One Nation Under God?

Declaration of Independence. Moreover, the Congress, under both the Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution, authorized (on more than one occasion) the printing and distribution of Bibles. It also provided for taxpayer-funded chaplains in both houses of Congress and for the military.

When George Washington became President, it was the Congress that requested of him an overtly religious Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, which he gladly and quickly issued. (Congress did this, by the way, on the same day it approved the wording of the First Amendment). The list goes on and on. The examples are virtually endless.

While the Founders were adamantly committed to religious freedom (some, like Jefferson, more so than others), they all nevertheless shared a belief that government should, to at least some extent, encourage a "solemn acts of devotion to" and a "firm reliance on...Almighty God."

The evidence of history seems abundantly clear. A national Pledge of Allegiance, recognizing America's submission to God, would draw no objection from the Founding Fathers. One wonders then why some of us today would find it so objectionable.

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Several Internet sites were consulted for this article, including:

http://www.FindLaw.com

http://www.EarlyAmerica.com

http://www.wallbuilders.com

http://www.aclu.org

In addition, the following books were used as a reference:

Barton, David, Original Intent: The Courts, The Constitution, & Religion. Wallbuilder Press, 1996

McClellan, James, Liberty, Order and Justice: An Introduction to The Constitutional Principles of American Government. James River Press, 1991

Seldes, George, ed; The Great Quotations, Castle Books, 1966

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