I reallyyy need help with this one question please---
2. What evidence in the Declaration of Independence is there of religious faith? How does this religious faith influence the ideals expressed in the Declaration?
I see some mentioning of religious faith in the first two paragraphs of the Declaration. Is that it? And if so, I still need help with the second part of the question...
Thanks
-MC
Do you see evidence of religious faith in here? What is it exactly?
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
Do you see evidence of religious faith in here? What is it exactly?
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are 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, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
What do you think the parts I've italicized (they aren't italicized in the original document) tell you about the beliefs of the writers?
Do you see evidence of religious faith in here? What is it exactly?
"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
As with all Wikipedia search results, be sure to check out all the external links and further references at the bottom of each Wikipedia page.
Also:
http://christianity.about.com/od/independenceday/a/foundingfathers.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin
Thanks so much! That was great help. (:
-MC
To identify evidence of religious faith in the Declaration of Independence, you're on the right track by looking at the first two paragraphs. Here are some key points to consider:
1. One reference to religious faith is found in the opening sentence of the second paragraph, which states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..."
Here, the mention of a "Creator" implies a belief in a higher power or divine being. This suggests that the Founding Fathers believed that individuals' rights were not simply granted by a government, but derived from a higher source.
2. Another reference to religious faith can be found in the closing paragraph, where the signers appeal "to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions."
Here, the use of the term "Supreme Judge" suggests a belief in a higher moral authority and a recognition that their actions would be ultimately judged by this higher power.
These references to a Creator and a Supreme Judge indicate a belief in a higher power and a recognition that fundamental rights are derived from this higher authority, not solely from human institutions.
Now let's move on to how religious faith influences the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence:
1. Religious faith provided a moral foundation for the principles of equality and unalienable rights expressed in the Declaration. By acknowledging that these rights were endowed by a Creator, the Founding Fathers established a moral basis for the protection of individual liberties that transcended the power of any government.
2. The belief in a divine moral authority also influenced the idea that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. If individuals have certain God-given rights, it follows that governments exist to secure and protect those rights rather than infringe upon them.
Religious faith, therefore, played a significant role in shaping the ideals and principles of the Declaration of Independence, grounding them in a higher moral authority and emphasizing the importance of individual rights and limited government.
I hope this explanation helps you understand the evidence of religious faith in the Declaration and its influence on the ideals expressed. Let me know if you have any further questions!