Buffman

Hehehehehe!

Yup! It all tends to make the grass grow greener and the Dung Beetles work harder. I often feel like a Dung Beetle when sorting through some of the posts seeking the latest "pile."

Volestrangler

Now that is a load of bollocks.

Buffman

Microtusstrangler

I located several URLs that contain a few references to the U.S. Constitution having its creative basis in Biblical principles. I will post them if you wish. However, they are filled with propaganda and errors of accurate fact to the degree that they are nearly worthless as solid references.

However, I thought that you might find the following of some interest. I have "resurrected" it from an e-mail I sent to a friend. (I hope I can get it to post accurately.)

I send the following request to Yale University when I was attempting to track down an issue similar to the one for which you seek information.

At the beginning of the War of 1812, Timothy Dwight is quoted as having said the following before a gathering of students at the Yale College chapel, "The nation has offended Providence. We formed our Constitution without any acknowledgement of God; without any recognition of His mercies to us, as a people, of His government, or even of His existence. The [Constitutional] Convention, by which it was formed, never asked even once, His direction, or His blessings, upon their labours. Thus we commenced our national existence under the present system, without God."

Could you please provide an original source reference to this quoted statement. Thank you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>

From their response, I compiled the info immediately below with an additional comment.

The quote is from "A discourse in two parts : delivered July 23, 1812, on the public fast, in the chapel of Yale College / by Timothy Dwight..." ( I also note that he is Timothy Dwight, D.D.L.L.D., President of that Seminary; Published at the request of the students, and others; New Haven; Published by Howe and Deforest; Sold also by A.T. Goodrich and Co. No, 124, Broadway, New-York; Printed by J.Seymour, 49, John-street, New-York)
.................................................. .................................................
(Here is the full paragraph taken from my photocopy of the two pages sent to me by Yale University.)

"The second of these reasons is, the sinful character of our nation. Notwithstanding the prevalence of Religion, which I have described, the irreligion, and the wickedness, of our land are such, as to furnish a most painful and melancholy prospect to a serious mind. We formed our Constitution without any
acknowledgement of GOD; without any recognition of his mercies to us, as a people, of his government, or even of his existence. The Convention, by which it was formed, never asked,
even once, his direction, or his blessing upon their labours. Thus we commenced our national existence under the present system, without GOD. I wish I could say, that a disposition to render him the reverence, due to his great Name, and the gratitude, demanded by his innumerable mercies, had been more public, visible, uniform, and fervent."

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>

[Although the quote found on page 105 of "The Godless Constitution" does not track word-for-word, it would be a stretch to claim that the authors made an intentional effort to misquote Dwight. However, I did not notice any evidence that "his" was capitalized as the authors elected to do in their quote. Perhaps the original printer of the Discourse was a non-believer.]

(Now enjoy the opening of his next paragraph):

"At the same time I have no hesitation to say, that the eagerness, with which public offices are hunted for, and the sacrifices of principle and conscience, which, as we have but
too much reason to believe, are made, in order to acquire them, constitute a great and dreadful sin; and are a deep brand upon the moral character of our country...."

(On a personal note that might be of interest to you, I served at Hdqs. AFNorth while my sons resided at High Wycombe.)

[ December 07, 2002: Message edited by: Buffman ]</p>