Liberty Under
God
DOES NOT REQUIRE
A
“Diverse” Military
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Congress should
- not use the armed services as a social experiment.
In recent years, the purpose of the Armed Forces has not been limited to
creating a highly-disciplined, effective military force that can accomplish the
Constitutional objectives of defending the United States, but has been broadened
to include promoting "diversity," which means promoting broad social
acceptance of deviant sex, feminism, and other social "-isms" -- even if
this not only does not contribute to narrow military objectives, but may undermine
the narrow purpose of creating the most effective armed service and achieving
military victory.
This represents a 180° shift from military policy under America's Founding
Fathers. General
Washington ordered America's revolutionary troops to behave as good Christians,
because The Revolutionary War was explicitly
Christian, and America's Founders viewed the military as subordinate to
achieving the larger national purpose of promoting
Christianity. The Constitution of 1789 did not alter or repudiate this
Christian orientation.
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From the landing of the Mayflower until
the adoption of the
Constitution, none of the defining moments of American history were undertaken
as atheists, but in fact were engaged in as Christians.
The commander-in-chief directs
that divine service be performed every Sunday at eleven o'clock in those
brigades [in] which there are chaplains; those which have none [are] to attend
the places of worship nearest to them. It is expected that officers of all ranks
will by their attendance set an example to their men. While we are zealously
performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to
be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished
character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more
distinguished character of Christian. The signal instances of providential
goodness which we have experienced, and which have now almost crowned our labors
with complete success, demand from us in a peculiar manner the warmest returns
of gratitude and piety to the Supreme Author of all good.
—George
Washington, General
Orders, The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick,
editor (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1932), 11:342. (May
2, 1778.)
The first difficulty to be
overcome existed in Boston itself. Cushing, the speaker, who had received a
private letter from Dartmouth, and was lulled into confiding in "the noble
and generous sentiments" of that minister, advised that for the time the
people should bear their grievances. "Our natural increase in wealth and
population," said he, "will in a course of years settle this dispute
in our favor; whereas, if we persist in denying the right of parliament to
legislate for us, they may think us extravagant in our demands, and there will
be great danger of bringing on a rupture fatal to both countries." He
thought the redress of grievances would more surely come "if these high
points about the supreme authority of parliament were to fall asleep."
Against this feeble advice, the Boston committee of correspondence aimed at the
union of the province, and "the confederacy of the whole continent of
America." They refused to waive the claim of right, which could only divide
the Americans in sentiment and confuse their counsels. "What
oppressions," they asked, in their circular to all the other towns,
"may we not expect in another seven years, if through a weak credulity,
while the most arbitrary measures are still persisted in, we should be prevailed
upon to submit our rights, as the patriotic Farmer expresses it, to the tender
mercies of the ministry? Watchfulness, unity, and harmony are necessary to the
salvation of ourselves and posterity from bondage. We have an animating
confidence in the Supreme Disposer of events, that he will never suffer a
sensible, brave, and virtuous people to be enslaved."
George
Bancroft, History of the United States, Vol.3,
Chapter 34: The
Boston Tea-Party, August-December 1773, p.443-44
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw170227))
The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress
George
Washington, November 27, 1779, General Orders
The Writings of George Washington from the Original
Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 17
Head
Quarters, Moore's House, Saturday, November 27, 1779.
Parole Landaft.
Countersigns Lexington, Leeds.
The Honorable the Congress has been pleased to pass the
following proclamation.
Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of
Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has
wrought in conducting our fore-fathers to this western world; for his protection
to them and to their posterity amid difficulties and dangers; for raising us,
their children, from deep distress to be numbered among the nations of the earth;
and for arming the hands of just and mighty princes in our deliverance; and
especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and
so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in
abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the
land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our
troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in
triumph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he hath gone with those who went out
into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that he hath stayed the hand of the
spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction; that he hath prospered our
commerce, and given success to those who sought the enemy on the face of the deep;
and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby,
through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his
eternal glory: therefore,
RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several states,
to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December next, to be a day of public and solemn
thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of
his favor and protection to these United States; to beseech him that he would be
graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom
from on high, with unanimity, firmness, and success; that he would go forth with
our hosts and crown our arms with victory; that he would grant to his church the
plentiful effusions of divine grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all ministers
of the gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread
the light of christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; that
he would smile upon the labours of his people and cause the earth to bring forth
her fruits in abundance; that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that
he would take into his holy protection our illustrious ally, give him victory over
his enemies, and render him signally great, as the father of his people and the
protector of the rights of mankind; that he would graciously be pleased to turn
the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending
nations; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us
into his favor, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these
United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support and protect them
in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety.33
[Note 33: In the General Orders this resolve was
condensed by sundry omissions.]
A strict observance to be paid by the Army to this
proclamation and the Chaplains are to prepare and deliver discourses suitable to
it.34
[Note 34: The Varick Transcripts of Washington's General
Orders in the Library of Congress has the following note at this point: "The
Army marching by Divisions and Brigades into Winter Quarters."]
The General most earnestly requires and
expects...of all officers and soldiers, not engaged on actual duty, a punctual
attendance on divine service, to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means
used for our safety and defense.
—General
Orders. Fitzpatrick 3:309. (1775.)
The
honorable Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a chaplain to each
regiment,...the colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to
procure chaplains accordingly, persons of good characters and exemplary lives,
[and] to see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect
and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of
Heaven are at all times necessary, but especially so in times of public distress
and danger.
—General
Orders. Fitzpatrick 5:244. (1776.)
Divine
service is to be performed tomorrow in the several brigades or divisions. The
commander-in-chief earnestly recommends that the troops not on duty should
universally attend with that seriousness of deportment and gratitude of heart
which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of
Providence demand of us.
—General
Orders. Fitzpatrick 23:247. (1781.)
The
commander-in-chief orders the cessation of hostilities between the United States
of America and the king of Great Britain to be publicly proclaimed tomorrow at
twelve o'clock,...after which the chaplains with the several brigades will render
thanks to almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his overruling the
wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease among the
nations....
The proclamation...must afford the most rational and sincere
satisfaction to every benevolent mind, as it puts a period to a long and doubtful
contest, stops the effusion of human blood, opens the prospect to a more splendid
scene, and, like another morning star, promises the approach of a brighter day
than has hitherto illuminated the Western Hemisphere; on such a happy day, a day
which is the harbinger of peace, a day which completes the eighth year of the war,
it would be ingratitude not to rejoice!
—General
Orders. Fitzpatrick 26:334. (1783.)
All of these General Orders were clearly religious, and thus show that
Washington did not labor under the myth of "separation of church and
state" as advanced today by the ACLU.
A few years ago, A policeman in Texas was fired because he wore a small Cross
on his uniform. Here is an online conversation about that event.
Subject: The Christian Militia
From: Kevin4VFT@aol.com (KEVIN4VFT)
Date:
05 Dec 1998 02:51:33 EST
A policeman in Texas was fired because he wore a
small Cross on his uniform
In article <19981204222440.27490.00000164@ng-cc1.aol.com>, edarr1776@aol.com
(EDarr1776) writes:
>I said: >The guy was
hired to work as a cop, a government job. As you know,
>the
>>Constitution
-- in this case, Texas' constitution, too -- prevent government
>>employees
from activities that tend to endorse one religion over another.
>
>Kevin
said: >>No, I emphatically do not "know"
this.<<
>
>Right. No matter how
often you are told or presented the facts, you refuse
>to "know"
this.
Don't just assert "it's a fact." Quote the constitution for us, Ed.
Highlight the words "employee" and "endorse" in your
quotation, just to make it easy for us.
>>> There is nothing in the Constitution
>nor in the first 100
years of Constitutional history which indicates that
>the government must
not advance Christianity. History is replete with
>examples of the
government advancing Christianity as a matter of official
>policy. The idea
that the Founding Fathers' chief object in view was to keep
>a mere
government employee from wearing a cross is ludicrous.<<<
>
>Is
it? Can you tell me what the regulations were for such wear in
>Washington's
army?
There were no regulations against endorsing
religion. That's my point.
In 1775, Congress selected one of its members,
Geo.Washington, to organize the local farmers and militia groups into an
army to resist the world's greatest empire. Washington's first order to
his troops came in July, and was consistent with the spirit of the
Founders and Congress. In that order Washington trusted that
. . . every officer and man will endeavor so to live and act as
becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties
of his country.
(The Writings of George Washington, John C.
Fitzpatrick, ed., (Washington: US Govt Printing Office, 1932) vol V p.
245. From his General Orders of July 9, 1776.)
That his troops display Christian character was important to
Washington, and on May 2, 1778, he charged them:
To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest
glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.
(Writings,
vol. XI, p. 343, General Orders, 5/2/78)
Washington's directives for his troops to display Christian character
were reminiscent of those given to the Minutemen by the 1774 Provincial
Congress. On Dec.10, 1774, Congress reminded the Minutemen that:
You . . . are placed by Providence in the post of honor, because it
is the post of danger. And while struggling for the noblest objects --
the liberties of your country, the happiness of posterity, and the
rights of human nature -- the eyes not only of North America and the
whole British Empire, but of all Europe, are upon you. Let us be,
therefore, altogether solicitous that no disorderly behavior, nothing
unbecoming our characters as Americans; as citizens and Christians, be
justly chargeable to us.
Richard Frothingham, Rise of the
Republic of the United States (Boston: Little, Brown & CO.,
1872) p. 393
Congress recognized that God led the Christian militia to victory in
the battle of Saratoga, and on 1 Nov 1777, Congress proclaimed a national
thanksgiving in which it explained:
Forasmuch 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
further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased Him .
. . to crown our arms with most signal success: It is therefore
recommended [a day] . . . for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with
one heart and 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 . . . and their humble and earnest supplication that
it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to
forgive and blot out of remembrance [and] . . . 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" [Romans 14:17]
Journals of the American Congress:
from 1774 to 1788 (Washington: Way and Gideon, 1823) vol II, 1777,
pp. 309-310, Nov 1, 1777
The militia were motivated to revolt against Great Britain not out of a
secular spirit of anarchism: there was an Archist involved. One
Crown-appointed British governor wrote back to Britain complaining that:
If you ask an American who is his master, he'll tell you he has none.
And he has no governor but Jesus Christ.
Hezekiah Niles, Principals
and Acts of the Revolution in America (Baltimore: William Ogden
Niles, 1822) p. 418.
Today, the US Supreme Court says it is "unconstitutional" to
teach Christian morality to students. The CIA deals drugs. And in light of
the facts of history, the Texas policeman's desire to wear a dippy cross
on his uniform is like a man who hasn't had a bite to eat in weeks,
hungrily devouring a tiny piece of moldy bread. |
George Bancroft, History of the United States, Volume 4, 1774-1776
EPOCH
THIRD America Takes Up Arms for Self-Defence and Arrives at Independence From 1774
to 1776
Chapter 11: Effects of the Day of Lexington and Concord, The General
Rising, April-June 1775, p. 174-175
New Hampshire agreed to raise two thousand men, of whom perhaps twelve
hundred reached the camp. Folsom was their brigadier, but John Stark was the
most trusty officer. Connecticut offered six thousand men; and about
twenty-three hundred remained at Cambridge, with Spenser as their chief, and
Putnam as second brigadier.
Rhode Island voted fifteen hundred men; and
probably about a thousand of them appeared round Boston, under Nathaniel Greene.
He was one of eight sons, born rear the Narragansett bay in Warwick. In that
quiet seclusion, Gorton and his followers, untaught of universities, had
reasoned on the highest questions of being. They had held that in America Christ
was coming to his temple; that outward ceremonies, baptism and the eucharist,
and also kings and lords, bishops and chaplains, were but carnal ordinances,
sure to have an end; that humanity must construct its church by "the voice
of the Son of God," the voice of reason and love. The father of Greene,
descended from ancestry of this school, was at once an anchor-smith, a miller, a
farmer, and, like Gorton, a preacher. The son excelled in diligence and in manly
sports. None of his age could wrestle or skate or run better than he, or stand
before him as a neat ploughman and a skilful mechanic.
Homosexuals were dishonorably discharged from the Continental Army. Some
libertarians have suggested that they were kicked out because they "lied"
about the circumstances, but looking at the original hand-written orders by
General George Washington disproves this contention. Details
here.
next: Campaign Finance, Corruption and the Oath of Office
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