Leonard at large

Wednesday, January 7, 2004

There are those in our society who think that the ACLU and recent court rulings have moved us far away from what the founding fathers intended for our country. Over time, things change. But, too often things are done and decisions made in the name of separation of religion and government.

The Constitution forbids the government in promoting a religion. There is nothing in there about the separation of religion and state, as being discussed of late, and rulings are generally one-sided -- against Christianity. When and where is some of this going to stop? It is going to be up to people in this area and throughout the Midwest to take a stand and proclaim who we are and where we came from.

Many readers may disagree with these thoughts; however, in November I received an e-mail from Ray Lukenbill, which he had received and forwarded to me, with the subject, "Did You Know."

As you know anything may be put on the Internet, regardless if it is true or not.

Still, I found this one to be of special interest, especially with one line of my ancestors going back to the brother of Patrick Henry. Following is the communication:

"Did you know. . .

There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the federal buildings and monuments in Washington, DC. James Madison, the fourth president, knows as "The Father of Our Constitution," made the statement, "We have staked the whole of all our political institutions up on the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

Patrick Henry, that patriot and founding father of our country said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionist but by Christians; not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777. Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.

Thomas Jefferson worried about that the courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law an oligarchy, the rule of few over many.

The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said, "American should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."

How then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 200 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional? In December, Ray forwarded another e-mail with the subject, "Forgotten History."

Due to space restrictions, only a portion of this letter will be shared with you. It starts out: This is worth remembering, because it is true. It's familiar territory, but.

"… Those of you that graduated from school after the early 60's were probably never taught this …Our courts have seen to that! Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of "The Declaration of Independence" were orthodox, deeply committed Christians? The other three all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of scripture, and His personal intervention. It is the same Congress that formed the American Bible Society, immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of scripture for the people of this nation.

Patrick Henry, who is called the firebrand of the American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death," but in current textbooks, the context of these words is omitted.

Here is what he actually said, "An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But, we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that resides over the destinies of nations.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution, "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools."

There were many other items listed in this e-mail It concluded with the following:

This information shared is only a drop of cement to help secure a foundation that is crumbling daily in a losing war that most of the country doesn't even know is raging on, in, and around them. . .

It seemed only proper to share with you these e-mails as we start into a new year, a year when important decisions will be made that will determine the future of this country, and our local community.

Regardless of how you might think about this information, it gives you some things to think about.

Editor's note: The first e-mail communication cited depictions of Moses and the Ten Commandments in government buildings as well.