If you had to think of a document other than the Bible that people can most easily quote almost without thinking, that one document would be the Declaration of Independence. The comparison to the Bible is apt. Not that the Declaration of Independence was holy in the religious sense of the word. But it has its place of honor in the hearts of the American people and in the founding history of this great nation.
Although not the first words of the Declaration of Independence, these stirring words have such prophetic power that anyone who hears them is immediately inspired by the beauty, poetry, and profound truths so beautifully expressed in this historic document.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
This single statement from that famous declaration so beautifully demonstrates some of the underlying principles that show why that document has such a profound impact on the American mind and heart. To say that the truths in this document were indeed truths is a profound statement in itself. The Declaration of Independence suggests that what is being declared in these pages are theories, possibilities, even political ideology. They are truths that place them on a par with statements of values as often taught in religious settings. Truths are eternal values and values that are not changed by circumstances, by whoever or whatever governs the country, or by the whims of legislators. These truths exist above these temporary earthly ideas and live on that plane of eternity.
"Obviously" is a strong phrase and reflects the founder's belief in what was called natural law. Natural law is the belief system that there are laws that are part of our natural state of existence and that they cannot be taken away (inalienable). These laws are our rights as creations of the almighty and any system of government must recognize these laws because they are above government. It is a core belief system of the American system that ALL people are entitled to these rights and that they cannot be taken away from them.
The mention of the creator in the Declaration of Independence is very important because there are those who argue that the separation of church and state tells us that government is at its core a secular institution. Clearly, the founders did not lay the foundation of our country on these foundations. They saw the heritage that we as Americans have in our rights and freedoms to be part of our heritage from God and as such, above government and something that government must step back and leave alone, as well as the most beautiful and defend.
The Declaration of Independence is truly an amazing document, especially when you consider the "primitive" state of the nation when Thomas Jefferson wrote it and signed it on July 2, 1776 to become the backbone of our American system of government. It became an oft-referenced and quoted document, even forming part of President Lincoln's famous inaugural address when he said with such deep conviction…
Forty-seven years ago our fathers gave birth to a new nation on this continent, conceived in liberty and devoted to the idea that all men are equal."
Because these words are such a deep part of our American heritage, American history, and American spirit, they are often a key part of any history study in this country's schools. That is why school children in every country know these words so well.
But we would all benefit from taking the time once a year to pick up a copy of the Declaration of Independence and read it either as a private moment of reflection or with our families. It would be a wonderful Fourth of July tradition. Then as you watch the fireworks celebrating the birth of the country and its independence, you will have these words fresh in your heart to remind you that it was our creator who gave us our freedoms and independence and no one has the right to take them away from us. .
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