Sioux City Journal

America: A Christian nation founded on Christian principles

Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008

SIOUX CITY -- As a newer member of this community I don’t wish to sound disrespectful to the mayor. I’m sure he is a well-qualified and sincere leader. However I must take offense to his comments in Lynn Zerschling’s article of Jan. 15.

Perhaps our mayor should do some remedial study. He jokes about the 1983 Supreme Court decision as if it has no merit because it was “like 100,000 years ago.” He needs to understand that ALL Supreme Court rulings were based on legal precedent, that is until the decision in the 1950s outlawing prayer in schools. They sighted - for the first time and based on no precedent - the so-called “separation of church and state.” That is one tragic example, Mr. Mayor, of what happens when we step away from legal precedent.

The 1983 ruling referenced by Councilman Rochester still has standing and Sioux City is bound to it! Those who would like to get rid of our Christian heritage would love to ignore legal precedent that doesn’t fit their worldview. Rewriting history, however, cannot change the fact that this is a Christian nation founded on Christian principles (compare the Constitution with the natural law principle and the Old Testament).

As an American you are free to practice your faith in whatever way you choose, but don’t try to change who we are. We are a Christian nation that has always prayed together at public gatherings, especially official meetings. By rejecting our heritage in an attempt to be tolerant and not offend, you offend and minimize the faith of every Christian in this community. -- Mark Jenkins

Story Comments

Alfred Green wrote on May 27, 2009 1:59 PM:

" "The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." --John Adams "

Grampsis wise wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:26 PM:

" You people need an education. this country was indeed founded on Christian principles by Christian men

http://www.geocities.com/frjimlloyd/JudeoChristianPrinciples.htm

As early as 1620 when the Pilgrims (or Separatists) compiled the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor, we can see the stated meaning of “ settlement” in this country. “For the Glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith.” (cf. the Compact) Later in the 1630’s the Puritans, under John Winthrop, stated their mission. “…..that we shall be as a City on a hill---the eyes of all people are upon us..” (from John Winthrop’s Book, “ A Model of Christian Charity.” Interestingly, THEIR notion of a free community of equal men pre-dated John Locke by seven decades. Their social philosophy was, in fact, based upon the Law of God, not of man. "

anon wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:39 PM:

" seems that everyone else got to it before me, but the author of this article is wrong. We were founded on the values of the European Enlightment, not Christian ones. "

Erich wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:01 PM:

" This country was founded on the French Enlightenment beliefs of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, and should stay that way. "

me wrote on May 9, 2008 8:15 PM:

" Christian and other religions are FORCED ON ME when they are legislated at me: abortion bans based on the bible and god have the potential to affect me EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT, NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN, CHRISTIAN; teaching intelligent design in schools because the bible claims thats where things came from is FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON ME; forcing me to listen to Christian prayers and deny my exposure to the rest of the religions of the world because of your distorted view of US history is FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON ME. "