I figured I should post something since I haven't this week. I have been fairly busy. Today I canned tomatoes all day. I need to take the time tonight and write in my kids' journals because I haven't in a few weeks. So with my extra time tonight I will be doing that, But look for an exciting (ha) post soon, right after my MIL leaves.
And since today is September 11, lets remember the families of all the loved ones that died that day and the way our country came together after the tragedy and try to keep that feeling of connectedness we had then for each other.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
History Lesson
I always find it interesting when elections roll around to learn how little some know about how our government actually works. And no, I am no expert but I know a few more of the basics than seems common. Many people seem not to know what the President can actually do as the executive leader of our country and what Congress's responsibilities really are. (More about this later). Elections also increase the talk about religion's role in government in this country. There seems to be many misconceptions that are perpetuated about the role of God and religion in the founding of our country so this post addresses some of these. I originally posted most of this info on a forum I like to go to but I wanted to put it here as well. I will preface my comments by saying I was a history major in college and American Heritage (which discussed the founding of this country) was a required course. And also I might not be completely correct, but this is what I remember from class.
The United States was founded on neither religion nor freedom of religion. Specific colonies were set up for this purpose but this country as a whole was not. We ( I am using this because it is the easiest pronoun to use, although I of course was not present in these events) declared our independence from Britain because of what we saw as unfair taxation, laws, and other measures being passed by the King and his government without adequate representation from the colonies of America (hence D.C.'s license plate taxation without representation because they somehow see their situation as similar but they should perhaps read the declaration of independence). Religion was perhaps on some peoples minds but was not directly mentioned as a reason for secession from Britain.
There honestly isn't many direct references to God in the Declaration itself (I just casually perused it and found one mention of Got and one of a Creator, which doesn't mean there aren't more I just wasn't reading super carefully). The Constitution itself (excluding the Bill of Rights) also from my skimming doesn't mention religion or God except to say that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States". It is the bill of Rights that brings up the freedom of religion. Some of the founders actually argued against a bill of rights saying it wasn't necessary with the system they were setting up but others refused to sign without one.
Separation of Church and State is not the same thing as Separation of God and State. Most if not all of the founders believed in God but many of them were agnostic or deists and did not follow any specific creed. That is why they were concerned with the separation of a specific Church and Government. Most of the countries in Europe had at least at that time a specific church that had much influence or control in government. We here saw the problems that had caused and did not want this when setting up our government. I can't remember if they had any prayers in meetings, but I know that many of the founders talked about praying individually about what to do when coming up with the Declaration and Constitution (and the War of course).
What is my point? Well I am not completely sure. I don't think the founders ever intended for no one to include their beliefs in their decisions about laws and policies. They obviously included their beliefs and asked God for help. But they also did not one anyone to be forced to worship a way in which they did not believe. The whole point was freedom from tyranny and one way to avoid tyranny was a prevent a state sponsored church. But this was not the only tyranny they wanted freedom from . .
And now I am just rambling so will stop except to include that In God We Trust was only placed on all our money within the last 100 years (if I remember correctly and I don't feel like looking it up so correct me if I am wrong), and that God was included in the pledge relatively recently as well. So maybe my point is we are using God's name more in these days but actually getting farther away from policies and actions that He would support? Just an idea.
The United States was founded on neither religion nor freedom of religion. Specific colonies were set up for this purpose but this country as a whole was not. We ( I am using this because it is the easiest pronoun to use, although I of course was not present in these events) declared our independence from Britain because of what we saw as unfair taxation, laws, and other measures being passed by the King and his government without adequate representation from the colonies of America (hence D.C.'s license plate taxation without representation because they somehow see their situation as similar but they should perhaps read the declaration of independence). Religion was perhaps on some peoples minds but was not directly mentioned as a reason for secession from Britain.
There honestly isn't many direct references to God in the Declaration itself (I just casually perused it and found one mention of Got and one of a Creator, which doesn't mean there aren't more I just wasn't reading super carefully). The Constitution itself (excluding the Bill of Rights) also from my skimming doesn't mention religion or God except to say that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States". It is the bill of Rights that brings up the freedom of religion. Some of the founders actually argued against a bill of rights saying it wasn't necessary with the system they were setting up but others refused to sign without one.
Separation of Church and State is not the same thing as Separation of God and State. Most if not all of the founders believed in God but many of them were agnostic or deists and did not follow any specific creed. That is why they were concerned with the separation of a specific Church and Government. Most of the countries in Europe had at least at that time a specific church that had much influence or control in government. We here saw the problems that had caused and did not want this when setting up our government. I can't remember if they had any prayers in meetings, but I know that many of the founders talked about praying individually about what to do when coming up with the Declaration and Constitution (and the War of course).
What is my point? Well I am not completely sure. I don't think the founders ever intended for no one to include their beliefs in their decisions about laws and policies. They obviously included their beliefs and asked God for help. But they also did not one anyone to be forced to worship a way in which they did not believe. The whole point was freedom from tyranny and one way to avoid tyranny was a prevent a state sponsored church. But this was not the only tyranny they wanted freedom from . .
And now I am just rambling so will stop except to include that In God We Trust was only placed on all our money within the last 100 years (if I remember correctly and I don't feel like looking it up so correct me if I am wrong), and that God was included in the pledge relatively recently as well. So maybe my point is we are using God's name more in these days but actually getting farther away from policies and actions that He would support? Just an idea.
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