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From: wfi@rti-sel.UUCP (William Ingogly)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc,net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Christian Roots of the U.S. - final part
Message-ID: <996@rti-sel.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 11-Sep-86 18:15:55 EDT
Article-I.D.: rti-sel.996
Posted: Thu Sep 11 18:15:55 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Sep-86 06:59:36 EDT
References: <1585@vax135.UUCP>
Reply-To: wfi@rti-sel.UUCP (William Ingogly)
Organization: Research Triangle Institute, NC
Lines: 60
Xref: linus talk.religion.misc:35 net.religion.christian:4613

In article <1585@vax135.UUCP> gks@vax135.UUCP (Ken Swanson) writes:

>Is there any doubt - based upon the above evidence from early documents,
>buildings and written works of the fathers of this country - that this is
>a nation under God founded for the furtherance of the Gospel and Kingdom
>of our Lord Jesus Christ?

You BET there is. Let's look at these quotes:

>  *	George Washington, in one of his first official acts, presents
>	the First Thanksgiving Proclamation:
>	"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the
>	providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for
>	His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor ..."

Firstly, Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation has NOTHING to do with
the founding of the country, its legal system, government, etc.
Secondly, I don't see where this quote (or most of the others) mention
God in any context other than a very general one. Where's the Gospel
in here, or your Lord Jesus Christ?

>  *	All of the state constitutions, all 50 without exception, contain
>	an appeal or prayer to the the Almighty God of this universe.  

Again, none of the examples mention Christianity at all so your
contention that these quotes support the notion of a nation founded
for the furtherence of the Gospel and the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus
Christ is RIDICULOUS.

>  *	A box in the cornerstone of the Capitol Building, the cornerstone
>	laid by George Washington, contains a manuscript in the handwriting of
>	Daniel Webster:

What does Daniel Webster have to do with the principles this country
was founded on? And he doesn't say WHICH God should save the U.S.:
maybe it's Ubizmo. :-)

>	...Representatives which reads in large words:
>	"In God We Trust." ...  God save the
>	United States and the Honorable Court."  ...

Which God? Whose God? Where's the Gospel, the praise of our Lord Jesus
Christ?

>  *	Over the fireplace installed by John Adams in the White House are
>	the words:
>	"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this White House
>	and on all that shall inhabit it ..."

John Adams' fireplace has as much to do with the founding of the U.S.
as Nancy Reagan's china. Give us a break.
 
>       Along the stairs rising in the Washington Monument ...
>       On the walls of various rooms in the Library of Congress:

What do inscriptions in monuments and buildings have to do with the
principles this country was founded on (and constructions from long
after the founding, to boot)?

                       -- Cheers, Bill Ingogly