AMERICAN CHRISTIAN HERITAGE.

Excerpts From the Book, United States a Christian Nation by David Josiah Brewer.    

David Josiah Brewer was the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 1890-1910

Why is this important? It is important because the testimony of no less than Supreme Court Justice concerning a nation and its identity is authoritative.  It is a credible source..

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FACTS:

Preamble.  

What is the significance of having a nation with Christian heritage?

It is seen from the past even in the history of Israel that the religion, philosophy or belief of kings or rulers trickle down to the nation. 

Pagan or ungodly kings of Israel misled and brought destruction or God’s judgement to the whole nation of Israel. Good kings on the other hand such as of Judah brought blessings of prosperity and peace to the nation.

American Christian heritage brought about the blessings of greatness and prosperity to the nation.

A wise man will keep it that way.

This phenomenon of trickle down culture was seen in the Medieval ages as well . The Christians knew this and were interested in converting kings thereby converting whole populace.

The commentary below is from Wikipedia. Extract taken from the topic on st Augustine of Canterbury who was a prior at St Andrews monastery in Rome but was sent on a mission by pope Gregory who was at that time the pope and also the Abbot of the monastery. The mission known as the Gregorian Mission was to convert King Æthelberht of the Kingdom of Kent. The populace of this kingdom which was at the south eastern part of Britain were Anglo Saxons . These saxon settlers were invaders from Germany and they were pagans. They would not conform to the Christian Religion that was in Britain. At that time the Romans had left Britain with some Christianity in them but that Christianity of the English unfortunately produced Pelagius and some Arians as well. This was not what the Roman Catholic want. 

Now pope Gregory took up the burden to send on mission (Augustine) to convert the Saxons and with the hope of spreading Christianity throughout England. He was to reach this goal by first converting King ÆTHELBERHT 

Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury was successful in that mission and is considered the Apostle to the English, and the founder of the English Church.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Canterbury

...Gregory mentions the date of Æthelberht's conversion,[31] but it probably took place in 597.[30][c] In the early medieval period, large-scale conversions required the ruler's conversion first, and Augustine is recorded as making large numbers of converts within a year of his arrival in Kent.[30] Also, by 601, Gregory

The Bible is replete with scripture texts citing many kings whose behavior or laws led Israel and Judah to sin and a few who led the nations into revival and blessings.  1Ki 14:15-16,   1Ki 16:25-26   Isaiah 3:12 

2Chr 21:11

Indeed blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Ps 33:12

 America is Classified as a Christian Nation

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."

....The United States a Christian Nation: Justice Josiah Roy Brewer (Kindle edition)

....we classify nations in various ways as for instance, by their form of government. One is a kingdom, another an empire, and still another a republic. Also by race. Great Britain is an Anglo Saxon nation, France a Gallic,

Germany a Teutonic, Russia a Slav. And still again by religion. One is a Mohammedan nation, others are heathen, and still others are Christian nations. 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."

First President Inaugural Speech. George Washinghton

It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States ...

.First inaugural address of George Washington 

Sunday Worship Service at the Capitol. Thomas Jefferson 

Thomas Jefferson was instrumental in the establishment of Sunday Worship at the Capitol He travelled even in bad weather on horseback to the service every Sunday. His own words:

"No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion. Nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I, as Chief Magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example."  

President Jefferson even closed presidential documents with “In the year of our Lord Christ” 

Source:

Sources: (1) February 18, 1801, available in the Maryland Diocesan Archives; The First Forty Years of Washington Society, Galliard Hunt, editor (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1906), p. 13; (2) Life, Journal, and Correspondence of Rev. Manasseh Cutler (Cincinnati: Colin Robert Clarke & Co., 1888), Vol. II, p. 119, in a letter to Dr. Joseph Torrey on January 3, 1803; see also his entry of December 26, 1802 (Vol. II, p. 114).

The Year Of The Bible Congress

• 1982 congress passed by a joint resolution ; ([S.J.Res. 165] 96 Stat. 1211 Public Law 97-280 - October 4, 1982). to declare 1983 as the year of the bible. It is interesting to note the reasonable points on which it was based.

Whereas the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people;

Whereas deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early settlement of our Nation;

Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the constitution of the United States;

Whereas many of our great national leaders­ among them Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilson ­paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in our country's development, as the words of President Jackson that the Bible is “the rock on which our Republic rests”;

Whereas the history of our Nation clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals, families, and societies;

Whereas this Nation now faces great challenges that will test this Nation as it has never been tested before; and

Whereas that renewing of our faith in the God of the Holy Scriptures

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 a substantial basis one which justifies its use. Let usr knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national “Year of the Bible” in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our Nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

http://www.acheritagegroup.org/newsletter.html

On Separation of Church and State: Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. 1811-1845

"Thus, the whole power over the subject of religion was left exclusively to the State governments, to be acted on according to their own sense of justice, and the State Constitutions."

The pledge of Allegiance ' One Nation Under God'. Added in June 14:1953. Essienhower, Docherty, Blowman

• Original Idea was from Chaplain Luis A Bowman of the Illinois Soceity of The Sons of The American Revolution 

At a meeting on February 12, 1948, Lincoln's Birthday, he led the Society in swearing the Pledge with two words added, "under God." He stated that the words came from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. From that point there were other efforts made by groups and individuals to have the words "under God" added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

• On Feb 7 1954 Rev George Macpherson Docherty preached a sermon in New York Avenue Presbyterian Church when President Essienhower was present. In the sermon anticipating the coming lincoln's birthday (Feb 12 1954) he apologetically pointed out that the nation is strong and unique because of her sense of being a nation Under God as described by Lincoln and lamented God is not mentioned in the pledge. He discussed that with President Essienhower after service and the president presented it to congress and it was passed by joint resolution in June 14 1954

      http://www.acheritagegroup.org/newsletter.html

Socialism failed: Governor Bradford

The colony initially practiced a form of socialized agriculture in the belief that it put them all "on an equality throughout." But, this didn't produce enough food, so the Pilgrims decided to allow "each man to plant corn for his own household." Bradford wrote: This was very successful

The Religious Belief of most of the Founders:

FOUNDING FATHERS ON CHRISTIANITY, THE BIBLE,  GOD THE FATHER , JESUS CHRIST  AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

Charles Thompson : first translation of the Septuagint to English

Benjamin Rush: formed abolition movt. Educator , founded 5 colleges and universities , started the first Sunday School movt. 1791, first American Bible society 1808 obtained congressional approval to mass print the bible with stereo type printing system in americas first, founder of first American women college, father of medicine, trained 3000 medical students. Stereo type printing .

(Pennsylvania Hospital

Charles Carroll. Last of the 56 that singed the constitution to die. Religious liberty advocate

       Found a Christian house of worship

Thomas Macain : governor and Supreme Court chief judge Pennsylvania gives counsel to the deathroll convict

John Hancock. Gov of Massachusetts issued many proclamations calling the state to prayer and thanksgiving That all the world would bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ and the whole world will be full of his glory.

Oct 15 1791"

Samuel Adams : Influential for declaration independence : leader of Boston tea party. Father of America revolution. Gov of Massachusetts . Issued the 1795 proclamation for prayer and thanksgiving : 

.. That the peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind

1797 .. Speedily bringing that holy and happy period when the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be established and all the people willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is the Prince of Peace

The Aitken Bible. 9/12/ 1782

The printing of America's very first very own English bible by Robert Aitken . Approved by congress and recommended by congress for all citizens.  

Washington : resignation letter. Prayed that ....,God would have your u and the state over which you preside in his holy protection that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government. That if we don't imitate Jesus we would not be a happy nation

James a Garfield 20th president . At a revival preached the gospel in the revival 19 times 34 coming to Christ and 31 baptized.

John Quincy Adams: : 4th of July speech. That the birthday of the nation was next to the birthday of our savior 1837. 

...is it not that in the chain of human events the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the savior?

That it forms a leading event in the progress of the gospel dispensation

Daniel Webster. Secretary of congress . Memorized 60-70 scripture as a genius in a weekend to win a jack knife 

Jonathan Thrumbull. Retired to continue with religion 

Roger Sherman . Theologian His own creed was adopted by his church. I believe in the Father The son and the Hoky Spirit

Roger Sherman A theologian 

William Samuel Johnson. Signed of the Constitution. 1st president of Columbia university Speaking at a graduation of the school.

      Your first great duty you owe to Heaven ,Your creator and your Redeemer is to exemplify in your lives and conduct piety towards God .... For the fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom . In Him you have your being.....

The Decalogue 

The Ten Commandments have traditionally been displayed in court houses.  Recently under left wing Administrations it was banned but lately installed back as the right government and constructive judges 

http://christianity.about.com/od/independenceday/a/foundingfathers.htm

THE SUPREME COURT RULINGS

Highlights:

United States Supreme Court 1952 in the case of ZORACH V CLAUSON, 343 US 306 307 313, 

Justice William O. Douglas delivered the court decision:

The 1st Amendment however does not say that in every respect there shall be a separation of Church and State. Rather it studiously defines the manner and specific ways in which there shall be no concert, union or dependency one on the other.

That is the common sense of the matter. Otherwise the state and church would be aliens to each other hostile, suspicious and even unfriendly…. Municipalities would not be permitted to render police or fire protection to religious groups. Policemen who helped parishioners into their places of worship would violate the constitution. Prayers in our legitimate halls, the appeals to the Almighty in the messages of the Chief Executive, the proclamations making Thanksgiving Day a holiday; “so help me God” in our courtroom oaths- these and all other references to the Almighty that run our laws, our public rituals, our ceremonies would be flouting the First Amendment.   

A fastidious atheist or agnostic could even object to the supplication with which the Court opens each session: God save the United States and this Honorable Court.

We are a religious people and our institutions presuppose a Supreme Being……When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions.

For IT THEN RESPECTS THE RELIGIOUS NATURE OF OUR PEOPLE AND ACCOMMODATES THE PUBLIC SERVICE TO THEIR RELIGIOUS NEEDS.

To hold that, it may not would to find in the Constitution a requirement that the government show a callous indifference to religious groups.

THAT WOULD BE PREFERRING THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN NO RELIGION OVER THOSE WHO DO BELIEVE….

We find no constitutional requirement, makes it necessary for government to be hostile to religion and to throw its weight against the efforts to widen the scope of religious influence.

The government must be neutral when it comes to competition between sects.

We cannot read into the bill of rights such philosophy of hostility to religion. (From America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations.- pg 603-604 William J Federer.

UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT 1963 in case of school district Abington Township v Schrempp 347 US 203,212,225 (1963) pp.21,71, records. Associate Justice Tom Clark, writing the courts opinion.

It is true that religion has been closely identified with our history and government. As we said in Engle v Vitale, “The History of man is inseparable from the history of religion “

Secularism is unconstitutional….preferring those who do not believe over those who believe…it is the duty of the government to deter no-belief religions…Facilities of government offend religious principles…

The state may not establish a ‘religion of secularism’ in the sense of affirmatively opposing or showing hostility to religion, thus preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe.

It might well be said that one’s education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and it’s relationship to the advancement of civilization. It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be effected consistently with the First Amount. 

From America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations.- pg 603-604 William J Federer.

EFFECTS OF KICKING PRAYER OUT OF SCHOOL SINCE JUNE 25 1962:

https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2012/07/29/50-years-later-how-school-prayer-ruling-changed-america/#:~:text=Fifty%20years%20ago%20this%20week,outrage%20was%20immediate%20and%20widespread.

Statistics From 1960 -2011

Since the court outlawed prayer, the nation has been in steady moral decline. Former Secretary of Education, William Bennet, revealed in his cultural indexes that between 1960 and 1990 divorce doubled, teenage pregnancy went up 200 percent, teen suicide increased 300 percent, violent crime went up 500 percent and he maintains that there is a strong correlation between the expulsion of prayer from our schools and decline in morality.

https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/education-expert-removing-bible-prayer-public-schools-has-caused-decline

On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that a prayer approved by the New York Board of Regents for use in schools violated the First Amendment because it represented establishment of religion. In 1963, in Abington School District v. Schempp, the court decided against Bible readings in public schools along the same lines.

Since 1963, Jeynes said there have been five negative developments in the nation’s public schools:

• Academic achievement has plummeted, including SAT scores.

Increased rate of out-of-wedlock births

Increase in illegal drug use

• Increase in juvenile crime

• Deterioration of school behavior

“So we need to realize that these actions do have consequences,” said Jeynes, professor at California State College in Long Beach and senior fellow at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, N.J., “When we remove that moral fiber -- that moral emphasis – this is what can result.”

Other facts included a comparison between the top five complaints of teachers from 1940-1962 -- talking, chewing gum, making noise, running in the halls and getting out of turn in line – to rape, robbery, assault, burglary and arson from 1963 to present.

“Now the question is, given that there is a movement to put the Bible as literature back in the public schools and a moment of silence and so forth, can we recapture the moral fiber – the foundation that used to exist among many of our youth?” Jeynes asked. 

WHAT