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From: gks@vax135.UUCP (Ken Swanson)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc,net.religion.christian
Subject: Christian Roots of U.S. - part II
Message-ID: <1584@vax135.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 8-Sep-86 16:44:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax135.1584
Posted: Mon Sep  8 16:44:16 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 10-Sep-86 05:34:04 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs
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Xref: linus talk.religion.misc:14 net.religion.christian:4592

The following is based on excerpts from a sermon, "Church and State," by
Rev. Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida.

PART II
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Question:	Did the founders of this nation intend it to be a secularist,
		neutral, humanist nation; or did they believe that this was
		a nation created to the glory of God and that it was to be a
		godly, Christian state?

Evidence:
  *	During a time of strife, the communities of New England joined together
	in the New England Confederation in May of 1643, and the document
	agreed to begins
	"Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same
	end and aim, namely, to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ
	and to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel in purity with peace ..."

  *	The First Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges reads, in part,
	"... And Almighty God being the only Lord God of conscience, Father
	of lights and spirits; and the author as well as object of all divine
	knowledge, faith and worship, who only doth enlighten the minds, and
	persuade and convince the understandings of people ..."  
	It concludes with 
	"And that all persons who also profess to believe in Jesus Christ,
	the Savior of the world, shall be capable (notwithstanding their other
	persuasions and practices in point of conscience and religion) to serve
	this government in any capacity, both legislatively and executively ..."

  *	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."


end of Part II
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Ken Swanson
AT&T Bell Labs
... ihnp4!vax135!gks