There is much discussion about the so-called "separation of church and state." But what did our Founders intend?
Some of the most important monuments, buildings and landmarks in Washington, D.C., include religious words, symbols and imagery. In the United States capitol the declaration "In God We Trust" is prominently displayed in both the United States House and Senate Chambers.
Around the top of the walls in the House Chamber appear images of 23 great lawgivers from across the centuries, but Moses (the lawgiver, who - according to the Bible - originally received the law from God) is the only lawgiver honored with a full face view, looking down on the proceedings of the House.
Religious artwork is found throughout the United States capitol, including in the rotunda where the prayer service of Christopher Columbus, the baptism of Pocahontas, and the prayer and Bible study of the Pilgrims are all prominently displayed; in the Cox Corridor of the capitol where the words "America! God shed His grace on thee" are inscribed; at the east Senate entrance with the words "Annuit Coeptis", which is Latin for "God has favored our undertakings."
Images of the Ten Commandments are found in many federal buildings across Washington, D.C., including in bronze in the floor of the national archives; in a bronze statue of Moses in the main reading room of the Library of Congress; in numerous locations at the U.S. Supreme Court, including in the frieze above the Justices, the oak door at the rear of the chamber, the gable apex, and in dozens of locations on the bronze latticework surrounding the Supreme Court Bar seating.
In the Washington Monument not only are numerous Bible verses and religious acknowledgements carved on memorial blocks in the walls, including the phrases: "Holiness to the Lord" (Exodus 28:26, 30:30, Isaiah 23:18, Zechariah 14:20), "Search the Scriptures" (John 5:39), "The memory of the just is blessed" (Proverbs 10:7), "May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence" and "In God We Trust", but the Latin inscription Laus Deo meaning "Praise be to God" is engraved on the monument's capstone.
In the Library of Congress, The Giant Bible of Mainz, and The Gutenberg Bible are on prominent permanent display and etched on the walls are Bible verses, including: "The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (John 1:5); "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7); "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8); and "The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1).
Numerous other of the most important American government leaders, institutions, monuments, buildings, and landmarks both openly acknowledge and incorporate religious words, symbols and imagery into official venues.
Such acknowledgments are even more frequent at the state and local level than at the federal level, where thousands of such acknowledgments exist.
The religious foundations of faith on which America was built are critical underpinnings of our nation's most valuable institutions and form the inseparable foundation for America's representative processes, legal systems, and societal structures. (Excerpted from H. Res. 888 [110th]: Congressman Randy Forbes.)
We encourage readers to pray for America daily and seek God for another Great Awakening.
Tim & Penny Morbitzer
North Manchester, via e-mail
Note: This letter was editied to conform more closely to the 500-word limit stated in our "Letters Policy."
