In the movie Temptation, sparks fly as tough lessons taught

The Good.

The Objection. The Divide.

Faith Wars of History

By: Ethan J. Brisby

America’s first fight was over faith. As our Founding Fathers and their entire splendor convened for the inaugural session of Continental Congress in September 1774 at Philadelphia, Thomas Cushing of Boston moved that those in attendance begin with scripture and a prayer. Both John Rutledge and John Jay from New York objected. Now some 225 years later their question is our question, their debate is our debate. Laws and lawmakers since then have taken steps to physically and physiological separate church and state, moreover belittling religious sentiment. The affects have trickled down to the working class, and America is in a constant dilemma to appease both believer and non-believer.

To suggest that religion has only recently become a powerful player in the United States is ignorant and unhistorical. Rutledge, a lawyer from South Carolina based his objection on the division of religious background. The first Continental Congress included Episcopalians, Congregationalist, Presbyterians, and others. “We could not join in the same act of worship,” John Adams wrote. From the start, having a single objection to a higher intervention at this epic event birthed a secular religious tone in American public life.

Spiritual beings suggest that religion shapes the life of a nation without over extending it. However, religious wars have long been a deafening force in the well being of fledging nations and dynamic empires alike. Perhaps Rutledge and Jay did not want America to make the same mistake the world they were rebelling against had historically made. From the 18^th century to the 21^st and from Washington, D.C. to Small Town, U.S.A. where prayer is not welcomed at the same place we educate our school age children, holy wars are continuously waged on America’s liberty. These wars have lead many citizens to belief the nation is hopelessly divided between believers and secularist.

When considering the wide array of denominations America’s melting pot is becoming, there lies a common denominator, faith. Faith may be described as belief in something. College students, college professors, administrators, and poverty stricken generations of families find their peace in their individual faith. This is why the religious should be on the front lines defending freedom of religion as it is strategically attacked and bombarded at various angles.

Two of this nation’s most optimum moments-the Revolutionary War and Martin Luther King Jr.’s battle against Jim Crow when revisited lead to religious theories about charity, justice, and liberty. Yet today, our major movers and shakers are being handcuffed by political correctness. Freedom of speech is seemingly suppressed by an over zealous public opinion where minority rules. Speakers of God’s holy word are being assaulted at unprecedented rates and the public outcry to save open religious conversation is approaching a whisper.

Hindsight reveals that the Founding Fathers rejected an attempt to revise the Preamble of the Constitution to say the nation was dependent on God. Future administrations and Congress declined to endorse opportunities to support a “Christian Amendment” that would acknowledge Jesus to be the “Ruler among the nations.” On the other hand, there is a long trail of American leaders that do want God in American public life, but in a way that is more of a central point than a divisive one.

Benjamin Franklin rewrote the Lord’s prayer in 18-century vernacular. John Kennedy said that “on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.” In disastrous times, faith is rushed to the frontline, as is the case the day after the infamous World Trade Center attacks. George W. Bush declared September 12, 2001 a “Day of Prayer.” This recognition came without objection from atheist or other non faith based efforts, because faith breads hope, which in turn births love, which triumphs over all.

Furthermore, it would seem logical to approach the faith discussion proactively. As the story goes, after Cushing’s move that the delegates begin with prayer and subsequent objection, Samuel Adams spoke up. “Mr. S. Adams arose and said he was no bigot, and could hear a prayer from a gentleman of piety and virtue who at the same time a friend to his country,” John Adams continued. The move was seconded and, the 35^th Psalm was read: “Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me. Fight against them that fight against me.”