America's Christian Heritage
by Gary DeMar
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gary DeMarEpilogue: D. James Kennedy
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-06
ISBN: 0805430326
Number of pages: 85
Publisher: B&H Books
Book Reviews of America's Christian Heritage
Book Review: The Truth Is Here
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Demar has written a number of fine books on America's Christian Heritage and History. He also backs up everything he writes and let's the reader know where they can get the information from (most often, from original documents).
The fact is this country was, is, and will hopefully continue to be a Christian Nation. Another reviewer states that "Law is not made by letter writers." Well, read on to see how a small phrase taken out of context from one letter is virtually ruining our great country. It concerns the myth of 'Separation of Church and State,' a passionate subject of mine.
(By the way, the following was taken from the two books written by Demar and, upon writing this review, I double checked numerous sources to make sure it is all correct).
We hear so often the term `Separation of Church and State' as being in the 1st Amendment. But nowhere in our Constitution or in any of the Amendments is this phrase to be found. In fact, for religious practices, the 1st Amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Nowhere does it even hint at a so-called separation of church and state.
So where did the separation myth come from? It came from a letter written in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson in response to the Baptists of Danbury, Connecticut when they were concerned that the government might, one day, try to regulate religious expression (sounds like the American Civil Liberties Union - a non-government entity - in our modern times, doesn't it? By the way, the ACLU began as, and still is, a communist organization.). Jefferson responded with an assurance that there was a "wall of separation between church and state" to ensure that the government would never interfere with religious activities.
For the majority of our country's existence the 1st Amendment has been understood to mean that our government was prohibited to favor a single religion over another. The national policies and rulings during the first century and a half prove this to be true, as religious doctrine has been injected in nearly every American government document composed.
Allowing schools to put up pictures of a Christmas Tree or a Menorah during the respective holiday, for an example, or to be taught `Intelligent Design' along side of the theory of evolution does, in no way, interfere or support one religious belief over another. Nor does it hinder the non-beliefs of atheists who, just like the rest of us, must learn to accept diversity. The 1st Amendment in no way supports the theory that would outlaw religion just because it may offend those of differing beliefs.
As for the continuing arguments of the separation myth, Thomas Jefferson himself, in a letter written to William Johnson in 1823 (taken from the book Thomas Jefferson: Writings Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters) stated: "On every question of construction, carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed."
It was George Washington who in 1789 issued the first presidential proclamation for prayer as he proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving: "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and to humbly implore His protection and favor..."
Also, in his 1796 Farewell Address, Washington pointed out that the two foundations for political prosperity in America were religion and morality, and that no one could be called an American patriot who attempted to separate politics from its two foundations. In that address our first president stated, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them.
And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Thomas Jefferson, our third president, declared, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure if we have removed their only firm basis, that basis is a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God, that they are not to be violated but with His wrath?"
Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates to the Constitutional Convention that, "We need God to be our friend, not our enemy; we need Him to be our ally, not our adversary; we need to make sure that we keep His concurring aid."
James Madison, the chief architect of the Constitution, said, "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government: upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
Does this sound like our Founding Fathers wanted to separate religion from government on all levels?
The myth of the so-called separation of church and state is just that - a myth. Unfortunately, this phrase has been drilled so deeply into the consciousness of Americans that most believe these actual words are in the Constitution itself! And the communist ACLU (again, look it up - they truly are a communist organization. Do you believe they have your best interest at heart?) would have you believe the very same.
It's a very sad state of the society in which we live where such an anti-American organization can rock the very laws this country was based on right off of its foundation.
These books written by Mr. Demar should be required reading in all public high schools, not the revisionist pap that's been forced upon our children.
Added 3-26-06: Please feel free to find the quotes listed in this review and put into their original context. They are readily available in their entirety and still say the exact same thing, contrary to what another reviewer has hinted.
Summary of America's Christian Heritage
y tracing the influence of faith in the shaping of America through different historical periods and institutions?Colonial America, the Colonial Constitutions, the Constitution, and our nation's capital?author Gary DeMar demonstrates the significance of Christianity in knitting the fabric of this great country.
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