Over 200 years ago, our second President (and signer of the Declaration of Independence) John Adams stated that Independence Day would be celebrated forever in America, because it's the most important day in our history. "It ought to be commemorated," he said, "as a day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God."Is it odd that he mentioned God? Not at all. Most of the founding fathers held deeply religious convictions. Of the 56 who signed the Declaration, almost half held seminary or Bible school degrees. Because faith influences reasoning and values, the founders' spiritual perspectives couldn't help but be reflected in their philosophies and the documents they created.
WHAT? Religion in education? Yes.In the first schools, the text books included the Bible and Noah Webster's Spelling Primer, which was filled with moral Bible verses. Webster believed "No government of a republican form can exist and endure in which the principles of religion have not a controlling influence." He wrote, "For instruction in social, and civil duties, resort to the scriptures for the best precepts. All evils men suffer from vice, crime, injustice, oppression and war, proceed from neglecting the precepts in the Bible."Founding Fathers like Fisher Ames (First Amendment) thought teaching ancient scriptures developed character, wisdom and pure morals; and called the Bible "the best corrector of all that is evil in society."A common belief in early America was that there is an ultimate authority who judges men's actions. Such a belief provides motivation to live morally.
John Adams (Declaration and second President) wrote, "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions (that are) unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
Am I saying ours is a Christian nation, or all Americans should be Christians? Should schools promote that religion? NO, I'm saying the founding of our country was shaped in large part by religious principles and our founders believed society, especially children, could greatly benefit from learning and emulating attitudes taught in the New Testament. Ben Franklin wrote "The system of morals Jesus left us is the best the world ever saw." He concluded that commands in the Bible were "forbidden because they were bad for us" or "commanded because they were beneficial to us." Could living by the principles esteemed by our forefathers improve our lives today? With teachings like "Forgive as I have forgiven you" and "Do to others what you would like others to do to you," how could they not have a positive influence in any generation?
John Adams (Signer of the Declaration and Second President) wrote in his autobiography that "It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. The principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity."A quote I find especially relevant in our current social climate is from Daniel Webster (Secretary of State). "If we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, and violate the rules of eternal justice, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury all our glory." Edward Mansfield acknowledged, "The morals of a people – whatever they may be – take their form from their religion." The marriage of brothers and sisters was permitted in Egypt, because that precedent was set by their gods Isis and Osiris. Nations that have no religion and no God typically are lawless and immoral. That's not how America began; but is that where we're headed?
I respect this extra long post however, I believe we are a nation of free wills and beliefs for the modern society of today. Back when our founding fathers came together, that was "their" moral compass, not necessarily all of ours for the 21nd century. They feared God more than knowing him as a God of love and compassion for everyone, and every belief, and every lifestyle. We were a country quick to condemn people who disagree with what we believe in, or live a different lifestyle, or are a different color. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, Jews, Amish,Scientologists, and hundreds more are all here in the USA and on this planet to coexist, and each has faith as strong as the other.All these religions were not here back in the day, but are here now. There is no wrong or right answers here excepting someone tying fit all these square pegs into a one round hole.
I am a Christian, but I do not believe it belongs in the public school system, nor in politics any longer, or any public place in our growing and diverse America. Because what I believe to be true and how I wish to live my life, does not make it right or wrong to anyone but myself, nor do I feel anyone has a right to push any religious agenda onto anyone else. I do not believe any verbiage in the past needs to be weeded out of governments documents or old buildings of the past, but I do believe from this century forward, religion should not be a part of Government or the school system any longer. It is a personal choice, and by publicly displaying it in public schools, Government buildings I feel is out of place for those who are atheists or a believe in another religion. There are many private religious schools of every faith if you so chose to attend and organization of like minds to associate with outside of the public forum.
The best thing everyone can do as a whole society is bring back parental guidence of right or wrong to our next generation. Teach your kids the value of morality, compassion, consequences for your actions, diversity for all religions, sexual preferences, skin colors, and learn tolerance instead of condemn the indifference.
If we get back to the basics of life and quit leaving the raising of our children to the teachers and baby sitters and show by example instead of you saying one thing and doing another will go a long way. Stay out of the bars every night, quit smoking, get a job, set the example for your kids. It has nothing to do with our founding fathers, or what is done in school...it all begins at home. The future generation is being born everyday. We need to look to the future and not live in the past.