President Barack Obama said recently in Turkey that – “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”
I found this very interesting, and frankly, somewhat surprising. First, I need to note that I am NOT religious, by anyone’s stretch of imagination, but I’m not an Atheist either.
I do understand the concept of “Separation of church and state” but that is REALLY supposed to mean that we do not FORCE religion down anyone’s throat. It does NOT mean, that we are anti religion, even though we do appear to be headed that way with the recent court decisions, and now this proclamation by our President, and it makes me a bit sad.
I’m sad because I think it’s clear that we ARE a nation founded on Judeo Christian values, and I see nothing wrong with President Obama standing up for those beliefs. Has he not noticed the US constitution, the bill of rights, or any of the Preambles for our state constitutions?
i’m pushing 50 years old soon, and again, while I’m not religious at all, I do understand where we (our country) came from…
Note the religious references in every single one below – Are they next on the hit list?
Alabama 1901, Preamble – We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..
Alaska 1956,Preamble – We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…
Arkansas 1874, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…
California 1879, Preamble – We the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…
Colorado 1876, Preamble – We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe….
Connecticut1818, Preamble.The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providenceof God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble – Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature,the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to thedictates of their consciences…
Florida 1885, Preamble – We the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…
Georgia 1777, Preamble – We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…
Hawaii 1959, Preamble – We, the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance … Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble – We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble – We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble – We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble – We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties.
Louisiana 1921, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble – We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble – We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty.
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble – We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction
Michigan 1908, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble – We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble – We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution…
Montana 1889, Preamble – We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for theblessings of liberty establish this Constitution.
Nebraska 1875, Preamble – We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble – We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…
New Hampshire 1792, Part I.Art. I. Sec. VEvery individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble – We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble – We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty…
New York 1846, Preamble – We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble – We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…
North Dakota1889, Preamble – We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…
Ohio 1852, Preamble – We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, PreambleInvoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this…
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2.All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble – We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance…
Rhode Island1842, Preamble – We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…
South Carolina , 1778, Preamble – We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble – We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties …
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III.That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…
Texas 1845, Preamble – We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble – Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble – Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man…
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights – XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble – We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble – Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God.
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble – We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…
Wyoming 1890, Preamble – We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution…