These days, Independence Day is all about fireworks, flags, parades, and barbecues. Surprisingly, a recent poll shows that about 33% of Americans aren’t celebrating what could be seen as the nation’s 249th birthday. In fact, around 41% seem to be unsure about the significance of July 4th itself.
As we approach the 250th anniversary next year, it seems crucial to make a concerted effort to inform people about the sacrifices made to establish our country. There’s a lot of focus on the fun part of holidays, but little recognition of the bravery that went into creating our nation. The Declaration of Independence, you know, marked a major break from the UK and was a significant event in global history.
More importantly, the role of God in this declaration is often overlooked. There are actually three significant mentions of God that have changed the course of history. A recent example is when former President Trump expressed his gratitude to God following military actions in Iran. He said something along the lines of wanting to thank everyone, especially God, and conveyed a love for the military as well.
When reflecting, it’s fascinating to think how the founders positioned God in their fight for independence. The struggle against England was truly like David versus Goliath, with revolutionary leaders relying on divine support in both a philosophical and military sense.
Let’s break down the references to God in the Declaration of Independence. The opening paragraph starts with a long, complex sentence about the need to dissolve political ties, emphasizing the importance of equality and natural rights.
Essentially, the founders grounded their declaration in what they called “God’s Law of Nature.” They believed these were universal rights bestowed by God, forming a moral order that society must follow to thrive.
The second mention comes in the well-known assertion that “all men are created equal” and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including the pursuit of life and happiness. This perspective was groundbreaking because, before this, rights were typically granted by kings. The declaration went on to outline numerous grievances against the British crown for violating these rights.
President Ronald Reagan captured this innovative idea beautifully in a 1981 Independence Day piece, noting that somewhere along the way, Americans began to truly grasp the meaning of the day. He emphasized that July 4th is a reminder of a philosophical revolution — one that acknowledged all humans have God-given rights.
The final reference to God appears in the declaration’s closing paragraph, where the founders express reliance on divine providence as they pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to one another. It’s striking how openly they demonstrated faith in God’s protection as they sought to establish a new nation on the principles of natural rights.
Through remarkable persistence, by September 3, 1783, the 13 states achieved independence from British rule. Fast forward to 1945, and the United States emerged as a global superpower.
Yet, on this year’s 249th anniversary, the nation faces challenges that might mirror the founders’ fears about power consolidation and loss of balance. The system of checks and balances, designed to prevent any one branch from overpowering the others, faced significant stress during the events of January 6, 2021, and surprisingly, it held up.
At this point, some might argue that there’s a concerning trend towards expanding executive power, something that could shift the balance among the branches of government in ways that aren’t ideal.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor has recently warned the public about the importance of maintaining the rule of law, noting that democracy relies on courage from all branches to sustain it.
As the fireworks go off, it’s worth remembering that alongside the Declaration of Independence, America requires a steadfast confidence in God’s providence.
On July 4th, may God bless America!
