“what is "unmistakable" is that the "inalienable rights" cited in the declaration are based on transcendent creator God.“
That is not at all a necessary surmise. People have always appealed to a higher Providence to urge great or dangerous movements. And of course, you drop your first argument and you try to use another in its stead! What Buckner said was this:
“The Declaration of Independence was issued 11 years before the Constitution, is not a governing charter, and includes no reference at all to Christianity. The religious references in the Declaration are unmistakably deistic: it's clear that the references are not to the revealed God of Christianity. George Washington's talks and writings are also full of religious references but always to "Providence" or to "the Creator"
This does not support that the Constitution was “grounded in the God of the bible.” as you said it was!
“Perhaps, but they also would have lost their main moral argument for revolution in the first place“
That comment reflects an abysmal ignorance of American history. Certainly, religion of all stripes is a powerful ally in mustering the wills of people to sacrifice and risk life. But England had no shortage of religion or belief in God! LOL!
Basically, Paine argued that Monarchy and succession of Rulers was antithetical to freedom. Without democratic freedom--power for ordinary people could come about only by graft and patronage…never by RIGHT.
Nothing here about religious justification!
"...Exposing the fraud and imposition of monarchy, and every species of hereditary government – to lessen the oppression of taxes – to propose plans for the education of helpless infancy and the comfortable support of the aged and distressed – to endeavor to conciliate nations to each other – to expurgate war – to promote peace, civilization, and commerce – and to break the chains of political superstition, and raise degraded man to his proper rank;" Thomas Paine.
The Stamp Act symbolized the subservience of a people and galvanized the increasing resentment against taxation without representation. The Revolution was a worldly event if there ever was one. It was not about Christianity in any way, shape, or form.
I repeat: THE REVOLUTION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH CHRISTIANITY. So wise up, for pities sake. |
