Story originally printed in the Holmen Courier or online at www.holmencourier.com
Published - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
LETTER: Leave the cross on Holmen’s Star Hill
The Holmen cross should stay on public property. Here’s why.
A national monuments tour proves that our founders and past presidents were deeply religious and encouraged religion on the public square. Moses and the Commandments are depicted on many of our public buildings including the Capitol, Supreme Court and National Archives buildings.
In the Declaration of Independence, our founders wrote “endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights.” They were careful to say “creator.” Meaning, our rights are God given.
George Washington, after being sworn in, added “So help me God.” He then kissed the bible.
Franklin Roosevelt, considered by many the father of modern day liberalism, prayed publicly.
Secularists and the academic-media-legal elites routinely extrapolate seven words Jefferson wrote in his letter to the Danbury Baptists. They use these words “wall of separation between church and state” to explain why public funds can’t support activities sponsored by religious bodies.
Yet, Jefferson sanctioned church services in the Capitol building. He recommended Congress provide money from the federal treasury to build churches. Jefferson authored a curriculum using the Bible as the principle text.
Does this sound like a man who would support stripping all religious activity in the public square? Clearly, Jefferson saw no conflict in favoring religious observances in public and opposing an official national religion.
Individual morality is critical if we expect to govern ourselves and protect our freedoms. Religion is a source of morality. Therefore, how can we protect our freedoms without practicing our religion in the public?
Using the ultra-left philosophy, if the cross is taken down, we must take down all religious symbols and depictions in our public buildings and memorials and especially in Washington, D.C. I do not believe this was our founders’ vision.
Let us keep our moral compass shining. Leave the cross on public land.
All stories copyright 2006 Holmen Courier and other attributed sources.