In Honor of Thanksgiving a word from our forefathers. (long)

[bigvalkriefan]

It's clear for some of us that the phrase "separation of church and state," the rallying cry for those terrified of becoming a theocracy, has been bastardized. Here's a little something from some people who I think would know where God's proper place is.

THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION:

"FOR AS MUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE: That it may please him, to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation, as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion."

[bentwrench]

Many ask,what will it take to heal this nation? The answer has been with us the whole time.
bw

[x]

See... the bloody Christians were trying to take over a secular government way back when... and they aint quit yet... need to maintain the vigilance.   

[musclehead]

See... the bloody Christians were trying to take over a secular government way back when... and they aint quit yet... need to maintain the vigilance.   

can I have some kool-aid

[Robert]

Its really kind of amazing that without Christians this great nation wouldn't have been founded. That all who came over were from one church and they had the guts to pray and stick out all the troubles that came about. I dont see anything secular in that. Except that maybe they came partially to get away from the persecution of the religious church at that time. To start a new with a God they loved and trusted. Nothing gets started without prayer and these people did pray. So to SE and the cool aid gang I would like to say something stronger, but you all except SE who is really not a US citizen owe Christians the gratitude to practice the heathenism you so richly desire in a country founded by Christians and in the end will receive what you have so wanted. Happy Thanksgiving

OH by the way to you who said the founders where not Christians but deists and dont believe in God where so far from the truth they were indeed Christians but had seen like everyone else the persecution and power of the church which grew so far from its founding principles ,wanted to keep the US on firm foundation of God and not subject to the bondage of religion. Jesus came to do this very same thing to destroy mans institution and show the importance of God and what He wants not man. Man has managed to distort every thing about every religion on earth even Judas did not understand and eventually left himself in complete control of Satan. I have not seen man not distort everything he lays his hands on. So you who say secular government I say you are so far behind the times and lacking in knowledge and understanding.

[Bobbo]

Proclamations such as your reference have been common since the formation of the United States.  They are simply that…  Proclamations.  They neither describe nor dictate law.  The founders knew very well what happens when religion is incorporated into government, and sought to keep it separate and free.

Our government has been secular since it’s inception, and is flexible enough and designed to accommodate its citizen’s religious beliefs.  Proclaiming a day of Thanksgiving, Christmas as a national holiday, and other religious proclamations are not proof that the founders wanted a government based in Christianity, but rather a neutral government that allows it’s people to express their beliefs.

The founders knew the proper place for God was in the heart, and not on the law books.