Founding fathers

Dear Editor,

The United States Constitution serves as the law of the land and unequivocally states the intent of our Founding Fathers, as they didn't include a single mention of God, Christianity, Jesus, or any supreme being. The government is derived from the people (not God) as stated in the preamble. The 1st Amendment is very clear: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

The Constitution Article V1, Sect. 2 says the Constitution, laws and treaties made shall be the supreme law of the land. One of the first Treaties (Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tripoli) drafted at the end of George Washington's presidency and later approved by congress and signed by our second president John Adams, makes the position of our forefathers very clear. Article 11 states: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility…"

Jefferson said, "I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises … Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or assume authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the General Government." [Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Samuel Miller] "Under God" is a ceremonial exercise of religion! Congress used their power to prescribe a religious exercise by adding the words "Under God." Yes, the majority of "We the people" have been Christian, and Christians have used it to mold our country to what it is today (Thank God?). It's also clear that they wanted religion to be separate from Government. Many of the founders were Deist (non-Christian) but never-the-less; they agreed that religion needed to be separate from the Government. They said that Government and religion would flourish when not mixed. This doesn't mean that it can't be run or inhabited by Christians. Its intended to mean that no one can push such beliefs on anyone else or used to rule the minority that doesn't hold such beliefs. People came to America's 13 colonies to get away from the English persecution and practice their own religions freely. This is what motivated our founders! Let us not forget! Todd McCarty

McCook