Hi to my Forum Friends,
In another discussion begun by our atheist Friend, Robust, and titled "The X Commandments" in his typical "let's denigrate anything Christian" arrogance -- as though typing Ten was such a great effort that he could only manage to type X. Well, maybe he is getting somewhat frail and possibly typing three letters instead of one is too much for him.
In this discussion I gave the following response to Jennifer's question, "One more point. Since no one, Christians included, even follows ALL the 10 Commandments -- why are they so hot to have them posted in public buildings?"
"Actually, you will find that it is our governing bodies who have put Christian writings and symbols on the public buildings in Washington DC. You will find the Ten Commandments, Moses, and other Christian symbols prominent in and on the Supreme Court Building . . . On the top of the Washington Monument, you will find a Christian statement -- and on many other buildings and monuments in our nation's capital. If you will do your homework, you will find that the federal buildings in Washington DC, in the early years of our country, were used on Sunday as houses of worship.
And, you will find that the First Continental Congress allocated funds to purchase 20,000 Bibles to be distributed throughout the Thirteen Colonies -- and that same Congress funded the start-up of a printing company in Boston -- to print Bibles. All of our initial institutes of higher learning, i.e., Harvard, Yale, William & Mary, etc. -- were all begun as Christian schools -- to raise up more clergy.
Yes, I would say the Ten Commandments and Christianity are firmly planted in the roots of our nation. Yes, sir, America was founded as a Christian nation -- and America is still a Christian nation -- even though, in our gracious Christian brotherhood, we even allow atheists to continue to live here."
And, my Friend, Crusty, replied in his typical suave, sophisticated manner, "You're a liar!" Well, actually, he wrote, "Your statement in red is a lie, it has been repeatedly shown as a lie, and yet you continue to throw it out and hope it sticks."
The portion of my post which Crusty claims is a lie is this: "And, you will find that the First Continental Congress allocated funds to purchase 20,000 Bibles to be distributed throughout the Thirteen Colonies -- and that same Congress funded the start-up of a printing company in Boston -- to print Bibles."
So, to set the record straight, let's take a look at a page from the Library of Congress:
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RELIGION AND THE FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html
IV. Religion and the Congress of the Confederation, 1774-89
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. . . 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."
Aitken's Bible Endorsed by Congress:
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html
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 469. Congressional resolution, September 12, 1782, endorsing Robert Aitken's Bible...page 468. Aitken's Bible Endorsed by Congress
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)
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The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Newly translated out of the Original Tongues. . . . 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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So, Crusty, I pray we have put this all to bed once and for all time. The story of the 20,000 Bibles is true, the story of Congress funding a printing of the Aitken's Bible is true. And, the fact that America was founded as a Christian nation -- and is still a Christian nation -- IS TRUE!
The original documents from the Congressional Record are shown in the photos below.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill