Rick Saccone / America owes much to God
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A simple resolution passed the state House of Representatives unanimously on Jan. 24. It recognizes the significant impact the Bible has had on our country and refers to the Bible as the word of God. It in no way inhibits anyone from believing in any faith or no faith. Most citizens don't remember that a joint session of Congress passed a similar resolution signed by President Ronald Reagan on Feb. 3, 1983, declaring that year as the Year of the Bible in America.
Of course, after our resolution, a few complained and aired the same false arguments that God was never a part of our founding and we should not include God in government, but that is easily refuted. In fact, I just want to offer a few quotes from the founding fathers and past presidents on the importance of the Bible in America.
George Washington himself spoke frequently of the Bible, and in his very first act, emblematic of the office he was about to take, he chose to lay his hand on the Bible to take that oath. That tradition has been carried on by every president after him, swearing their oath of office on the Bible, frequently choosing, as Washington did, a specific verse within that they believe has special meaning.
Benjamin Franklin, a noted founding father but also the 23rd speaker of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and former governor of the commonwealth, reminded us: "A Bible in every home is the principle support of virtue, morality and civil liberty."
John Adams noted in his diary on Feb. 22, 1756, "Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . What a utopia -- what a paradise would this region be!"
John Jay, president of the Continental Congress and first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, said, "The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts."
First Published February 7, 2012 12:00 am
