3 secular reasons for “Under God”
William J. Federer’s book "Three Secular Reasons Why America Should Be Under God" says (starting on page 73):
America’s founders had a "deity-based" belief system.
Why? Because:
- Your RIGHTS cannot be taken away by the government if they come from a power "higher" than the government – i.e. God;
- There is no second class citizens if each person is EQUAL because each is made in the image of God;
- You can live in freedom with few laws if the populous keeps internal laws because they are conscious of the ACCOUNTABILITY to God.
Government cannot be religion "neutral."
It will always have thoughts underlying its actions. It will always have a belief system – a religion.
The choice is "whose belief system" will be the basis for the government’s actions.
If our founder’s "deity-based" belief system is removed, then what is based on that belief ends.
In 1786, Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Treasurer of the U.S. Mint, wrote Thoughts Upon the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic, 1786:
" I beg leave to remark that the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid on the foundation of religion.
Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of al republican governments.
Such is my veneration for every religion that reveals the attributes of the Deity, or a future state of rewards and punishments, that I had rather see the opinions of Confucious or Mohamed inculcated upon our youth than to see them grow up wholly devoid of a system of religious principles.
But the religion I mean to recommend in this place is of the New Testament.
It is not my purpose to hint at the arguments which establish the truth of the Christian revelation.
My only business is to declare that all its doctrines and precepts are calculated to promote the happiness of society and the safety and wellbeing of civil government.
A Christian cannot fail of being a republican… for every precept of the Gospel inculcates those degrees of humility, self-denial, and brotherly kindness which are directly opposed to the pride of monarchy….
A Christian cannot fail of being useful to the republic, for his religion teaches him that no man ‘liveth to himself.’
And lastly a Christian cannot fail of being wholly inoffensive, for his religion teaches him in all things to do to others what he would wish, in like circumstances, they should do to him."
And now I ask Pat Power, would you welcome what you are doing to me, to be done to yourself?
And to all others, I hope you will help me live up to the standards of Truth that have been revealed through the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is what is called True love.
