History: City on the hill

In 1630 future Governor John Winthrop sailed with one of the first groups of puritans to Boston. While on board he deliver what is called the "little speech". In this address Winthrop referred to the new colonies as "the city on the hill". He took the phrase from the book of Mathew in the Bible. Winthrop believed that the new colonies had a heavy responsibility from God, "for we must Consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people are upon us; so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world." The colonies, established by groups like the puritans, were the foundation for a new nation. Eventually the colonies would revolt against Great Britain, write their own Constitution and establish a new republic. However the idea that America is a "city on the hill" has continued to be embedded in our nations history. In 1961 President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech in which he stated,

"Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us—and our governments, in every branch, at every level, national, state and local, must be as a city upon a hill—constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust and their great responsibilities."In his farewell address delivered in 1989 President Ronald Reagan recounted how he believed America was doing with this endeavor, 

"I've spoken of the shining city all my political life…. And how stands the city on this winter night? … After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true to the granite ridge, and her glow has held no matter what storm. And she's still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home." Of course Reagan and Kennedy are not the only presidents to make this biblical reference in fact Clinton, Bush, Carter, Nixon, Eisenhower, Roosevelt, Truman, Hoover, and Coolidge, are just some of the more recent presidents who have made similar statements. The idea that America is set up as an example to the world and is accountable to God has a along standing history in our nation. Religion is so intertwined in Americas history that it is almost impossible to separate the two. Though great effort has been made to to eliminate this aspect of our history it can never be truly blacked out. Religious ideals and beliefs were the foundation on which the American society built.

History: Washington's farewell address

George Washington attributed the Colonists success in the Revolutionary war to God. He strongly believed that in order for a nation to have political prosperity they must have religious freedom. The following is an excerpt from Washington's Farewell Address (1796).

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens? The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Watch It: Ronald Reagan (public official expresses his religious beliefs)

FYI: Mormon Apostle: Believers Should Join Together to Defend Free Exercise of Faith

Dallin H. Oaks attended University of Chicago School of Law. He practiced law in Chicago and became a law professor at University of Chicago School of Law. Oaks served at the Illinois Constitutional Convention as a legal consultant to the Bill of Rights Committee. Oaks was the President of Brigham Young University and was also appointed to the Utah Supreme Court. Oaks was listed as a United States Supreme Court Justice nominee in 1976 under President Ford and again in 1981 by the Reagan administration. Oaks is also a religious leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. Oaks delivered the following address at Brigham Young University Idaho however he directed it to all who support religious freedom. Dallin H. Oaks has given several similar lectures on religious freedom.

Mormon Apostle: Believers Should Join Together to Defend Free Exercise of Faith

FYI: 5 questions about the Hobby Lobby case and contraceptive coverage

5 questions about the Hobby Lobby case and contraceptive coverage

FYI: Religious Freedom Linked to Economic Growth, Finds Global Study

Religious Freedom Linked to Economic Growth, Finds Global Study

News Flash: Hobby Lobby Is a Win, But Religious Freedom Is Still Fading

Hobby Lobby Is a Win, But Religious Freedom Is Still Fading

Watch it: Preserving Religious Freedom

Watch it: Clay Christensen on Religious Freedom

News Flash:Washington State Sues Florist for Refusing Gay Couple's Wedding

Washington State Sues Florist for Refusing Gay Couple's Wedding

News Flash: Take the pictures

Refusing to Photograph a Gay Wedding Isn't Hateful

Establishment v. Exercise

The 1st amendment contains two religion clauses; the establishment clause and the exercise clause. Both play a vital role in facilitating religious liberties in the United States. In addition to preventing the government from establishing an official national religion the exercise clause also prevents the government from favoring one religion over the other. The purpose of the exercise clause is protect an individuals right to exercise the religion of their choice. Religion is an essential aspect of a free society. Washington was a firm believer in the need for religion on society. In his farewell address he stated, "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education..reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." Like Washington the Founders understood the importance of religion in society which is why they included in the 1st amendment the protection of this right. have begun to pit establishment verse exercise. In an attempt to prevent America from establishing a national government they began to eliminate public expression of religion. This began with eliminating any prayer from school no matter the denomination. Traditionally religious holidays could not be celebrated unless they were secularized. Public display of religious  ideals such as the ten commandments or nativity scenes have been  removed from public view. In recent years the fight against religious exercise has expanded to private life. Bakers who refuse, for religious beliefs, to make a wedding cake for a same sex wedding are fined. Hotels, who for religious beliefs, refuse to host a wedding for same sex couples are fined and labeled as a bigot and hatter.
It is evident that the establishment clause has overturned the exercise clause and what was intended to protect religious beliefs and exercise from government intervention is now being used to attack it. It is vital that we as Americans have an understanding about our religious heritage, our religious freedoms, and our religious rights.