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From: jis@mtgzz.UUCP (j.mukerji)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc,net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Christian Roots of U.S. - part II
Message-ID: <2105@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Sep-86 19:41:06 EDT
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Posted: Tue Sep  9 19:41:06 1986
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Xref: linus talk.religion.misc:22 net.religion.christian:4604

>  *	In the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence we find
>	"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 amongst these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
>	happiness."
>	The Declaration of Independence concludes with
>	"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on
>	the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each
>	other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
>
>  *	Benjamin Franklin said at the convention that met to draw up the
>	Constitution:
>	"I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more
>	convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the
>	affairs of men.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without
>	His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
>	We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that 'Except the
>	Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.'  I firmly
>	believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid
>	we shall succeeed in this political building no better than the
>	builders of Babel."
>
>  *	In his first inaugural address, George Washington said
>	"It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official
>	act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the
>	universe, Who presides in the councils of nations ... In tendering this
>	homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure
>	myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own ..." 
>	He ends with
>	"I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more
>	to the benign Parent of the human race in humble supplication that,
>	since He has been pleased to favor the American people with
>	opportunities ... so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous
>	in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise
>	measure on which the success of this government must depend."
>
>

I am trying to figure out why the above quotes are uniquely Christian. They
are theistic yes, but unless one were to beleive that the Christians had a
monopoly over the Almighty, it seems absurd to claim that any of the above
are uniquely Christian statements.

Jishnu Mukerji
mtgzz!jis