President Barack Obama said in Turkey : "We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."I found this very interesting. Do you know the Preamble for your state?
Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..
Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...
Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..
Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction
Michigan 1908, Preamble We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution..
Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..
New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties...
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!
Regardless, let's all take a moment to honor those who fought and sacrificed more than we've ever dreamed of. May their lives inspire us to a higher standard of living. Thank you to those who have preserved all of our rights.
We remember.
I don't see the connection between Memorial Day and being religious/believing in God. I'm personally not religious (I believe that organized religion has done a lot of good but plenty of atrocities have been committed in its name or on the alleged behalf of God), but that doesn't mean that I don't respect or am not grateful for the sacrifice that countless scores of my fellow citizens made for my rights and my country. I do; I am.
ReplyDeleteAlso, simply listing the text of the preambles isn't all that convincing to me that a belief in God is a requirement for citizenship in our nation. I'd argue that it's more a reflection of who was involved in WRITING the preambles and their belief systems, which would generally have been white men of means. So, sure, they believed in God. Many people believe in God (I do myself). Doesn't mean everyone does or that said condition should be foisted on those who disagree, nor should they be made to feel less American or less human because their beliefs disagree from those of the status quo. The ACLU and the courts protect everyone, not just the majority. I believe that's an important thing to do, even when I disagree with a cause they have taken up.
I hope this doesn't come across as rude, because I don't intend it that way; I simply wanted to respond to your post with my own perspective.
The connection is a personal one. You're right that simply listing the text isn't all that convincing and you're also right that it's more a reflection of who was involved in writing the preambles. I am thankful that our nation was founded on Jesus and that these government declarations were formed by godly men. I am thankful for the men and women who have went to war and who fight for our country- a country based on Christian principles. Citizens from every state have sacrificed their lives.
ReplyDeleteSo it's a two-fold connection: I'm thankful for how our country started and the people who died along the way to keep it going.
That doesn't mean that only Christians can be thankful or grateful, I hope that all Americans are.
For me, to thank all the soldiers who have died, I want to thank the One who died first so that others could live.
Sacrifices, bloodshed, death.
We remember them all.
You're right that citizens from every state have sacrificed. I'd expand on that to add that so have citizens of every religion, or indeed no religion at all. I'm sure that we are all equally grateful for their sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteOur country was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic, absolutely, but I don't think Obama saying that we're "a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values" does anything to detract from that. All it does is acknowledge that not everyone is Christian, and that there's nothing wrong with that. Because there isn't anything wrong with that. It also acknowledges that no matter what our religious beliefs, we as humans share a common set of ethics; some specifics may change, and extremists from all religions (or lack of religion) do differ, but I believe that most reasonable people do share a common general morality.
I worry that some people believe that differences in religious beliefs are the be all and end all of our existence. I just think that you don't have to be a Christian to be a moral person, and you don't have to believe in God at all to still lead an ethical existence.
I'm glad you have a connection that works for you here and I appreciate your understanding that it doesn't work for me.
A few things -
ReplyDeleteChristians, Jews, and Muslims pray to the same God.
The US was not remotely "founded on Jesus". The founders were Enlightenment Deists.
None of those preambles, invoking "God Almighty", reference a specifically Christian God.
I'm a combat veteran of the US Navy, and I appreciate that you're grateful to our war dead, but I really, really don't get the point of this post.
"I just think that you don't have to be a Christian to be a moral person, and you don't have to believe in God at all to still lead an ethical existence."
ReplyDeleteVery true. Morals and religion are not exclusive to each other.
Also true that citizens of every religion, or indeed no religion at all have died. Let's expand more to include of many races, ages, and even more characteristics.
The point of this post is that Memorial Day is a day I want to remember that our country publicly aknowledged and was founded on God and that I hope it continues to stay that way.
This country was not "founded on God." If what you meant to say was that is was founded on a set of Judeo-Christian ethics, I can understand that. Don't forget however, that the first settlers of the United State came here to escape religious persecution, and the founding fathers understood that when they put Freedom of Religion in the first amendment. Our soldiers fight for all American; Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics and athests, to retain that freedom.
ReplyDelete