John Leland

Under this head, I would remark, that there is a common saying, “that a republican government is the best in the world if people only have virtue enough to bear it.” If people had virtue enough, there would be no need of any government. Government becomes necessary on account of the vices of men. …Those who so frequently are making the above observation, should do all they can to save and foster that government which they own is best; but for the most part, the remark is made by men who are wishing to sap the foundation of republican government, trick the people out of their liberties, and raise themselves to a state of preeminence above the control of others.

~ John Leland – “Republicanism, the Best Government; but not without its evils”

Sins of our Forerunners (Separation of Church and State)

A week or two ago someone mentioned something about "those who believe the lie of separation of Church and State". Normally this is combined with the idea that "separation of church and state" is a myth and is not in the Constitution. Yet if it was a myth, lie, or unconstitutional, the idea is clearly a Baptist and Southern Baptist lie/myth. Baptists, including Southern Baptists were claiming that the state and church should remain separate as part of their "religious liberty" and "soul liberty" theologies. Honestly if leaders of the SBC had not perpetuated this idea for at least a century I doubt that the courts would have picked it up.

Now you may disagree with "separation of Church and State". Also, there are those that disagree on the boundaries of what is an establishment and what should be permitted under free exercise. Fine, but it was a basic Baptist tenet until recently. For those that are Baptists, we understand that all Baptist theology is up for debate. We just need to know that the debate is not between Atheists and Baptists, but devout Southern Baptists and devout Southern Baptists. Unlike, slavery, Christian slave holders, and Biblical segregation this one didn't die so easily for those that find fault with it. Also, by the way, it is not been Baptist practice to say that "separation of Church and State" is "one way" and designed to merely protect the church from the state. Baptist tended to believe that it works both ways. Some of the non-baptists have a reason not to become Baptists should they believe that this separation is a lie/myth. Their lives may have been easier if Baptists had been less vocal over the centuries.

Anyways the following quote struck me as interesting for several reasons. One, the book was published by Baptists in 1907. This particular chapter was written by Benjamin O. True, Professor of Church History at Rochester Theological Seminary. Two, the quote is older than the book. I do not know how old the source is that he is quoting, but obviously it is older than 1907. Three, this is written before our recent controversies. At this time, there was not a National Day of Prayer, National Prayer Breakfast, Under God in the Pledge of Allegiance, Most of the Ten Commandment monuments, prayer at the Sugar Bowl, and the national motto as In God we trust. This is why I like older Baptist theology, it is less politicized. They believed in separation of church and state without being accused by fellow baptists of being against prayer or against the Bible. I am not sure what George Truett, John Leland, or Spurgeon would think about our battles on government faculty prayer and bible reading in public schools, but I am certain that they would not believe that their addition would change the nation towards true piety.

So far as this was a work of intelligent conviction and religious faith the chief honor of it must be given to the Baptists. Other sects, notably the Presbyterians, had been energetic and efficient in demanding their own liberties; the Friends and the Baptists agreed in demanding liberty of conscience and worship and equality before the law for all alike. But the active labor in this cause was mainly done by the Baptists. It is to their consistency and constancy in the warfare against the privileges of the powerful “Standing Order” of New England, and of the moribund establishments of the South, that we are chiefly indebted for the final triumph in this country of that principle of the separation of Church from State which is one of the largest contributions of the New World to civilization and to the church universal.

~ Dr. Leonard Woolsey Bacon, "History of American Christianity" pg 221

National Day of Prayer

National days of prayer have occurred since 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the nation to join in a petition for divine guidance. Since then, 34 of 44 U.S. presidents have called for days of prayer during times of crisis, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. This has been the tradition of our nation from its founding. [1]

According to Shirley Dobson, 10 of our Presidents never called for days of prayer. I am curious as to who the ten were. The National Day of Prayer was signed into law by our 33rd President Harry Truman, so every president since 1953 has call for a day of prayer at least once a year: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Obama. That’s 11 of our 44 Presidents. (Out of that lot, only 10 ceremonies have been held for the NDP: one by Reagan, one by G H Bush, and eight by G W Bush) We now have 33 Presidents left. It is 10 out of 33 or basically a little less than one third. My point is that while 23 is more than 10, there is a sizable minority that did not call for days of prayer. The scales are not as weighted as they appear.[2]

Things that distract from government prayer resolutions

This made me mad, so I thought I'd share.

"For those of us who have our doubts about Obama's faith, no, we did not expect him to have the service," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America. "But as president, he should put his own lack of faith aside and live up to the office."

Referencing a remark the president made at a recent press conference in Turkey that Americans "do not consider ourselves a Christian nation," she added: "That was projecting his own beliefs, but not reflecting what the majority of Americans feel. It's almost like Obama is trying to remake America into his own image. This is not a rejection of Shirley Dobson; it's a rejection of the concept that America is a spiritual nation and its foundation isJudeo-Christian."[1]

The White House did not directly address Dobsons's comments.

However, a White House source with direct knowledge of the situation, said event organizers placed restrictions on potential speakers saying that they had to be "pro-life" and the only person officially invited from the administration was Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a Republican.[2]