Time For a Reality Check (Blog #46)

From the onset, I will apologize for any offense which some may take after reading this blog post. It has always seemed to me that we live in a society hell bent on revising history to suit their needs or spinning historical events as support for a current cause. There is an email with very moving text and touching pictures that has been circulated for many months by now. It pleads with people to speak up for the ACLU is moving to remove God from our lives. Of course, the email begins by reminding people that the United States of America was founded as a nation "under God". Oh really? Perhaps it is time for a reality check.

First, let's revisit the Declaration of Independence. The first paragraph speaks about the entitlement of a nation to form a government based upon the laws and nature of God. This would be a direct reference to Romans, chapter 13, which we will visit a short time later in this blog post. By no means does that reference indicate that the founders, all of whom were not "Christian" as some would like to assume, were pledging allegiance to God or setting up a holy nation. After all, the original settlers came to these shores in part for religious freedom, not to set up a government religion.

The first two sentences of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence contain the following words. "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." Dare we forget that the only individuals receiving rights under the new government were "free white men"? Here again, the only reference to God refers to the Creator who endows us with certain inherent and unalienable rights.

A final reference to a Divine being appears in the last sentence of the Declaration which speaks of a reliance on Divine Providence for protection. This is as generic as referring to a High Power in a recovery program. There is no indication that the founders of our nation intended to or expected to establish a state church.

Next, a review of the original articles of the Constitution of the United States indicated no references to God, divine authority or other influence on the governance of our nation. Our Consititution was drafted and adopted to set forth procedures for operating the government, for electing officials and representatives, and for establishing methods of supporting the newly formed government. The only indirect reference to God was the use of "the year of our Lord" (Anno Domini) to indicate the adoption of the Constitution in 1787.

Finally, what many people get worked up about is the Pledge of Allegiance and the phrase "one nation under God". I believe this may have been addressed in an earlier blog but we will do well to rehearse historical events in this context. Were you aware that "The Pledge was originally written in [August 1892] by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). He was an American, a Baptist minister, and an active Socialist. He included some of the concepts of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, who wrote a number of socialist utopian novels, such as Looking Backward (1888) and Equality (1897). In its original form, it read: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' " [Taken from The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, Copyright © 2002 to 2008 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance]

By 1924, the words "to the flag of the United States of America" had been added to Bellamy's original wording, despite his objections. Therefore, from 1924 to 1954, the pledge was simply as follows: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." It was not until 1954, in the midst of Gene McCarthy's crusade to label people as communists, that Congress passed a bill which added the words "under God" so the pledge now read: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Again, despite well meaning groups' persistent attempts and outcries, the pledge of allegiance is not a prayer nor was it ever intended to be such.

In summary then, the United States of America was not really founded as "a nation under God". Perhaps instead of insisting that prayer returns to schools, the churches in America would do well to expand their own programs of education. When the Amana colonies were founded in Iowa, children attended the public school five days a week year round. They also attended school every Saturday (all day) which was held at one of the Amana churches. The Amana church was responsible for the religious training of the children and we know that the Amana colonies thrive today based upon their original foundations.

One last thing to consider. We claim to live in a democracy. A lot of fuss is made over the pledge of allegiance, both what to say and who should say it. Going forward, remember that the pledge was written by a socialist and the words "under God" were added, in part, in the midst of a crusade to root out communism, even where it never existed. It is probably high time that we focus on strengthening this nation through our actions instead of just empty words and sentimental emails. I decided to close this out with the words of Paul to the Christians in Rome, where he explains to them the purpose and intention of government. Please remember that this is New Testament scripture and not one of the founding documents for our nation.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." [Romans 13:1-7 NIV]

~ DB Turnmire