We begin, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,” and we end, “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Our founding fathers were men, much like the men of today. They wrestled in thought and speech with men of knowledge and men of ignorance as they sought to establish a foundation for America that would stand the test of time in both practicum and vision. While the majority of men pursued this honor with pure motivations, some did not. Thankfully, the soundness of reason that helped bring all voices into one, indivisible moment of decision was heard. And out of personal sacrifice, not the least of which were countless sleepless nights carrying on debates within themselves to conquer smallness of thought, powerful agreements emerged in 1776.
Our founding fathers created the executive branch because they knew America would need one person to lead its people. They created the legislative branch knowing America would need laws to help its people flourish. And in creating the judicial branch, they knew that both boundary and wisdom and even penalty would be essential for addressing disputes among people.
The distractions that challenge America’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches today seem the greatest they have ever been, yet they are the same distractions that our founding fathers had to conquer. It is their form that differs. Members of every branch of government have the potential to sit silently and let competing thoughts subside, and in so doing to renew their spirit of service to America and allow that renewal to bridge divides and unite them. It isn’t an instant process nor should it be; but, it is a worthy process that ignites respectfulness, returns focus to the branch of government each person has chosen to serve, and brings honor to all.
A grateful American,
Kathleen Heath
Mesa
Engaged Voter posted at 10:48 am on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
"Thankfully, the soundness of reason that helped bring all voices into one, indivisible moment of decision was heard."
This brings to light a "distraction" the Founders never had to deal with; the inclusion of a religious entity into our Pledge (the original Pledge of Allegiance makes no mention of any gods).
Zealots took "One nation, indivisible", added their god to it, and divided the nation.
Accuracy posted at 1:27 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
Kathleen Heath wrote: "... powerful agreements emerged in 1776."
Unquestionably excellent, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was the mission statement and was approved by the Continental Congress.
The Declaration of Independence was laced with the language of faith – and the Constitution is the rule book. That's why so many of our Founding Fathers found it imperative to insist that the form of government they established can only prosper if the citizenry is predominantly Judeo-Christian. They minced no words when they proclaimed that our magnificent heritage can only succeed if it remains founded on the principles of Christianity and respectful of its Judeo-Christian roots.
The phrase "'In God is our trust'" is derived from the Bible; several psalms contain it or derivations of it (Psalms 20, Psalms 56, & Psalms 62, etc.). The final stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner, written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key (and later adopted as the U.S. national anthem), contains an early reference to a variation of the phrase: "...And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust'."
Let’s not forget this is our motto, “In God We Trust”. It affirms God's existence as a self-evident truth. It was so fitting then, as it is in this nation today.
Arizona Willie posted at 2:16 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
Accuracy --- the problem is that the existence of " God " is NOT self evident.
Churches claim God loves us and God is our Father.
What kind of Father would not visit his kids for thousands of years?
What kind of Father would allow a Hitler or a Pol Pot?
God gave us our brains and the power to think logically.
Thinking logically soon shows that there is no such thing as " God ".
If you consider the existence of " God " to be self-evident --- I say --- PROVE IT.
Engaged Voter posted at 2:52 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
"It affirms God's existence as a self-evident truth."
In the name of "Accuracy", I would like to point out that, in order for something to be self-evident, there must be evidence that it exists. ;)
Engaged Voter posted at 2:54 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
"...our Founding Fathers found it imperative to insist that the form of government they established can only prosper if the citizenry is predominantly Judeo-Christian... they proclaimed that our magnificent heritage can only succeed if it remains founded on the principles of Christianity and respectful of its Judeo-Christian roots."
Nothing short of slimy, filthy lies. You can hear these same type of history revisions from the clods who deny the Holocaust ever happened.
I wish I could say I was surprised.
Engaged Voter posted at 3:12 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
The Treaty of Tripoli - It was submitted to the Senate by President John Adams, receiving ratification unanimously from the U.S. Senate on June 7, 1797 and signed by Adams, taking effect as the law of the land on June 10, 1797.
Article 11 of the Treaty, first sentence:
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion..."
Darn those pesky facts!
Cerulean posted at 4:16 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
In Europe in the early 1500’s the Catholics sold ‘indulgences’ (Remission of temporal punishment due in God’s justice.) Representatives of the church would stand in the town center on a platform using drums, fire and brimstone theatrics to advertise the price of an indulgence. The church needed to raise money for the clergy. The story of Martin Luther is a story, in part, about the gullibility of people whom believe that ‘redemption’ can be bought.
In the 1950’s when overzealous U.S. senators said they feared a communist plot on our land, they added the words “under God” to the pledge and told young people to say it once a day in school. Our government then became a free advertisement for religion. If that isn’t religious tyranny, I don’t know what is.
Accuracy posted at 5:35 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
The constitutions of all fifty states in the U.S acknowledge God. And the goal of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an awful lot of agnostics, atheists, and other types of non-theists is to removal of God from form all state constitutions and the elimination of any reference to God in public.
Since March 2000, atheist activist Michael Newdow has unsuccessfully challenged the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance in court, arguing that its recitation in public schools is in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause because of the inclusion of the phrase “under God.” Newdow’s challenge was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2004. And the Supreme Court declined to hear another challenge made by Newdow in 2011 – one against the national motto, “In God We Trust.”
Prove the existence of God scientifically? Not only can you not do that . . . but it cannot be done using reason and the tools of science available to us today – instead of moral dictates set down in sacred texts written hundreds, if not thousands of years ago.
In 2011, by a vote of 396-9, the House of Representatives reaffirmed our national motto “In God We Trust.” Congressman Hal Rogers said the vote was important to reaffirm that our nation trusts in God. "It's the truth, and it explains who we are and why we are. We are a nation that early from it's very beginnings included the idea that we were a God trusting people," said Congressman Rogers.
Engaged Voter posted at 5:54 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
"The constitutions of all fifty states in the U.S acknowledge God."
Liar. There are many states where it is ambiguous. Here is one example:
Washington State Constitution
"PREAMBLE. We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution."
Now, "Supreme Ruler of the Universe" could mean anything, from Zeus to Xenu. No mention of the Abrahamic god at all. Oops!
I won't even bother responding to the rest of the spewage, given the blatant lie in the first sentence...with this exception:
"Prove the existence of God scientifically? Not only can you not do that..."
Yes, yes...now replace the word "God" with "Space Pixies from the 12th dimension" and it has the EXACT SAME VALIDITY. Oops again!
Engaged Voter posted at 5:55 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
Funny how the same people claiming to be morally superior to the rest of us keep getting caught in lies...
Accuracy posted at 7:29 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
The constitutions of all fifty states reference God, mostly in their preambles.
However, another question also arises: how is God referenced in some state constitutions – God, Lord, Creator, Divine Guidance, Supreme Being, Legislator of the universe, and the Supreme Ruler. In almost all cases, states mention God in the preambles to their constitutions. Only a few do not. New Hampshire, Vermont, and Virginia do not have preambles. Tennessee's only mentions "Lord" in the context of dates. Oregon's preamble is decidedly neutral. Washington and Colorado, with profound reverence for; the “Supreme Ruler of the Universe” for our liberties.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:56 pm on Fri, Jul 13, 2012.
Kathleen,
Nice piece.
No boys, go back and re-read Kathleen's piece. It mentions God only once and that was a quote. She emphasized the 'Unity" of the nation not a unity under God, but a unity of purpose and people. She did not write about a nation founded by God, or on religious principles. She did discuss a need to devote one's self to acts which unify our nation.
She closes with
"Members of every branch of government have the potential to sit silently and let competing thoughts subside, and in so doing to renew their spirit of service to America and allow that renewal to bridge divides and unite them. It isn’t an instant process nor should it be; but, it is a worthy process that ignites respectfulness, returns focus to the branch of government each person has chosen to serve, and brings honor to all."
Very nice piece, Kathleen! Sorry the boys missed your focus.
Cerulean posted at 8:48 am on Sat, Jul 14, 2012.
Thank goodness, the pledge of allegiance is no longer forced upon young people. Thank goodness, the dollar bill is becoming obsolete. Thank goodness, Supreme Court decisions do change.
It will be a good day too, when our government offices (and local newspapers) stop giving God free advertising.
It is then that Ms. Heaths eloquent words will have the meaning they imply.
Engaged Voter posted at 9:02 am on Sat, Jul 14, 2012.
"Sorry the boys missed your focus."
Sorry Dale, your myopic take on the piece is not the ONLY focus.
"bridge divides and unite them"
You even imply you agree with me. The only way to return focus to the branch of government each individual has chosen to serve is to remove the obstacles causing the division. And there is no question that religion is a major player here,
Engaged Voter posted at 9:09 am on Sat, Jul 14, 2012.
I will address Accuracy's ramblings one last time here.
Accuracy, I am not sure what point you are trying to make here about state preambles. Many of these same states once had laws that dealt with magic, witchcraft, and ghosts. Laws enacted, strangely enough, right around the same time as their Constitutions were written.
Thank goodness those anti-science days are behind us.
sockratties posted at 11:08 am on Sat, Jul 14, 2012.
Humans are superstitious by nature. It’s no wonder that superstitions should encroach on law. It always has that way since the tribal witchdoctor allied with the tribal chief. Of course congress would vote the keep the populations favorite superstitions on money and in the pledge. They don’t want to lose votes.
I think Ms Heath was addressing the fact that politics and political divisions are much the same today as they have been since our country was founded and we’ll get past it. She didn’t get stuck on the religious garbage like a bunch of sumo wrestlers bumping bellies to make their own theological point.
I agree with Dale on this one.
chuckles3 posted at 3:55 pm on Sat, Jul 14, 2012.
Wow, we have some serious anti-religious nuts on these forums. I didn't realize how rabid they were until now.
Rest easy fellas. With luck we will be just like secular Europe in a few years and we can send more people to jail for having Bible Study in their home like the poor guy from Gilbert.
sockratties posted at 5:30 pm on Sat, Jul 14, 2012.
C3… You might want to differentiate between anti-religious and those of us who subscribe to religious systems that are not “Judeo-Christian.” There is a sectarian element that tends to demonize those that don’t agree with their religious beliefs the same as they demonize those who don’t agree with their politics. Those same people tend to blend their religion with their politics. It’s much more likely that such things as heresy and blasphemy would become part of the political scene than the Bible study scenario you envision. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the “secular Europe” you allude to and one’s own beliefs and studies tend to be a non-issue in those places. Problems occur when religious radicalism becomes sectarian violence such as in Ireland, Bosnia and such. It was allowed to happen in Germany only 60 years ago. Don’t forget our own past such as the “Salem Witch Hunts” and even now with desecrations of Churches, Mosques and Synagogues. It could happen here if we are not vigilant.
Engaged Voter posted at 7:23 am on Sun, Jul 15, 2012.
I always find it strange when my pro-truth comments are referred to as "anti-religion". I guess that's true, if your religion is full of falsehoods and lies...
Oh and chuckles, when you make specious claims, you should probably back them up, so as not to look like a deceitful snake.
"Rabid", indeed. You want rabid? Read the comments by Accuracy, he goes completely off the deep end with his fantasy re-write of American history.
"and we can send more people to jail for having Bible Study in their home"
Oh the irony! If everyone kept their religion in their churches and in their homes, no one would have any issues with it.
Accuracy posted at 8:49 am on Mon, Jul 16, 2012.
Engaged Voter’s question: “Accuracy, I am not sure what point you are trying to make here about state preambles.”
The preamble is the introductory statement part of a state constitution. In most of the state constitutions – states mention God in the preambles to their constitutions.
My point is; atheists are still trying is to remove of God from state constitutions, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national motto.
Engaged Voter posted at 10:53 am on Mon, Jul 16, 2012.
"My point is; atheists are still trying is to remove of God from state constitutions, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national motto."
(I'll try to answer what I THINK you are saying - your comment makes no sense grammatically, so I am guessing here)
And with good reason - the same reason laws regarding magic, witchcraft, and ghosts have been removed.
And they will keep trying until they succeed and put the Dark Ages completely behind us.
That's not a point, Accuracy, that's a fact.
sockratties posted at 8:23 pm on Mon, Jul 16, 2012.
If a person does not believe in a supernatural being and one does believe in our country and does believe in what our flag stands for, one should not have to omit, hum through or belie their convictions to pledge patriotism, spend money or support our nation’s defining documents. Those who make demands of religious fealty or impose religious oaths do not understand the full meaning of freedom and would resort to tyranny in a heartbeat.
k33j88 posted at 6:12 am on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
Please Dale, don't refer to me as a "boy". I am fully capable of reasoned thought, enlightened judgments, and well thought-out opinions. You sir, are not, would I would call, a defender of our beloved Constitution/Bill of Rights.. Your liberal, progressive ideals are the stuff of tyranny and socialism. In your world, private property rights, all forms of peaceful dissent, and redress of grievances, and the 2nd amendment would be abolished. May I suggest you move to China. The "boys' there enjoy your style of "playtime".
k33j88 posted at 6:21 am on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
What Ms Heath fails to mention is the "checks and balances" necessary to prevent an abuse of another branch of federal authority. This is quite obvious to those seeing the marxist POUTS use of executive privilege, orders, signing statements, and staffing appointments while Congress is on vacation. Yes, check the Federalist papers----they were inspired by men of Judean/Christian convictions.
k33j88 posted at 6:24 am on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
My apologies----POTUS, not POUTS----thank you.
sockratties posted at 7:27 am on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
k33j88…. The term Judeo-Christian was not even used until the 1800s and at that time referred to Jews who converted to Christian beliefs. It has been used recently to politically include the commonality of the Jewish and Christian religions as opposed to the other Abrahamic religion, Islam. The “Judean/Christian convictions” you refer to were often “Deism” as described by Thomas Paine in his pamphlet, “Age of Reason.” He advocated against institutionalized religion and for “free rational inquiry” into all subjects. This appealed to many of the colonists as they had recently thrown off the oppression of the Church of England. As a Founding Father of the U.S. Paine's writings on both the rights of men and what we would now call Organized Religion strongly influenced the content and context of our founding documents. BTW… when ISN’T congress on vacation anymore?
Engaged Voter posted at 3:05 pm on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
"they were inspired by men of Judean/Christian convictions."
Wow. Another Holocaust Denier.
Let's see what these "men of Judean/Christian convictions" had to say about Christianity:
James Madison - "During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution."
Thomas Jefferson - "And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."
John Adams - "I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved-- the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!"
Benjamin Franklin - "I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life I absented myself from Christian assemblies.", "The way to see by Faith is to shut the eye of Reason."
Thomas Paine - "What is it the New Testament teaches us? To believe that the Almighty committed debauchery with a woman engaged to be married; and the belief of this debauchery is called faith."
What's your next trick going to be, k33j88? Going to claim the Moon landings never happened? ;)