A Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the constant drumming of the phrase “separation of church and state”, I believe many Americans are under the impression that these words are boldly etched in our founding documents-the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  I hate to rain on the Progressive parade, but the answer is definitively no.

The only place where the basis of this phrase can be found is in a letter that President Thomas Jefferson penned as a reply to the Danbury Baptist Association where he stated that, “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature would ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.” [Emphasis mine.]  A full reading of the context of the exchange is worth every Americans time to consider.  For once again the forces of Progressivism and deconstructionism have colluded to thrust a monumental deception upon us. How do I know this? Because Jefferson himself clarified on multiple occasions exactly that:

In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general [federal] government. Second Inaugural Address, 1805

I consider the government of the United States as interdicted [prohibited] by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions . . . or exercises. Letter to Samuel Millar, 1808

The “wall of separation” that Jefferson was referring to was a protection of the Church from the State, and an assurance that no single denomination or practice would be elevated to Federal preeminence, not the twisted version that is being propagated today.  One only has to look as far as the very first Thanksgiving Proclamation by our first and greatest President, George Washington, to understand that the eradication of religion from the public square would be as foreign to our Founders as the deception has become familiar to us.

 Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

G. Washington (his actual signature)

Something to think about this Thanksgiving as we gather with family and friends to enjoy the blessings of our liberty.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.