PORTIA WILLIAMS
PDT Staff Writer
Observing a baby bird in its mother’s nest is quite interesting.
The baby bird dwells in the safety of its mother, who hovers over her chick, protecting it from all danger and harm. Each day the baby bird grows and grows, decreasing its independence upon the mother bird. Henceforth, one day that baby bird is no longer the weak, dependent, little creature that it once was, but now has acquiesced into a strong, daunting fowl that soars right out of its mother’s nest to experience the world for itself. That baby bird is not only free to soar through the skies, and to live as it chooses to.
My friends we too have been granted freedom. In the spiritual relm the same holds true, Jesus takes us, and nutures us with immeasurable love, protection, guidance, and support. He is with us every step of the way, through the good and the bad, directing our path. Christ also gives us independence, freedom to live and to make choices.
The scriptures teach us that if the son shall make us free, we shall be free indeed! Yes, my friend, we are free. Free to soar, free to reach our highest potential. This freedom in Christ that is made readily available to us is a very powerful source. It allows us to live an abundant life.
Notice I did not say a problem-free life, for problems will still arise, but a person who embraces their freedom in Christ will not allow their problems to overtake them.
We love to celebrate Independence Day in America, but what about the most importance source of freedom that ever will be, which is freedom in Jesus Christ. Now, don’t misunderstand, I love the cookouts, the fireworks, and everything that comes with our Nation’s celebration, I just wish we could celebrate Jesus like we do for holidays and things of this world.
My friend, be safe this week, and embrace your true freedom.
Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234
You might want to do some homework on the founding fathers. Jefferson was a deist, not a Christian, as was Benjamin Franklin. John Adams and Thomas Paine were non-believers. George Washington never declared himself a Christian. James Madison stood publicly against "religious shackles."
The U.S. was founded by those wishing to escape from a nation assuming divine authority. And as stated in the 1796 Treaty with Tripoli (written during Washington's presidency and receiving a unanimous vote in the Senate), the United States was "not in any sense founded on the Christian religion."
Nowhere in the Constitution is religion mentioned, except in exclusionary terms. When the Founders wrote the nation's Constitution, they specified that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." (Article 6, section 3)
"In God We Trust" wasn't added to U.S. coins until after the civil war (1864). It first appeared on U.S. paper currency in 1964. "Under God" wasn't part of the original Pledge of Allegiance, but was added by Congress in 1954.
Yeah, the original founders were smart enough to know that the church and state should be separated, to protect the state, and to protect the church. Religious freedoms should be protected in our free nation, but the state has no business showing favoritism toward them.
Now, a lot of Christians like to lay claims to the freedom of speech that is guaranteed later in the First Amendment; and they rightfully do have that right as a citizen, as does anyone else! Christians also believe that the very first sentence in the First Amendment, gives them the rights to infringe on every other citizens guaranteed rights! Especially, if you don’t believe in their religion, faith or dogma!
Now, here is where your ignorance makes its appearance Mr. bgerald2; besides the obvious mentioned above! Separation of Church & State! Your assumption of the idea that Separation of Church & State was to protect the state from controlling the church is completely the opposite! This is a prime example of why religion and Christians are poising everything in America!
Concerning, Thomas Jefferson… The Virginia Statute was the theoretical foundation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which was adopted in 1791. Authored by Governor Thomas Jefferson, the Statute established the separation philosophy which eventually came to define America in religious terms. By eliminating official and financial support, the Statute disestablished the Anglican Church. Without providing support for the church, the church was similarly prevented from controlling the state. From this point forward, neither the church nor the state would have any control over the other.
In contrast, American states have contributed considerably to the support of religion through the mechanism of tax exemptions and assistance for schools. In particular, the Catholic Church has benefited greatly from this support. The Statute is relatively short in length and is certainly not as well-known as other documents such as the Declaration of Independence. Yet, its importance cannot be overstated for it established, for the first time, the true meaning of freedom of conscience.
Though the establishment for the Congregational Church continued in New England, its end was approaching, urged on by the example of Virginia. The Statute provided a previously undreamt of relationship for government and religion to exist in, officially ignoring each other.
Arguably, the separation which was born in the new United States is the single most defining characteristic of American history and culture. This entire ideal of Separation of Church & State was the direct result from the churches fighting over who was to be favored or not favored by the state. The constant infighting between the different churches over who wanted power within the state was and is ridiculous!
The Jefferson Bible is the “journal” you are referencing to that Jefferson wrote down. Jefferson’s Enlightenment rationalism also dealt with the Bible. He did not accept Jesus as divine and rejected all account of miracles and the resurrection. His view of scripture was not that it was the infallible word of God, but that man had corrupted it; that scripture needed to have separated “the gold from the dross.” To accomplish this separation, Jefferson took the Gospels in the New Testament (which he called “the most sublime edifice or morality which had ever been exhibited to man”) and combined them into a chronological condensation which he felt would allow Christ’s “genuine character” to be seen. Within this work, The Philosophy of Jesus Extracted from the Texts of the Evangelists (sometimes known as the “Jefferson Bible”), there is what could be considered a completely humanistic view of the life of Christ.
Jefferson wrote to John Adams in 1814: “The whole history of these books (the Gospels) is so defective and doubtful that it seems vain to attempt minute enquiry into it; and such tricks have been played with their texts, and with the texts of other books relating to them, that we have a right, from that cause, to entertain much about what parts of them are genuine.”
Instead of taking up valuable PDT space with a back and forth discussion on our founding fathers’ beliefs and the Separation of Church & State; I propose maybe having this conversation via email. Of course, if the PDT does not mind then of course neither, do I!
Just think though…If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people!
To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html
Would the floods of Noah's time be god's way of approving religious freedom? How about the 600 years of Inquisitions (1200-1800)? Or,wondering in a desert for 40 years? Is that "Real Independence"? I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same god here.
How about the thousands of young people who have been molested by bishops, priest, pastors and deacons of all denominations? I would really like to know what god or Jesus or your prayers can do for these people? These are real problems that you are suggesting can and will be taken care of by a god! It can't possibly enter an intelligent human being's mind that a supernatural entity is going to make it all better. That;s an illusionary and delusional lifestyle! The square peg will not fit into the round hole.
I don't care that religions exist...until you start treading on the rights and freedoms of all Americans! When you try and inject religion into a patriotic platform---that is offensive to me and others! Separation between Church & State was placed in our Constitution for a reason; to warn the people of any religion being able to influence government! And, this article is an attempt to insert the Christian agenda and propoganda into our secular nation! That's offensive and should be recognized as so.
I ask that folks ponder this thought for a few moments;
Is religion the minds defense mechanism to reality? Is reality so harsh that the mind creates illusions as coping mechanism for reality? Religion is the minds defense mechanism to reality---until the mind discovers; illusions are the defense mechanism of religion against reality!
I choose to live this life. Not in hopes of a second chance at another! That would mean that this life is nothing more than a test run...a discounted life because the promise of the next one will be better! Fairytales!
Friends, be safe, and embrace your "Real Independence"...Freedom to live this life without servitude!
Second, Noah's flood had nothing to do with religious freedom. It had to do with God purging his creation of the sin that totally engrossed it. You'll notice in that story that God chose a man that was righteous to preserve the human race. Also notice he was righteous, not perfect.
The inquisition was conducted by evil men, that chose to disreguard the teachings of Christ, and carried out their own evil devises. God did not do that.
The 40 years of wanderings was due to the people's sin. Once again, not God's doing. Figure this one out. You can choose to do right and you can choose to do wrong, but you can not choose the consequences.
What about the priest's and the pastor's and the bishop's sin of child molestation? I know it is horrible. I hate it myself. I work around the child molesters all day long for 40 hours a week 5 days a week. I'm a C.O in the prison system. But as bad as those things are, God did not do those thing nor did he devise those things. Those things come from the hearts of evil men. And we as a human race, have a free will. Now if we did not have that and God forced you to serve Him, you'd complain because you'd have no chioce. However, when God allows men to express their freewill, you blame the actions of men on God. He is not to blame.
The author of this article did not tread on your rights as an American either. She did not say you have to believe this and your not free to believe anything else. Also it appears to me that you feel Christians should not have the right to express the first admendment freedom of speech because of our "secular"nation. Let me adress this. Our nation is and was founded on Christian principle and you would not have the rights you have had it not been for the endorsement of the Bill of Rights by a baptist preacher. The Declaration of Independence declares that our Creator has given us "certian inalienable (inseperatable) rights among those are life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness". Every state constitution in their preamble makes references to God our creator. All 50 state constitutions. So please hang the "secular" argument up. She has as much right to share her thoughts and beliefs as you have the right to not read about her thoughts and beliefs. I fought in the military to help perserve those rights.
If religion is the "mind's defense mechanism" then the Bible is full of bad defense mechanism especially when it calls man out for what he is - a sinner. People get angry over this one point all the time because no one wants to hear he is a sinner in need of God's forgiveness and that God sent his son to offer you that forgiveness..
Can you prove the afterlife is a fairytale? Prove it.
And you do serve someone. You may not believe you do or like to admit you do, but if your like me and have bills, you serve someone.