THE MYTH OF "SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE" UNMASKED
SELECTED PRAYERS, SPEECHES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS OF AMERICA’S FOUNDING FATHERS
21 April, 1999, A.D.
I. INTRODUCTION
The suppression of Biblical Christian values has relentlessly pursued its objective in America since the 1962-63 U.S. Supreme Court rulings that rejected Divine Law in our public schools (8). For example: consider the removal of Bible reading, Prayer and the posting of The Ten Commandments - all having been removed from American public schools in the last 35 years because our Supreme Court has declared them "unconstitutional" in the public school setting (2,3,8). Consider also the disasterous results of rejecting God's Word by our institutions, society and government since 1962: astronomical increases in teenage pregnancies, abortion, illegitimate births, sexually-transmitted diseases in adolescents, violent crime and divorce - to name only a few (8).
Until the early 1960's, American society and its institutions rested firmly upon The Holy Bible's teachings (14). The New American Doctrine of rejecting Divine Law based on The Holy Bible by the U.S. Supreme Court since 1962-63 is referred to as "The Separation Of Church And State" (3,8,53). The War upon traditional Judeo-Christian values in America continues unabated today; one of the primary weapons to alter the nature of American society today is the use of this New American Doctrine - "Separation Of Church And State."
Consider, for example, a recent report in the Bennington Banner of Bennington, Vermont on 3/31/99 entitled, (Vermont State) "Senate Takes Fresh Look At Opening Sessions With Prayer" (49). This issue came to light after an invited Minister, upon delivering his Bible reading and Prayer, then delivered a Sermon opposing homosexuality and abortion to the Vermont State Senate (49). It is hardly surprising to note that some such honorable State Senators were reportedly made "uncomfortable" in the presence of God's Word (49). Nor was it surprising to note one such honorable State Senator cited as a reason to halt the American tradition of Religious Services in government legislative bodies in his State the New American Doctrine of "Separation Of Church And State" (49).
One hears of this supposedly Constitutionally-mandated Doctrine so often - "Separation Of Church And State" - that any reasonable person would assume that it was an integral part of the U.S. Constitution and the thinking of America's Founding Fathers. Yet, the phrase "Separation of Church and State" appears in NO American Founding document, NOR in any private or public pronouncements in America's Founding period! It is NOT in the Declaration of Independence. It is NOT in the U.S. Constitution. It is NOT in the U.S. Bill Of Rights. It was NOT uttered by any Founding Father in the Founding period of America. Yes, that is correct: NOWHERE - atleast not in America's Founding (53)! However, the doctrine of "Separation of Church and State" is part of the founding of the communist United Soviet Socialist Republics (3,60)! Did you know:
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS OF 1922 (3,8, 60):
ARTICLE 124: "In order to ensure to citizens freedom of conscience, the churh in the U.S.S.R. is separated from the State, and the school from the church."(3,8)
ARTICLE 142: "Breach of laws governing the separation of church from state and of education from the church: Any breach of the laws governing the separation of the church from the state and of education from the church is punishable by corrective labor for a maximum term of one year or a fine of 50 rubles."(60)
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ISAIAH 10:1:
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed.
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This phrase of Thomas Jefferson's has been taken out of context by a late 20th Century U.S. Supreme Court to institute a New Doctrine totally alien to the Founding Fathers. During the writing of the U.S. Constitution, Thomas Jefferson was in France as our Nation's Ambassador and had no direct imput into the writing of the Federal Constitution! This quote was in fact taken from a private letter Thomas Jeffeson wrote in 1801 to a Church Body to assure them that Freedom of Religion would never be infringed upon by the U.S. Federal Government! (46) Arbitrarily, and without past legal precident, a new American Doctrine was suddenly invented in the 1940's by the U.S. Supreme Court by disregarding all previous Constitutional Doctrine, Court decisions, thoughts of the Founders and the intent of Jefferson's letter itself (8).
The original intent of the Founding Fathers rests in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which proclaims that no federal denomination (ie - a National Church) would ever be established. Yet today, a redefined First Amendment is used to suppress and exclude Biblical principles and activities from America's public institutions and forums! David Barton, in "America's Godly Heritage," explains: "No longer would the First Amendment simply prohibit the establishment of a federal denomination; it now would prohibit religious activities in public settings." (46)
Let us examine the evidence itself:
THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. FEDERAL CONSTITUTION IN "THE BILL OF RIGHTS" (3,8,42,43,46,52):
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
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JOHN 8:32:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
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THE PRIVATE LETTER OF THOMAS JEFFERSON TO THE DANBURY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN 1801 SPEAKS FOR ITSELF (3,8,53):
I was brought under doubts, and was tempted to believe I was deceived, and was constrained to seek the Lord afresh. I went with my head bowed down for many days. My sins were a heavy burden. I was tempted to believe there was no mercy for me. I cried to the Lord both night and day. One night I thought hell would be my portion. I cried unto Him who delighteth to hear the prayers of a poor sinner, and all of a sudden my dungeon shook, my chains flew off, and, glory to God, I cried. My soul was filled. I cried, enough for me – the Saviour died. Now my confidence was strengthened that the LORD, for Christ’s sake, had heard my prayers and pardoned all my sins. I was constrained to go from house to house, exhorting my old companions, and telling to all around what a dear Saviour I had found!
In a meditation written years before his death, Allen said, "Let my last breath, when my soul shall leave my body, breathe forth love to Thee, my God; I entered into life without acknowledging Thee, let me therefore finish it in loving Thee; O let the last act of life be love, remembering that God is love."
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Psalms 6:1-4 –
"O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed…
Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for Thy mercies’ sake."
John 3:16 –
"For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
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VI. ORIGINAL PRAYER IN CARPENTERS’ HALL, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA TO THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS BY REVEREND JACOB DUCHE', 1774 (2,3,8,12):
It is the duty of mankind on all suitable occasions to acknowledge their dependence on The Divine Being…(that) Almighty God would mercifully interpose and still the rage of war among the nations…(and that) He would take this province under His protection, confound the designs and defeat the attempts of its enemies, and unite our hearts and strengthen our hands in every undertaking that may be for the public good, and for our defence and security in this time of danger.
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Joel 1:14 –
"Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,"
Zechariah 4:6 –
"…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Holy Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts."
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VIII. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, CONTAINING LIST OF HIS 13 LIFETIME GOALS OF VIRTUE & A PRAYER THAT HE PRAYED DAILY (3):
TEMPERENCE: …drink not to elevation.
SILENCE: ...avoid trifling conversation.
ORDER: Let all your things have their places…
RESOLUTION: …perform without fail what you resolve.
FRUGALITY: waste nothing.
INDUSTRY: Loose no time; be always employ’d…
SINCERITY: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently…
JUSTICE: Wrong none by doing injuries…
MODERATION: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting…
CLEANLINESS: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body…
TRANQUILITY: Be not disturbed at trifles…
CHASTITY: (blank)
HUMILITY: Imitate Jesus…
O Powerful Goodness! Bountiful Father! Merciful Guide! Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolution to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me.
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Mathew 22:37-40 -
"Jesus said…, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself…"
John 15:12 -
"This is My Commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
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IX. JOHN HANCOCK’S DECLARATION OF A DAY OF PUBLIC HUMILIATION, FASTING AND PRAYER AS PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, 1775 (3,8):
In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent Measure should be taken to ward off the impending Judgements…All confidence must be witheld from the Means we use; and reposed only on that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven, and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness – and all created Power Vanity;
It is the Happiness of His Church that, when the Powers of Earth and Hell combine against it…that the Throne of Grace is of the easiest access – and its Appeal thither is graciously invited by the Father of Mercies, who has assured it, that when his Children ask Bread He will not give them a Stone…
RESOLVED, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the good People of this Colony of all Denominations, that THURSDAY the Eleventh Day of May next be set apart as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer…to confess the sins…to implore the Forgiveness of all our Transgressions…and a blessing on the Husbandry, Manufactures, and other lawful Employments of this People; and especially that the union of the American Colonies in Defence of their Rights (for hitherto we desire to thank Almighty GOD) may be preserved and confirmed…And that AMERICA may soon behold a gracious Interposition of Heaven.
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Psalms 56:3-4 –
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.
In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."
Matthew 16:15-18 –
"He (Jesus) saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou (Jesus) art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered…"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
1 John 5:4-5 –
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
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X. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, CALLED FOR DAILY PRAYER AND DIVINE GUIDANCE TO OVERCOME DIFFERENCES THAT THREATENED TO MAKE ADOPTION OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IMPOSSIBLE, 1787 (3,14,46,61):
The small progress we have made after four or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other - our different sentinments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes, is methinks a melancholy proff of the imperfection of the Human Understanding.
We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdon, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which, having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution, now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.
In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding?
In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observ3ed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor.
To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?
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 can not 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 succeed in this Political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confouded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a bye word down to future ages.
And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move – that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliverations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.
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Psalms 103:17-19 -
"But the mercy of The LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;
To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared His throne in the Heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all."
Matthew 10:29-31 -
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Psalms 127:1 -
"Except The LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except The LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
Genesis 11:4-9 -
"And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And The LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Go to, let Us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
So The LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because The LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did The LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."
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XI. PATRICK HENRY, ADDRESSING THE SECOND VIRGINIA CONVENTION, 1775 (2,3,7):
For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery...It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country...
Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne (of England), and have implored its iterposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt...An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
...Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the Holy cause of Liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave...
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
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Hosea 6:1-3 -
"Come, and let us return unto The LORD; for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.
After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know The LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
Mark 8:34-38 -
"And when He (Jesus) had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation ; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
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XII. JOHN ADAMS, AS PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A., CALLED FOR A NATIONAL FAST DAY, 1799 (3):
As no truth is more clearly taught in the Volume of Inspiration, nor any more fully demonstrated by the experience of all ages, than that a deep sense and a due acknowledgement of the growing providence of a Supreme Being and of the accountableness of men to Him as the searcher of hearts and righteous distributer of rewards and punishments are conducive equally to the happiness of individuals and to the well-being of communities…
I have thought proper to recommend, and I hereby recommend accordingly, that Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of April next, be observed throughout the United States of America as a day of solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer;
That the citizens on that day abstain, as far as may be, from their secular occupation, and devote the time to the sacred duties of religion, in public and in private;
That they call to mind our numerous offenses against the most high God, confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore His pardoning mercy, through the Great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgressions, and that through the grace of His Holy Spirit, we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience to His righteous requisitions in time to come; that He would interpose to arrest the progress of that impiety and licentiousness in principle and practice so offensive to Himself and so ruinous to mankind;
That He would make us deeply sensible that "righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people"( Proverbs 14:34).
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Psalms 1:1-2 –
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD; and in His Law doth he meditate day and night."
Matthew 5:2-12 –
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
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IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN!
