being. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of the visit. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat the question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes.
"But this time I felt strange sensations spreading over me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to speak, but my tongue had become useless, as if paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor.
"Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed to fill with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy, the mysterious visitor also becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my eyes than before. I began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany death. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move. All were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion.
"Presently I heard a voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn,' while at the same time my visitor extended an arm EASTWARD. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay, spread out in one vast plain, all the countries of the world -- Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific. 'Son of the Republic,' said the same mysterious voice as before, 'Look and learn.'
"At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in midair, BETWEEN EUROPE AND AMERICA. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left he cast some over Europe. Immediately a cloud arose from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it seemed stationary, and then it moved slowly WESTWARD, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.
"A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heavy billows it sank from view.
"A third time I heard the mysterious visitor saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was spotted with them. Again, I heard the mysterious voice say, 'Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and listen.'
"And this time the dark shadowy angel turned his face SOUTHWARD. From AFRICA I saw an ill-omened specter approach our land. It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking I saw a bright angel on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word 'Union.' He was bearing the American flag. He placed the flag between the DIVIDED NATION and said, 'Remember, ye are brethren.'
"Instantly, the inhabitants, casting down their weapons, became friends once more and UNITED around the National Standard.
"Again I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa.
"Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these continents arose thick black clouds that were soon joined into one. And through this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men. These men, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities which I had seen springing up.
"As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of sounds and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn." When this voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast.
