Vigilante, or Not?

 Today I saw a meme depicting the 376 motionless members of the police department at Uvalde during the active shooter casualty event. It also showed the one young man who stood up more recently to an active shooter. 

It's a rather clear picture, even by words, isn't it?

Then I considered what some people may say or think concerning the one individual who took action. I have not read, nor seen video of any of the original documents or videos from either event. I have seen some internet comments and, of course, the noted meme. The following is personal opinion and should not be construed as if I were speaking legally.

Two words came immediately to mind, Militia and Vigilante. Do not get the two confused.

According to the South Carolina state constitution:

ARTICLE XIII.

MILITIA

SECTION 1. Militia.

"The militia of this State shall consist of all able-bodied male citizens of the State between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, except such persons as are now or may be exempted by the laws of the United States or this State, or who from religious scruples may be adverse to bearing arms, and shall be organized, officered, armed, equipped and disciplined as the General Assembly may by law direct."

Emphasis on shall is by me. The consideration is, under law, Shall is not optional as in May. In other words, if you live in South Carolina and are able bodied between the ages of 18 and 45, you ARE the militia, unless ruled exempt.

Vigilante is a group of a different bent. They are defined as a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate. (Note: they operate without legal authority. Most notably, they take justice into their own hands by trying, convicting, and executing.)

The legal authority of militia stems from centuries of law before the constitutions of the various colonies came into existence. Once those colonies became states under the US Constitution, they retained all rights of militia organization and regulation because those rights were never part of the national constitution. The only mention of the militia within the body of the US Constitution refers to the right of the President to call up such a force to deal with treason, insurrection, and anarchy. The 2nd Amendment leaves the militia to the people.

Another initial intent of the founders little known to Americans today, requires the legal system of the Grand Jury to request the militia to arrest based upon fact and evidence, sorely lacking in the instance of vigilantes. And the militia has no authority to convict under civil law. That belongs to the courts.

To bring this back to full circle, the one lone gunman acting to preserve life guaranteed by the constitutions of the various states' laws (see right to use deadly force) wasn't acting as a vigilante. His state gave him the right to act to preserve life, as I understand it, through the castle doctrine.

There will likely be more discussion, evidence, legal opinions, and such during the next few months concerning Uvalde and other instances of US Citizens, militia members, and police interacting with aberrant shooters.

The Mistake About White Privilege in America

 

The Mistake About White Privilege in America

 

When someone throws out the white privilege concern, especially those in the United States, they forget our founders’ tenets when they established our new nation. We live in one of the latest structures of government in the world. The grand experiment of the Constitution outlives any other country’s government, especially those of a republic. But the Constitution’s foundation does not depend upon the Federal government. It depends upon the morality and character of a Christian people.

Our founding fathers’ quotes suggest humanity reverts to base behavior without scripture’s aid. It’s also why, even under the Articles of Confederation, the third article of the Northwest Territory Act in 1787 established a method for ensuring there were funds for public schools. Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The religion referred to is Protestant Reformation Christianity, which the entire group of English colonies understood. You may also consider the foundation of our university system started in its earliest form as seminaries. Yale, Harvard, William and Mary, and Princeton fall under this program.

The mistake is thinking any one group receives more than another. The majority of world cultures included slavery. There is no question concerning who held slaves. Africans, Hebrews, Mexicans, and native North Americans used slavery to bolster their economies. Many other groups did as well and still do. History shows mankind is anything but kind. Americans today are no different. But does that mean we are incapable of doing good, helping neighbors, supporting storm-tossed communities? No, and the reason is that we have a foundation of Christianity to support our governance.

Christian scripture, known as the Holy Bible, teaches God recognizes no person. The inference is God created all humans in His image. Each one of us reflects the image of God. The problem, of course, revolves around our heart issues. God made us, so He knows the issues. He sent His Son, Jesus, to give us one more opportunity to reestablish a relationship with God. Most of our problems, well all of them, concern our lack of seeking God, and when we find Him, remembering it’s Him who gives us light.

Christopher Columbus enjoyed a charter from Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to go forth and discover new lands, claim them for the royal highnesses, and evangelize them. He started with the edict and then found gold. Humans seem to have a propensity to get tunnel vision, and Christobol did the same thing. He lost sight of God’s plan and focused on how rich he could get. Christobol failed God and didn’t repent of his sins, those of forgetting God’s plan. He died broken and penniless.

Here in America, scripture concreted our initial foundations. The Mayflower Compact strode ashore with the pilgrims in 1620 and laid the first course for a repentant people. Those foundations supported a wealth of businesses and expansion through the colonies and into the heartland of America. Contrast that with the Virginia experiment. The cavaliers who initiated Jamestown grew up as second or third-born aristocratic sons who had no inheritance. Their lifestyle dictated they were essential and others servants, be it indentured or enslaved people. When the Dutch ship landed in 1609 with the first boatload of enslaved Black people, it supplied the beginning of a vast selection of workers. Their Anglican priest had little influence. The plantation existence focused on the elite’s lavish lifestyle and the slaves bare existence.

We’re talking about European traditions and expectations. The protestant reformation happened in the late 1400s. Columbus brought the Roman Catholic version of Christianity to the New World, after which there were 250 years (1500-1750) of its expansion in the Americas. The English colonies and Protestant Reformation arrived early in the 1600s. By the end of the 18^th century, the people of the United States of America understood their roots. Their foundation supported the structure of the federal government. Protestant and secular men gathered to determine the future of the United States. Their great compromise ended in passing and ratifying the new Constitution. It declared all men were created equal, but it said nothing about achieving equal success. But again, men forgot God. Men, Christian men and secular men, saw the resources of a vast land and determined they’d get their share. All colors and ethnicities of men declared their intents. Many of them administered violence to each other.

What seemed like a good thing to Europeans, copying what the Spaniards did in South and Central America, led them on the trail to Manifest Destiny. Even their Christian background couldn’t keep them from using every advantage to advance themselves. Whether it be decimating natives, using up resources, or mandating illegal applications of Constitutional directives, Americans of all walks of life contributed to our degradation.

Still, there were remnants. The Methodist circuit riders saw significant expansion of awakening in the Christian community. Presbyterian ministers brought more revival. America as a nation started to turn back to God. Not white folks. Not black folks. Not immigrants. Americans.

And that’s the point of this post. What happened in American history includes many details obverse to our Christian heritage. But we shouldn’t forget those events, nor should we erase the account. On the contrary, we need to remember every one of the atrocities, wars, and examples of greed. Because when we do remember these things, our nature should take us back to the loving God who saw fit to keep North America sacrosanct until He had a plan for a country to grow in His grace.

America still lacks many of God’s principles. We should remember God doesn’t see persons. He sees reflections of Himself. Each of us has the same opportunities under the Constitution. As God’s children, each of us walks in a privilege of high standing with the Lord of lords. We must stay in touch with Him through His Word, prayer, and repentance to bring His kingdom into our lives.

It’s not an ethnic privilege to be an American, and it’s a mistake to consider it so.

Old, Ancient, or Aged?

 

“Let’s stop using the word “old” to describe ourselves or others. Worn out shoes are old. People age. And like with all fine things, aging brings out qualities to be admired and valued.” I found this statement on my Face Book and it sparked the following.

I believe today’s progressive movement continues its historical philosophy, “if it’s old, throw it away, change it, or don’t use it”. This was certainly the case in 1912 when the 17^th Amendment strong-armed its way into the Constitution. The system was old. It couldn’t possibly be of any value. People were smarter in 1912 than they were in the 18^th century. Look how poorly this system worked in that day. All the politicians elected by politicians were crooked. Change the document. Save the Union!

When in truth it wasn’t the document that needed fixing. The plainly written parchment worked through a great many trials in our nation’s history which included the very writing of it, the startup problems of a new country, continued attacks by Britain and Spain, the Industrial Revolution, huge national growth, and the Civil War, to name a few. It worked because of those checks and balances incorporated within this aging document. It was mankind who elected those politicians to the state legislative bodies. Those people elected the federal Senators. It wasn’t the system that broke, it was humans.

Now, one hundred and eleven years after the 17^th Amendment took effect, the Federal Government is so far out of balance there are death panels to determine who of our aged population receives healthcare, or more to the point, to determine those that will not receive healthcare. Now, federal court judges become activists and use their power to create law. Now, the Attorney General of the US resigns to elude prosecution. Now, a President can throw out the Constitution in favor of his phone and pen.

No, it wasn’t the Constitution broken in the early 1900s. Yes, it had seen some trying times. Yes, the same arguments discussed during the Constitutional Convention were still around. They still are today. But these arguments are not what the delegates ratified, unanimously. The Constitution’s existence up to 1912 performed like the opening statement here. It became more refined. It grew to be admired and respected around the world. It still is, or there wouldn’t be hordes of people crossing our borders in search of the American Dream.

And the basis of that dream stems from the Bill of Rights, otherwise known as the first ten amendments. These, too, are aging gracefully, but they are under attack by the progressives. Make no mistake about it. These Amendments have been around since 1792. That’s two hundred and thirty-four years. That’s way too long to suit progressives. The liberals would rather see you lose these rights, than protect them for the ages.

Stand up, America. Get off the couch on Election Day. Go Vote! Your Bill of Rights will disintegrate before your eyes if you do not.

Christmas and the Declaration of Independence

Initial exploration of the New World offered hope. It turned into riches taken and a failure to remember God for the Spaniard. For the French, a vast land with abundant wildlife and a failure to recognize God. For the English, an escape from the aristocracy and religious persecution. 

At first, the stresses and conditions of the new world offered little hope. Famine, death, attack from natives, and lack of a steady stream of supplies all contributed to the growth of fear. Great Britain sponsored a whole different level of pressure on the British subjects. The Atlantic seaboard colonists began to feel like second-class citizens of their homeland. 

We find the difference for the English settlers’ existence in their Christian principles, most often referred to as religion. Although the Anglican Church of England (a protestant take-off of the Pope’s empire) existed in Jamestown, the protestant reformation Pilgrims thrived. How? By establishing their principles in the Mayflower Compact and living a godly life. They worshipped God through Jesus Christ the best way they knew how. At every turn where it seemed disaster struck, they’d take a knee and offer repentance to God for whatever it was they were doing wrong. God blessed that. They also determined private ownership generated far more blessings than communal farming.

After one hundred and fifty years, a small vociferous group stood up to the giant. They declared why the world should know and understand their decision to break away from England. 

John Quincy Adams, a prominent founding father, made an early summarization of how Christmas and the Declaration of Independence relate. Here is a quote from him on the 61st anniversary of the Declaration.

“Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day? Is it not that, in a chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity and gave to the world the first irrevocable pledge of the fulfillment of the prophecies announced directly from heaven at the birth of the Savior and predicted by the greatest of the Hebrew prophets 600 years before.”

This Christmas season presents another opportunity for America to understand its roots. Another day for individuals to take stock of their spiritual lives and reconnect with God. Jesus came not to rule the world but to save the lost that they might be the children of God. It’s our birthright to accept Him and fulfill the prophetic call on America. 

Make no mistake about your life, which has an eternal existence beyond this earthly realm. Our founders understood it. Their existence depended on it. Consider the foundations of our Constitution and what the Declaration of Independence has done for you. Give America a chance at a reprieve from God’s wrath. Accept His call to you. 

Silence must not win

The following represents the talk I gave on Saturday 09 Nov 2019 on the National Mall in Washington, DC to a group of Americans struggling to bring America back to its roots. This concerns the 1st Amendment.

Silence!

          Every despot and tyrant demands it. Whether it be a government or a church, whenever you’re told to remain silent, you can expect tyranny. How many times have you been told it’s poor etiquette to discuss politics or religion in public? I was coming of age in the ‘60s and it was prevalent then. That’s over fifty years of influence in my life alone.

 Every citizen living under such expectation of a nation never experiences the opportunity of free speech. In fact, they first never think freely. They’ve been trained. They already know simple words attract attention, most of it horribly violent.

            When the aggression falls on the citizenry of a nation, the people must decide. Do they fall to their knees in subjugation, or do they stand? Think of what we know of other countries and how people responded to tyranny. Most of us use the term Molan Labe from the Spartan standoff against the King of Persia who intended to subjugate an entire state. The Scots and William Wallace stood against the English. Freedom!

            It’s obvious stories like these make excellent movies because mankind loves a righteous struggle against overwhelming odds, even though the outcome for the participants isn’t guaranteed. The story of America ranks among the most audacious. We the people, with little more than what we could carry on our backs, stood up.

            It started with a priest in Germany. The Roman Catholic church demanded only priests could read and interpret scripture. Martin Luther studied those scriptures and determined there were ninety-five items he didn’t agree with and posted them on the church door for all the community to see. He paid for this free thinking with his life, but the actions started a reformation of the way every day citizens could decide for themselves how to worship the God of the Universe.

            English history reflects the struggle to walk away from the demands of the Pope. King Henry VIII broke from the Roman church and founded his own, the Anglican Church of England. As the catholic church suppressed the people of Spain with a horrendous Inquisition, Henry committed an inquisition in England. If the citizens didn’t kowtow to his demands, they were thrown in jail. It was only slightly less violent than the catholic methods.

            From this experience a group of people ran. They left England and the Anglican Church and moved to the Netherlands. The Spanish Catholics attacked there to drive out the Protestants being tolerated by the government, so the English returned to their homeland. They still experienced subjugation under the British king. It was at this juncture they determined to get away from the king’s heavy hand. Their ship, the Mayflower, fought heavy seas and winds to arrive on the shores of Plymouth Rock in 1620, thirteen years after an Anglican priest arrived in Jamestown.

            The point is there’s a long standing history of the importance to the American people of their motivation to pursue God in a way that made sense to them. Our very foundation stood on the tenets of the Christian faith. Even though not every colonialist chose Christianity, the vast majority of them used the Bible or reading primers with scripture to learn how to read. They were instilled with a Christian worldview.

            We stand in this place today because a king refused to acknowledge the human rights of his citizens. The same people he was required by law to watch over and protect. Instead, he sent a standing army to occupy homes, suppress discussion of his inadequacy, and to quell the voices. People who had one hundred and fifty years of development as independents far removed from the king’s influence.

            So, we the people listed our issues against the tyrant so all the world understood our plight. There were twenty-nine issues, among which were his failure to respond to communication addressing his lack of attention to the needs of his citizens. “In every stage of the Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.”

            And so it is in today’s world we look back at how America came to be the most blessed and highly favored among nations. We look today at our Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Republic formed so many years ago. We see plainly the pus of mankind oozing out of our precious form of government because of the infection afflicting it. We have the right, no the duty, to call attention to the tyrannical actions exhibited by a bastardized version of our Constitution.

            The 1^st Amendment guarantees this right.

            “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

            We now look at the results of our founders work. Progressives took the initiative at the turn of the twentieth century to create the very form of government our founders warned against, a democracy where mob rule reigns. They convinced the nation the people should be electing Senators to come to Washington. The 17^th Amendment structurally changed how the Constitution’s checks and balances kept us on track. We now have two-thirds of our Republic under the control of popular vote.

            This assembly of people before me stands in agreement with the Redress of Grievances. You are the voice for the people who won’t vote. It’s imperative you continue to use your 1^st Amendment rights to free speech and redress. Our government only runs effectively when citizens participate. The silent majority have trashed our way of life. Many don’t understand how important the freedom of religion, in the context of the founding fathers’ Christian heritage, is to keeping America free. It’s so important it was the first thing our Continental Congress listed.

            You are aware of the trampling of our free speech rights as experienced in the press and on the internet. You are aware of the continuing persecution of the Christian faith of Americans and the forbidding of such things as prayer in schools and in our governmental bodies. You know Congress makes decisions not for the good of the people, but for their own prosperity. You know our hope lies in pulling down the darkness of progressivism. You’ve signed petitions. You’ve stood up. Now we must move forward.

            Make specific plans to follow up using your right to free speech. Take the time and effort to write a letter to the editor of your newspaper. They may not chose to print it, but if you persist and write again, you’ll find ways to influence them to post opposing views. Talk about the Redress of Grievances now posted in the White House. Stir up interest in seeing these grievances addressed and corrected.

            And just as importantly, reconnect with your Christian upbringing. Choose to bring yourself to the table of God’s grace. America has been and can be a city set on a hill for all the world to see the glory of God. It will take all of us exercising our first amendment rights to bring us back, to make America great again. 

Do not be silent.

Copyright 2019 Warren A Johnson

Pray for America's future

I gave the following prayer 09 Nov 2019 for the opening of the Declaration of Restoration rally of Americans in Washington, DC on the National Mall from 1100 to 1600 hours.

Almighty God, I give you praise and lift up your Holy name to these people. You and You alone stand between us and desolation. Your word tells us to be focused not on those around us, but on dark powers and principalities.

     I ask this day for Your light to shine on Capitol Hill. Expose the darkness and make it flee. Open the ears of our Congressional Representatives to hear and understand our grievances. Stir their hearts and minds this Saturday. Convict them of the need to remember it is You, The God of creation, the God of the universe, who ordained and put in place our government. Remind them our rights, our very liberty, isn’t found in the Constitution. It’s found in scripture and protected from government interference by the Constitution. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.

     Thank you for sending your angels to fight our battles, to protect us from evil, to propel us into all You planned for us, and to provide us the strength, the longsuffering, the intelligence, and the wherewithal to accomplish our task. Time is a constraint on mankind to help establish order, but You have no such constraints. Go before us, before the submission of the redress of grievances. Effect the changes to make Your government unhindered.

     As a child of God I take the responsibility to overcome evil this day. I speak with the authority of a child of God, and I stand in the gap to protect those unwilling or unable to protect themselves. I release here on earth those angels appointed to the people here, as you have already done in Heaven. Let the evil flee and your righteousness descend upon Washington, DC this day in history as you restore the United States of America to its appointed place of truth, justice, and the American way.

    All of this I speak through the glory and resurrection power of Jesus Christ our Lord, and in His name.

Amen           

©Warren A Johnson 2019

Are you old and of no value?

“Let’s stop using the word “old” to describe ourselves or others. Worn out shoes are old. People age. And like with all fine things, aging brings out qualities to be admired and valued.” I found this statement on my Face Book and it sparked the following.

I believe today’s progressive movement continues its historical philosophy, “if it’s old, throw it away, change it, or don’t use it”. This was certainly the case in 1912 when the 17^th Amendment strong-armed its way into the Constitution. The system was old. It couldn’t possibly be of any value. People were smarter then than they were in the 18^th century. Look how poorly this system worked in that day. All the politicians elected by politicians were crooked. Change the document. Save the Union!

When in truth it wasn’t the document that needed fixing. The plainly written parchment worked through a great many trials in our nation’s history which included the very writing of it, the startup problems of a new country, continued attacks by Britain and Spain, the Industrial Revolution, huge national growth and the Civil War, to name a few. It worked because of those checks and balances incorporated within this aging document. It was mankind who elected those politicians to the state legislative bodies. Those people elected the federal Senators. It wasn’t the system that broke, it was humans.

Now, one hundred and seven years after the 17^th Amendment took effect, the Federal Government is so far out of balance there are death panels to determine who of our aged population receives healthcare, or, more to the point, to determine those that will not receive healthcare. Now, federal court judges become activists and use their power to create law. Now, the Attorney General of the US resigns to elude prosecution. Now, a President can throw out the Constitution in favor of his phone and pen.

No, it wasn’t the Constitution broken in the early 1900s. Yes, it had seen some trying times. Yes, the same arguments discussed during the Constitutional Convention were still around. They still are today. But these arguments are not what the delegates ratified, unanimously. The Constitution’s existence up to 1912 performed like the opening statement here. It became more refined. It grew to be admired and respected around the world. It still is, or there wouldn’t be hordes of people crossing our borders in search of the American Dream.

And the basis of that dream stems from the Bill of Rights, otherwise known as the first ten amendments. These, too, are aging gracefully, but they are under attack by the progressives. Make no mistake about it. These Amendments have been around since 1792. That’s two hundred and twenty-seven years. That’s way too long to suit progressives. The liberals would rather see you lose these rights, than protect them for the ages.

Stand up, America. Get off the couch on Election Day. Go Vote! Your Bill of Rights will disintegrate before your eyes if you do not.

Sheepdogs of the Republic

Throughout the course of history, man suffered under someone else’s dominion. Your worldview presents a perspective on whether or not America benefits from our founding father’s vision, hope, and clarity as concerns our constitution and its applicability today. Yet the problem remains. Others want to force you into subjugation. Who is protecting you?

Take, for example, the First Amendment right to free speech. Up to the date of its establishment, every citizen of other countries rarely spoke up against their government because the quick response left them dead or imprisoned. The First Amendment also guarantees your right to freedom of religion; another instance of protecting the individual’s right to worship God other than the way the government sees fit, without fear of death or imprisonment as both the English and Spanish Inquisitions attested.

In the news across our land, revolutionaries walk the streets decrying the rights of others to speak. Most notably among them are the Antifa, with the Black Lives Matter and the New Black Panthers right behind them. Opposing organizations take the stand no one should be able to say such things, especially in public, and certainly not when carrying sticks and clubs to drive off any who would prevent their free speech right.

What is not often realized, nor reported by main stream media outlets, is there’s an organization working to protect constitutional rights. They do it from the very foundation of the constitution and the Second Amendment. They are known as the constitutional militia. Here in New York State, the New York Light Foot Militia (NYLFM), and other constitution loving groups like them, perform the function of standing between these opposing groups to ensure neither party comes to injury because of the other. This activity by the NYLFM is a neutral stance. It requires the members to lay down their personal opinions and to leave them home. It takes discipline and training to do this.

In the last eight months the NYLFM participated in standing in the gap in Syracuse, NY, Boston, MA, Gettysburg, PA, Harrisburg, PA, and they are headed to Charlottesville, VA. At each of these locations the LFM of various states work hand in hand with local police, sheriffs, state police, national park police, and at times, the FBI and federal marshals. The point here is the Light Foot Militia is doing so at their own expense, at risk to themselves, for the good of the constitutional rights of Americans.

Don’t sit home and decry the violence in our streets. You have been given the voice our founding fathers intended you to have. You have the right to speak about your views of the government. You have the right to speak about how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit give you life. If you don’t use your God-given rights, you will surely lose them by man’s predisposed actions.

It would be appropriate today to pray for the safety and well being of the NYLFM and their friends as they travel to once again stand in the gap to protect your rights, no matter which side you choose.

Are we a Christian nation?

Are We A Christian Nation?

Nation: 1. a large aggregate (a whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements) of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory. Oxford Dictionary

For other uses, see Nation (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with State (polity) or Country.

A nation (from Latin: natio, "people, tribe, kin, genus, class, flock") is a large group or collective of people with common characteristics attributed to them — including language, traditions, mores (customs), habitus (habits), and ethnicity. By comparison, a nation is more impersonal, abstract, and overtly political than an ethnic group. It is a cultural-political community that has become conscious of its autonomy, unity, and particular interests. Wikipedia

Discussions concerning whether or not the United States of America are a Christian nation always result in opposing worldviews declaring their side holds truth. For instance, be assured the US is not a Christian nation by these words: "The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion" John Adams. Where in the definition does it say anything about government? It does not. It specifically leaves out government because there are two types of government; those operated by a church, and those not operated by a church. Mr Jefferson adamantly stated the United States federal government proposed under the constitution would not tax the Anabaptists in Connecticut because there would be no state religion. The Wikipedia definition specifically notes nation is not to be confused with State or country, both of which are terms associated with government.

How does one determine if America ever was a Christian nation? One looks at the historical evidence. Start with Columbus because he has been the historical reference since the fifteenth century. Evidence mounts the Scandinavians touched here first by circa 1000 AD. However, they didn’t leave enough of a mark to create a nation of people.

Columbus’ story starts before his trip. He approached Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand six other times. They saw no reason to grant him a charter. On the seventh time of his audience, Queen Isabella decides to grant him his wish because Spain, three days before, successfully cast the Moors out of Spain. “On January 2nd 1492 Los Reyes Católicos marched into Granada and the last stronghold of Moorish Spain came to an end.” (http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/history/moorish-spain/) It is said she saw an opportunity to thank God for the miracle of repelling the Moors. She not only gave Columbus a charter (GIVEN at Granada, on the 30th of April, in the year of our Lord, 1492-I, THE KING, I, THE QUEEN.), but supplied him with a Jesuit to evangelize whatever lands Columbus found and claim them for the Spanish crown. Aside from the Spanish propensity for destroying the wealth of whatever nation it came up against by taking the riches back to Spain, Columbus also failed as a Christian by wrapping himself in greed. He lost all respect and died penniless. Yet the Catholic way continued to expand into the western American continent for another three centuries. For instance, Spanish priests founded San Francisco in 1776.

During the same time period the French took Jesuit priests with them down the St. Lawrence, across the Great Lakes, into the central plains, and down the Mississippi. By 1535 Cartier explored as far as Quebec City. Further penetration into the North American continent established colonies throughout the regions as far south as Louisiana. The Louisiana Purchase handily doubled the size of the United States’ possession in 1803.

The English Crown finally made a move with Roanoke, VA in 1587, but that colony failed when the Catholic Spanish Armada attacked Protestant Britain the following year, prohibiting any supplies or assistance from returning in 1588. Jamestown in 1607 became the first Protestant settlement on the entire east coast of the North American continent in over one hundred years of exploration.

This Christian settlement of the entire North American continent demonstrates how the nation of the United States came into being. The discussion continues with the coming of the Pilgrims in 1624. They were not separatists; they had a charter from the King of England to live “in the northern Virginia colony” as English subjects. They left England because of persecution by the Anglican Church of England. They wanted nothing to do with the Anglican Priest in Jamestown. They wanted to follow the Protestant Reformation practices, not those of King Henry’s church. Still, they were Christians.

So, when I hear comments concerning America and how she’s not, nor has ever been considered to be a Christian nation, I must object. Clearly, by definition, we are a people with a common heritage of Christianity in all its denominations. Were there Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, and New Age religions represented within the continent. Of course there were. Muslims were primarily the North African slaves without influence at the time in neither government nor culture and the same applies to most other segments of society, especially concerning the Atlantic coastal colonies. This statement does not downplay the atrocities committed against African, Irish, oriental, Hebrew, or native inhabitants. It doesn’t belittle their contributions of hard work or research and development any of them did, voluntarily or involuntarily. It’s simply a statement concerning how a nation is considered to be Christian according to the commonality of the people settling it.

History determines what constitutes a nation. Whether or not a particular people group lived, worked, contributed or grew significant within the concepts of what a nation is or may become, remains to be seen. One might consider hesitating when prone to demand the United States cannot be considered a Christian nation when all of its foundation is laid upon Christ’s Word spread across the continent on which it sits.

America's Responsibility

The Protestant Reformation guaranteed our ability to understand the scriptures in our own language. The execution of Mary Queen of Scots ensured British rulers knew law applied to them as well as to the people. The history of the colonies in America documented two hundred and fifty years of preparation before our forefathers  created a new form of government. America’s first try at government failed.

When the constitution hit the streets, everyone knew it required statesmen of character and morals to provide America with the best hope for the future. In today’s society, you have every right to ask, “Where are they?”

    Some of you already decided to vote along party lines in the election, probably because it’s what you’ve always done. Maybe you learned the party platforms and determined which one best represented you. Some of you struggle with your Christian worldview and wonder how you can vote at all given the circumstances. Some of you already determined there is no hope with the two candidates expected to win. Many of you are thinking my vote won’t make a difference.

    I’d like to point out your responsibility.

    Our constitutional republic requires your vote. We subject ourselves to cultural and media sources that tell us, “Your vote doesn’t count, especially in upstate NY.” Some have even said, “What difference does it make?” It certainly won’t if you stay home. The truth, as I see it, is your vote is your responsibility. It is required in order to adequately represent your way of thinking. Until everyone votes, neither candidates nor incumbents will understand America’s strength.

    The shame of America rests in the low turnout of voters. As long as people stay home from the polls, they will certainly NOT have a voice. Our right to representation guaranteed by the constitution is moot if you stay home. If you stay home, every other one of your rights is in jeopardy. If you stay home, church, God’s voice in the election disappears. Think about it. In a country where we are given the right to elect godly representatives, the Christian vote has been so low godly representatives don’t often run for office. The only way that will change is if YOU change it. Sitting home isn’t an option. If you don’t vote, you’ll have no right to voice an opinion about how bad things get when the country falls further into decline toward godlessness.

    Do not pass on your God given right, responsibility, and civic duty. Your vote does count. There’s too much at stake in this election for your voice not to be there. Rather than vote for the lesser of two evils, vote for the better of the candidates. Make America’s history report a turning point back toward God.