We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Today is the 239th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and as John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail of this day, we still remember it all these years later with fireworks and celebrations. I don’t know of many Nations that were founded upon such a concept; the equality of all people, and if I may say so, we Americans can be justifiably proud of this. Of course the truth is that we haven’t always done the best job of living up to these principles, and we are still a work in progress and an experiment worth working on in the hope that one day our Union will be a perfect one. Yes, this is a worthy and lofty goal.
We have always been a People that pulls together in a crisis, we have always been a generous people and an industrious People. Yes, with all due respect to those of other lands, I think we Americans can pause and reflect well on our country today.
As sacred as these words are to many of us, they are not Scripture, but a social compact; the work of men. On this day of all days, I think we should remember that. The thing I find most impressive about these words is the fact that in our first National document, our founders recognized the one thing that makes us different from most others, the fact that we recognize that our rights and liberties come not from the State, but from God alone. These were men who believed that their former government had begun to rescind their rights as citizens, in fact many thought that their government had never recognized them as Englishmen at all, but as mere Colonials who were subservient to Englishmen generally.
But the Rights of Man come only from Almighty God.
I hope that today, as we celebrate once again our independence, that we will ponder this fundamental question: Were the founders right; do human rights come from God, or are they granted by the State? I ask this because in today’s world, this foundational proposition is not very popular. In this time when constitutions are said to live and breathe and change in their meanings to suit the current expedience, many seem to think that rights come from Court decisions, and that they can be given and taken away .
So, why not think it over… and then tell us what you think?
Life Project Blog 
Having equality and Bible-based constitutional rights are not as unique as Americans commonly believe. Do a little research on this and you’ll see. You will also find that most, if not all, are bad at living up to such ideals. No constitution can guarantee personal relationship with our Saviour. In the end, it is just a new religious tradition of man. In my country, it even secured a communist take-over.
As it happens I ve done the research, and a government founded on that principle is rare indeed; a government that follows that principle is no longer to be found.
I personally find the Declaration of Independence a contradiction when slavery was legal. Equality involves all peoples but to be fair, that seems to be a struggle thw world over.That said, that doesnt mean we should give up trying. xx Rowena
I would agree with you.
It’s an interesting one, isn’t it?! Quite often there’s those subtle exclusions but the contrast between the Declaration of Independence and slavery is quite a gulf. Hope you had a great day, anyway. While we acknowledge the darker side of some of these national days, it’s still good to get out there and enjjoy the party and celebrate the good. Blessings Rowena
Thanks!
If you read the history of the creation of the Declaration, there was much debate over the issue, and freedom for all was part of the original document. However, a full signatory could not be obtained without the south so, with the regret of the other states, the clause had to be removed. The creators of the document acknowledged that we, as a nation, would have to correct it eventually, but it would never have happened had the nation not come into existence first.
We still have a long way to go, and America has never been fair to everyone, but eventually we come around and correct our problems. Discrimination will never be wiped from the face of the earth, but it is becoming less accepted throughout most of the world. I think we need to be proud of what we have done to contribute to it.
Thank you so much for filling me in. I understand the need for baby steps when it comes to any kind of change. Yes, not getting anything done while waiting for the perfect scenario would have been a dreadful thing. That reminds me of some of my writing projects which I’ve put on hold…humph!!
One small thought. Does it matter from whence “these rights” come – more than how I hold, use and live my “unalienable rights”? Have a great day 🙂
I would suggest that the distinction is about as significant as any public policy question could ever be. 🙂
Reblogged this on Just a Thought… and commented:
But the Rights of Man come only from Almighty God.
I think of what Bill Maher once said on his show. He made a sarcastic joke that Jesus flew down and created the U.S. , that in his words, what Christians think. He pointed out the well educated, mostly Ivy League educated, lawyers that created our constitiution and thus our country. For better or worse.
I would like to think it was a mix of both. Educated men thinking, “hey notice the Bible scriptures on freedom. Why don’t we give this a try and see what happens? Might work.”. I am sure they figured there would be issues and challenges as the years go on but it is still intact.
Just one thought… Our country is still relatively young compared to others. Perhaps the U.S. is like in some form of a “teenage experimentation or rebellion” at this moment in history? The wild outrages looks and behaviors. We are like storming off and yelling and slamming doors at 10 p.m. at night. Okay, shades of my daughter on a worknight for me.
Definately some thought for an odd celebration day for Gigi, Shelby, and I. A birthday celebration for twin grand nephews because the fourth is the only time. Then honoring the holiday and also being part of a wedding reception. A first.
Don (and all on his blog page),have a fun and safe Independence Day weekend.
Thanks ole buddy!
Reblogged this on and commented:
Christians let’s VOTE in 2016 to END this unGODly insanity the Democrat party has been cramming down our throats !
Don, whether not you believe in a god it is difficult to believe that rights are granted through a government. Governments can protect those rights, or they can remove them, but they cannot grant them. Even in China life occurs from the union of two people, the government may grant the couple permission to have a child, but it cannot prevent a child from being born without their permission. In the end, once conceived, they can only take that life away. Sadly, they have done that far too often, a situation we did not consider fully when granting them “Most Favored Nation” status.
I would agree that that’s how it ought to be…
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