Today we in America mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While many may not see how revolutionary the ideals set out at the time really were (most the rest of the world simply did not believe this form of government would work), it was a time that set a new course for all people looking to have a just system of rules and government, not just Americans. These ideals have survived many stern tests, and in general have continued on a course of improvements.
No system of government will ever be perfect, for man is imperfect. However look to these words set out from the beginning in the Declaration, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
By and large these Founders were deeply religious men; many of them were unique thinkers when it came to religion, not at all slaves to the past interpretations. The ideals set out in the Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are all tremendous, and our task has been to bring these ideals to fruition for all people of this country, and that basic, unalienable Rights should be enjoyed by all mankind. And that these rights are not derived from governments, but from God.
Let us all strive to make these words of truth and hope be true for one and all, and that we might do that by living life as our Creator has wanted us to do. These Founding Fathers were deeply inspired by the teachings of Jesus, and he placed the greatest principles before us. Without the general populace living by such principles, no government will succeed in securing the Rights of all, no matter how lofty the ideas are articulated.
Let us live as Jesus expressed the most fundamental laws of thought and behavior:
Matthew 22:
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
When we as individuals determine to live in just such a way as spoken by the great Master, then we will enjoy true freedom.
In closing today, I would like to quote from the sage Erma Bombeck: “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” Let us all think upon the meaning of true freedom today, and enjoy the potato salad before it gets iffy!
P.S. As I just finished this posting, a single eagle flew over the house, gliding on majestically.