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Thursday, June 07, 2007
Marvin Olasky :: Townhall.com Columnist
Flag Day Principles of State Constitutions
by Marvin Olasky
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-- Minnesota, 1857: "We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings ... "

-- West Virginia, 1872: "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 ... "

-- Idaho, 1889: "We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ... "

-- Oklahoma, 1907: "Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... "

-- Arizona, 1911: "We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ... "

Notice how often the state constitution writers link God and liberty.

They did not equate expressions of biblical faith with graspings for theocracy. They knew that an understanding that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory leads to a separation-of-powers system of checks and balances, the opposite of a dictatorship.

They also knew that if we stopped invoking God's guidance we would look to our own wisdom or to that of a Supreme Court grasping for supremacy, and we'd be in trouble -- as we now are.

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About The Author
Marvin Olasky is editor-in-chief of the national news magazine World, provost of The King's College, and a professor of journalism at The University of Texas at Austin. For additional commentary by Marvin Olasky, visit www.worldmag.com.
 
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Reply # 1
Date: Jun 7, 2007 - 8:51 PM EST
Wow.
A universal refernece to a dating system in the Consitution assumes faith in God. Now I know that you so called saints are really stretching to establish a fable.

As for calling folk liars, as opposed to wrong, when George Staphanopolous quotes from a guys book, and the guy states it isn't what he said, that's not being wrong. I'll caveat that Robertson was also the ding bat that claimed he never used the word assassinate when he used it twice. Maybe the old goat is loosing his marbles.

However, David Barton admitted fabricating quotes. And that is a lie. So wrong isn't the issue. And Barton hasn't quit using the fabrications, and they continue to be published.

As for Looloo, I'll say this. I quote directly from Jefferson. And Gingrich and Bennet scholars?! Oh my. I'd hate to see the outcome of that education. Barton is hailed as a scholar as well, and he never went to college. That sort of "scholarship" is what makes right wing revisionism the claptrap it is.

For sjt18, I noticed you asserted verifiable fact, and didn't post any, as opposed to the direct quotes I posted from Jefferson. The supposed Christian who thought it necessary to cut all the miracles from the New Testament. Which the Congress then published and handed out to freshman Congressmen for a long time. I also suggest you read the inscription on the Jefferson memorial in it's full context. It will prove, just like the deletion of "Jesus Christ" that I referred to earlier, that there was no implied Christianity in our founding, as was later substantiated by the Barbary treaty, Section 11, wghich was ratified by Congress and signed by the President.

Considering Olasky's convenient use of facts as well reasoned or documented is only considered such by those who don't read. Which is essentially what church father Origen said, when he stated, " Let no one educated, no one wise, no one sensible draw near. For these abilities are thought by us to be evils. But as for anyone ignorant, anyone stupid, anyone uneducated, anyone who is a child, let him come boldly." Thats in his writing Against Celsus 3.44.

Quite obviously believer's haven't changed in all these centuries.
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Reply # 2
Date: Jun 7, 2007 - 1:38 PM EST
Time and Truth
Melvin, I find your few first words very interesting... If Time elevates folks, that's the final word regardless of what they say or do.
The day will come when Gonzo has respect for Marvin Olasky---that is when the high potentates at Time grant Olasky scholary respect. Don't hold your breath. Keep it up Melvin, I love to watch little things come out from under their big rocks. By the way if Time places honor upon your work, I'm running for the hills.
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