Our Christian Heritage
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 29, 2012
By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. As we celebrate Independence Day in five days, some may celebrate our heritage in a general sort of way. But, today, let’s be specific about our national identity. Writers of the Declaration of Independence identified “their Creator” as the source of all authority and rights, reminding us that individual rights are God-given, not man-made.
The 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention that shaped the political foundations of the United States were religious men – 28 Episcopalians, 8 Presbyterians, 7 Congregationalists, 2 Lutherans, 2 of the Dutch Reformed faith, 2 Methodists, 2 Roman Catholics, 1 of unknown religion and 3 were deists. They were men of faith in God. They were not multiculturalists.
Concerning our Christian heritage, Virginia’s Governor Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Not only did Patrick Henry know the U.S. was founded on Christianity, so did others.
Of the many profound statements made by signers of the Declaration of Independence was this one by Charles Carroll, “Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion … are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.” That truth should be shouted from every media outlet, every pulpit, every courthouse, every school and every home.
Settlers knew, full well, the value of Christian morality. Accordingly, Early American children were taught Bible principles as they memorized the alphabet. Their textbook, The New England Primer, listed the Old and New Testament books of the Bible, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments … and John Cotton’s “Spiritual Milk for American Babes.” Their Primer was the second best-selling book in the colonies. The Bible was number one.
In 1836 Noah Webster, known as the “Father of American Education” said, “[T]he Christian religion is … one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed…. No truth is more evident … that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.” Amen to that!
These facts should inspire us to carefully examine the character of each candidate for public office. Especially in today’s political climate, we should remember this from our first Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
To uphold the Constitution of the United States and the intent of the Founding Fathers, please vote only for candidates who are unafraid to declare their Christian faith and promise to stand firmly on the founding documents that created the United States. Christians standing for Truth, whether in or out of office, could breathe new life into this deeply troubled nation. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.