by Bob Johnson
The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate the creation of a new unique nation. A nation based on the importance of the individual and not on “divine rights” of kings. In 1776 this unique quality set America apart from the rest of the nations on Earth.
What motivated America’s founders and revolutionaries to do this? Where did they find the idea of individual freedoms being more important than the will of kings and monarchy?
Was it the Bible that taught America’s founders individuals’ rights and freedoms are important? After all, the Declaration of Independence mentions God several times and claims that we are “endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights.” The answer is NO!
The Bible gives the example of what kind of government is favored by the Bible god. In Deuteronomy 17:15 the Bible writers put these words in God’s mouth: “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.” This is probably the source of what America’s founders and revolutionaries were fighting against: divine rights of kings.
A New Testament teaching which has no qualms about individuals being obedient and submissive and fearful of government authorities is Romans 13:1-7. It reads, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” If America’s founders followed either of these Bible teachings there never would have been an American Revolution, a U.S. Constitution or the American Republic.
Thankfully, America’s founders got their motivation not from the Bible but from the European Enlightenment and Deism. Deism is belief in God based on the application of our reason on the laws and designs in Nature. Deists believe the designs point us to our Designer, or “Nature’s God” as is described in the Declaration of Independence. Deism also rejects unreasonable ideas such as walking on water and raising the dead.
Thomas Jefferson, who is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence, was a Deist. It’s reasonable to believe this was a major reason the Declaration of Independence was written as a Deistic document. It is a Deistic and not a Christian document because it only mentions God in Deistic terms and NEVER mentions Christianity, the Bible, or Jesus as a Christian document would.
This Fourth of July be sure to mention to your family and friends what a great Deistic document the Declaration of Independence is! And also let them know that if the Bible at Romans 13:1-7 is right, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and all of the founders and Americans who took part in the American Revolution are right now suffering “damnation” from the Bible god!
Bob Johnson is a freelance writer in the Tampa area of Florida. He was raised Roman Catholic, but after a stint in Marine Corps infantry and reading Thomas Paine’s The Age of Reason he became a Deist.
In 1993 he founded the World Union of Deists, and in 1996 he launched the first website devoted to Deism. He is the author of God Gave Us Reason, Not Religion, Deism: A Revolution in Religion, A Revolution in You and An Answer to C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. He has also written the introduction to Thomas Paine’s The Age of Reason, The Complete Edition and Principles of Nature by Elihu Palmer.
ATTENTION READERS
We See The World From All Sides and Want YOU To Be Fully InformedIn fact, intentional disinformation is a disgraceful scourge in media today. So to assuage any possible errant incorrect information posted herein, we strongly encourage you to seek corroboration from other non-VT sources before forming an educated opinion.
About VT - Policies & Disclosures - Comment Policy
