Almost immediately after the Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1787 there was a recognition of a need for further constitutional provision, to include guarantee of certain basic human rights. To satisfy that need, the first 10 amendments were adopted, the first of which includes a provision which we know as separation of church and state. Over the past two or three decades, this declaration has come to be interpreted in a way that our founding fathers had never intended.
It is commonly understood that many early settlers came to America with little more than the Bible under their arms, and a profound faith in God embedded in their hearts and demonstrated in their lives. They humbly accepted the Bible as the guide for their lives. It was this Bible , and this faith which also directed the lives and motives of founding fathers of our great nation, and provided the basis for the formation of that , new nation.
Many of the early settlers left their homeland because the government had established a state church, and required Christians to worship God according to the precepts of that church. Certain beliefs and practices of the state church were contrary to what these people understood to be according to the Word of God—the Bible. They set out in search of a land in which they could exercise religious liberty and freedom of worship. Therefore, from these experiences a provision was included in the First Amendment to protect this new land from establishment of a state church: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Separation of church and state has come to be interpreted as separation of God and state. In our present “enlightened” age, it is considered outdated to uphold God as Sovereign over the entire universe, and the Bible as the infallible, authoritative and ultimate guide and rule for that universe; and that every person is a sinner in need of God’s salvation.
Such underlying principles are viewed as degrading, and ultimately stand in the way of selfish human ambitions and endeavors. Therefore, any recognition of God and His Word must be removed from government, from education and from as much of society as possible.
America has come to a point in its history where the Supreme Court has become its god, and the American Civil Liberties Union the self-proclaimed angels of that god. The American system is increasingly turning to the Supreme Court for authoritative and ultimate answers on a wide range of issues. If that body refers to the Constitution as its sole basis without also relying on the principles contained in God’s Word, the results will be moral decay in our land.
It has become the American way of life for the masses to demand their “rights” even at the expense of other’s rights. Without Biblical basis, the Bill of Rights is in grave jeopardy.
In recent years the concept of church and state separation has been perverted by the ACLU, the press and media, politicians and even certain clergymen, as well as by the high court to mean hostility to recognizing God. As a result, the American people are now being bombarded with criticism of President Reagan for his support of prayer in public schools; his support of private and parochial school tuition tax credits; his stand against abortion; with his general, consistent and forthright candor in upholding religious principles; and for proclaiming 1983, as the Year of the Bible in the U.S. with a Senate and House joint resolution.
Throughout its history, the U.S. continues to be a haven of refuge fo r countless seeking a land of freedom of various sorts. Along with some of these people have come many forms of religion other than the one proclaimed in the Bible. According to the First Amendment, these people are all privileged to enjoy the freedom to worship according to their particular beliefs. Although our nation guarantees just constitutional freedom to all religions within its borders, the Bible declares,–“I am the Lord your ·God, and you shall have no other gods besides me.”
President Reagan is in no way hindering anyone from worshipping according to the dictates of his or her own heart and conscience. Nor is he forcing an official religion on any American citizens. He is merely, at long last, giving leadership in recognition of the principles of the Bible, which have made America great and blessed. President Andrew Jackson described the Bible as, “The rock on which our Republic rests.” At his farewell address upon leaving office, President George Washington admonished, “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thursday, April 30, 1863, as aNational Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. Of this beautiful proclamation only the opening statements are quoted here. “Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and Just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer :md humiliation; And whereas, it is the duty of nations, :ts well as of men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord . . . .” The recent resolution declaring 1983, as the Year of the Bible, has much in common with this proclamation of 120 years ago.
At his inauguration, President Reagan took the oath of office with his hand on the Bible opened to 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” That same book also states, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” Psalm 33: 12.
God has been Lord of America from its beginning, throughout some 200 years. The battle appears to be fierce and often subtle to separate God and state. Separation of church and state is noble, but separation of God and state will only find our nation cut off from enjoying the continued blessings which have made this a truly great nation.
