Constitution Day, September 17th, commemorates the day in 1787 that delegates who were part of the Constitutional Convention signed this historical document in Philadelphia. While July 4th is recognized as the birthday of our independence from the British, September 17th is the birthday of the American form of government—the greatest example of freedom in the world.
America’s Founders debated and intentionally established our government based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. They understood these beliefs provided the only valid moral basis that would secure freedom for all Americans. These principles—embedded in the Constitution, but increasingly discarded to the curb of cultural or political convenience—were written to help ensure the “public square” remained neutral ground, where every voice was heard and every citizen was free to advocate for his or her position. Our Founders were confident that in the marketplace of ideas, truth would always win out in a free society.
John Adams, the second President of the United States, said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Likewise, Abraham Lincoln admonished the country in saying, “Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.”
With each passing week, the United States is edging precariously closer to the unthinkable, a tangible and serious loss of our historic freedoms. Too many citizens remain uniformed, unaware and in some cases, simply unconcerned. When it comes to the growing clash of worldviews in this country or the need for proactive civic engagement, there are numerous examples across the national landscape that are grave reminders of an effort to reframe and marginalize the Judeo-Christian morality and faith.
We simply cannot and must not turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to these trends. The consequences are sobering and they are potentially tragic. We believe America and freedom are worth fighting for.
We encourage all Americans not to abandon the biblical order that informed our Founding Fathers’ vision for this democratic Republic, but, rather, to strongly advocate for the core principles that support and defend freedom.
Sincerely,
Dan Hall