21. CHURCH AND STATE French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!“ “For Americans, the ideas of Christianity and liberty are so completely mingled that it is almost impossible to get them to conceive of the one without the other…”
23. CHURCH AND STATE Depends On How The Term Christian Nation Is Defined. Every Nation Is Founded On Certain Basic Principles Or Values, And Those Values Have Their Source In Religious Belief. If by Christian nation one means a nation in which everyone is a Christian, or in which only Christians are welcome, or in which non-Christians are second-class citizens. If by the term Christian nationone means a nation that was founded on Biblical values that were brought to the nation by its Founding Fathers who were Christians or influenced by God’s Word.
24. CHURCH AND STATE So, how do we know that our Founding Fathers were Christians and/or influenced by God? By the documents which established this nation. Mayflower Compact 1620 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639 Maryland Religious Toleration Act of 1649 Seven of the original 13 Colonies were founded for religious purposes. Declaration of Independence 13 State Constitutions all acknowledged God----Today, all 50 State Constitutions acknowledged God.
25. CHURCH AND STATE So, how do we know that our Founding Fathers were Christians and/or influenced by God? Their own religious beliefs (55 writers of U.S. Constitution) 28 Episcopalians 8 Presbyterians 7 Congregationalists 2 Reformed 2 Lutherans 2 Methodists 2 Roman Catholics 1 unknown 3 Deists
26. CHURCH AND STATE So, how do we know that our Founding Fathers were Christians and/or influenced by God? Their own words. Analyzing the historical record.
27. CHURCH AND STATE So, As We Have Reviewed What The Founding Fathers Said And Intended, What Do You Think They Would Say About Our County Today? Disallowing Christian Practice in Government and Public Removing Prayer, 10 Commandments & the Bible from Schools Teaching Evolution in Schools Legalizing / Promoting Abortion Promoting Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide Promoting / Celebrating Homosexuality Same Sex marriage is equal to traditional marriage
29. CHURCH AND STATE True Meaning of“Separation of Church and State” First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
30. CHURCH AND STATE “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise there of” TWO CLAUSES Establishment clause Free Exercise clause
31. CHURCH AND STATE Government CANNOT establish a national religion or promote one religion over another and must stay neutral in regards to religion is referred to as the ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE
32. CHURCH AND STATE Government CANNOT stop you from worshipping as you please is referred to as the FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE
