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Church and Country
"Supreme Court Decisions"
"In 1811 (People vs. Riggles) the Supreme Court declared "We are a Christian people."
In 1844, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the city of Philadelphia was correct in refusing money for a "non-religious school" (Vital vs. Gerard Executors). They said, "the plan of education proposed is anti-Christian, and therefore repugnant to the law... The purest principles of morality are to be taught. Where are they found? Whoever searches for them must go to the source from which a Christian man derives his faith - the Bible... There is an obligation to teach what the Bible alone can teach, a pure system of morality."
Their unanimous ruling also said, "It is also said, and truly, that the Christian religion is a part of the common law of Pennsylvania."
In 1844 the Supreme Court ruled that the rights of American citizens were God given. In 1885 the court ruled polygamy as illegal because it was contrary to "Christian common law". This was repeated in 1889 and 1890.
It is true that since 1961 there have been Supreme Court decisions that ruled contrary to these decisions. However these decisions go against all previous Supreme Court decisions. It is also true the some recent Supreme Court decisions have acknowledged America's Christian heritage (1985 Lynch vs. Dounelly, 1985 Wallace vs. Jafree).
In 1982 (Church of the Holy Trinity vs. United States) the court declared; [Among other matters note the following: The form of oath universally prevailing, concluding with an appeal to the Almighty; the custom of opening sessions of all deliberative bodies and most conventions with prayer; the prefatory words of all wills. "In the name of God, Amen"; the laws respecting the observance of the Sabbath, with the general cessation of all secular business, and the closing of courts, legislatures, and other similar public assemblies on that day; the churches and church organizations which abound in every city, town and hamlet; the multitude of charitable organizations existing everywhere under Christian missions in every quarter of the globe.These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation.]
In 1931 Supreme Court Justice George Sutherland reviewed the 1892 decision and stated "We are a Christian people".
In 1952 the liberal Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas declared "We are a religious people and our institutions presuppose a Supreme Being." (Zorech vs. Clauson)
All sessions of the Supreme Court are called into session by the Court Clerk with this phrase: "God save the United States and this honorable Court."" (Stringer 22-3)
"Observations of Supreme Court Justices"
"Every session of the Supreme Court begins with this statements "God save the United States and this honorable court, " and with prayers.
Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer (1890-1910) used to present a lecture entitled "The United States a Christian Nation". It said in part ["This Republic is classified among the Christian nations of the world." It was so formally declared by the Supreme Court of the United States. In the case of Holy Trinity Church vs. United States, 143 U.S. 471, that Court, after mentioning various circumstances, added, "these and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation." (Unanimous opinion, Feb. 29, 1892)
But in what sense can it be called a Christian nation? Not in the sense that Christianity is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it. On the contrary, the Constitution specifically provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Neither is it Christian in the sense that all its citizens are either in free scope within our orders. Numbers of our people profess other religions, and many reject all. Nor is it Christian in the sense that a profession of Christianity is condition of holding office or otherwise engaging in the public service, or essential to recognition either politically or socially. In face the Government as a legal organization is independent of all religions.
Nevertheless, we constantly speak of this republic as a Christian nation - in fact, as the leading Christian nation of the world. This popular use of the term certainly has significance. It is not a mere creation of the imagination. It is not a term of derision but has substantial basis - one which justifies its use."]
In his commentary on the First Amendment, Joseph Story wrote: "The first object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less to advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism, or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity, but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects [denominations] and to prevent any national ecclesiastical patronage of the national government."
First Chief Justice John Jay wrote: "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
Supreme Court Justice John McLean (1829-1861) wrote: "No one can estimate or describe the salutary influence of the Bible. What would the world be without it? Compare the dark places of the earth, where the light of the Gospel has not penetrated, with those where it has been proclaimed and embraced in all its purity. Life and immortality are brought to light by the Scriptures."
Thomas Clark (appointed to the Supreme Court in the late 1940's) wrote: "The Founding Fathers believed devoutly that there was a God and that the unalienable rights of man were rooted - not in the state, nor the legislature, nor in many other human power - but in God alone."
These statements by Supreme Court Justices indicate how widely understood America's Christian heritage was until the secularism of the last few years." (Stringer 24-5)
"Presidential Proclamations"
"On September 24, 1789 Congress called President Washington to proclaim a national day of prayer and thanksgiving. Then on January, 1795 President Washington called for his national day of thanksgiving; this was to be observed on Thursday Feb. 19th." (paraphrased Stringer 26-7)
As you can tell, this country was founded on the morals of the Bible given to us by Yahweh himself. As long as our country follows those guidelines, and keeps the justice system clean. Our country will thrive. Once it fails to follow YeHoVah, then our country will fall. Just like the Israel did from the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egypt, and then ruled by the Persians. We too will fall to a ruling country if we do not shape up.
Quoted By
Stringer, Phil. Fifty Demonstrations of America's Christian Heritage. Fort Pierce: Faith Baptist Church Publications, 1998. Print.