God has been foundational in America from its beginning. In the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, “our Lord,” “God” and “their Creator” are personified by the majority of Americans. However, religion is not God and is addressed quite differently. The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…” Congress cannot establish a national religion (e.g., Church of England) or restrict freedom of religion or speech.

The majority of Americans (>90 percent) have always chosen to believe in God and the Bible, while >78 percent claimed Christianity as their religion. Delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention were >85 percent Christian while >93 percent believed in God. The Constitution was influenced by their personal character, beliefs, morality and the Bible (Jewish Torah contains first five Books). America’s majority religious identity has always been a Godfearing, Christian nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles — not by law, but by choice.

Atheist and secular groups cite “separation of Church and State,” which is not in our Constitution, as a platform for removing all representations of God and religion from government, the public square and schools. The secularist phrase came from Thomas Jefferson, supported by a handful of Deists, condoning Jefferson’s edited version of the bible – their religion.

It has become a phrase used by progressives and even the Supreme Court. Atheism is a “religion,” based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Laws supporting Atheist or secularist religions would be in direct violation of the First Amendment as they would unlawfully establish a Godless religion for America.

Religion and speech are protected. Americans are free to speak from the Bible, pray, or talk about God and Jesus Christ in the public square, schools, work, and the floors of government. It cannot be prohibited under the Constitution. If denied by “separation of Church and State,” our First Amendment rights are being violated. This position was upheld by our Supreme Court.

Let’s embrace America’s religious identity and freedoms to stand against the current anti-God and anti- Christian aggression in America by the minority. God bless America.

James Sanoski
Brunswick