Hi to my Forum Friends,
In the long running discussion begun by Contendah, titled "Football, Prayers, and the First Amendment" -- GB had written, "Congress, at the time of the Constitution, actually providing money in order that Bibles could be published. . . "
And, our atheist Friend, Jennifer, erroneously replied, "This is another untruth that you keep repeating. Congress absolutely DID NOT provide money for bibles to be published and absolutely DID NOT buy bibles."
My Friend, I do believe the following article excerpts taken from the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS web site -- show that, either you do not know your history very well -- or that you are purposely in denial in your militant effort to support the atheist religion.
I will allow the facts to speak for themselves:
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RELIGION AND THE FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/religion.html
Introduction:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/religion.html
This exhibition demonstrates that many of the colonies that in 1776 became the United States of America were settled by men and women of deep religious convictions who in the seventeenth century crossed the Atlantic Ocean to practice their faith freely. . . The result was that a religious people rose in rebellion against Great Britain in 1776, and that most American statesmen, when they began to form new governments at the state and national levels, shared the convictions of most of their constituents that religion was, to quote Alexis de Tocqueville's observation, indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions.
The efforts of the Founders of the American nation to define the role of religious faith in public life and the degree to which it could be supported by public officials that was not inconsistent with the revolutionary imperatives of the equality and freedom of all citizens is the central question which this exhibition explores.
IV. Religion and the Congress of the Confederation, 1774-89
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html
The Continental-Confederation Congress, a legislative body that governed the United States from 1774 to 1789, contained an extraordinary number of deeply religious men. The amount of energy that Congress invested in encouraging the practice of religion in the new nation exceeded that expended by any subsequent American national government. Although the Articles of Confederation did not officially authorize Congress to concern itself with religion, the citizenry did not object to such activities. This lack of objection suggests that both the legislators and the public considered it appropriate for the national government to promote a nondenominational, nonpolemical Christianity.
Congress appointed chaplains for itself and the armed forces, sponsored the publication of a Bible, imposed Christian morality on the armed forces, and granted public lands to promote Christianity among the Indians. National days of thanksgiving and of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" were proclaimed by Congress at least twice a year throughout the war. Congress was guided by "covenant theology," a Reformation doctrine especially dear to New England Puritans, which held that God bound himself in an agreement with a nation and its people.
The first national government of the United States, was convinced that the "public prosperity" of a society depended on the vitality of its religion. Nothing less than a "spirit of universal reformation among all ranks and degrees of our citizens," Congress declared to the American people, would "make us a holy, that so we may be a happy, people."
Morality in the Army:
Congress was apprehensive about the moral condition of the American army and navy and took steps to see that Christian morality prevailed in both organizations. In the Articles of War, seen below, governing the conduct of the Continental Army (seen above) (adopted, June 30, 1775; revised, September 20, 1776), Congress devoted three of the four articles in the first section to the religious nurture of the troops.
Aitken's Bible Endorsed by Congress:
The war with Britain cut off the supply of Bibles to the United States with the result that on Sept. 11, 1777, Congress instructed its Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from "Scotland, Holland or elsewhere."
On January 21, 1781, Philadelphia printer Robert Aitken (1734-1802) petitioned Congress to officially sanction a publication of the Old and New Testament which he was preparing at his own expense. Congress "highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion . . . in this country, and . . . they recommend this edition of the bible to the inhabitants of the United States." This resolution was a result of Aitken's successful accomplishment of his project.
Congressional resolution, September 12, 1782,
endorsing Robert Aitken's Bible [page 468] -- [page 469]
Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1782 from the Journals of Congress
Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (115)
Aitken's Bible:
Aitken published Congress's recommendation of September 1782 and related documents (Item 115) as an imprimatur on the two pages following his title page. Aitken's Bible, published under Congressional patronage, was the first English language Bible published on the North American continent.
The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments:
Newly translated out of the Original Tongues. . . .
Philadelphia: printed and sold by R. Aitken, 1782
Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (116)
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Jennifer, my Friend -- America was founded by Christian believers who wanted to assure the freedom of all people to worship, or not to worship, as each has chosen.
I believe these excerpts from our founding documents and founding fathers speak for themselves, loud and clear.
"In ye name of God Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, . . . Haveing undertaken, for ye Glorie of God, and advancements of ye Christian faith . . " (Mayflower Compact 1620).
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator. . ." (Declaration of Independence 1776).
"And whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress. . . " (Articles of Confederation 1777-1781)
Now, you will have to answer for yourself -- is the Great Governor of the World -- God -- or Satan? Who governs your world?
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, -- or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression -- Ratified 12/15/1791).
So, what does all this tell us?
It tells me, loud and clear, that regardless of how the anti-God crowd wants to huff and puff, no matter how loud they want to scream and yell, no matter how many signs they put on buses around the world declaring God to be "null and void" -- America was founded as a Christian nation -- and America IS A CHRISTIAN NATION. God rules!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
