Constitution Party of Massachusetts

Separation of church & state? Lets find the TRUTH!
by Mike Crane

Across our land there has been a debate and a number of political and legal battles concerning the Display of The Ten Commandments. While I am certainly in favor of Displaying God’s Laws I have been puzzled by the arguments being put forth by the ACLU and others. They claim that such Display’s are unconstitutional based upon what they call, “ Separation of Church and State.” They claim that Our Founding Fathers intended to build a wall of separation between the Church and State and thus not only is the Display of God’s Laws unconstitutional but is contrary to Our Founding Father’s Principles.

Well these are certainly important arguments! If the ACLU and associates are protecting not only the Constitution but trying to implement the Principles of Our Founding Fathers then they certainly deserve some support. On the other hand if they are misrepresenting not only the Constitution but the principles of Our Founding Fathers as well, then they are simply abusing the system to force their agenda upon the citizens.

So lets find some TRUTH in this argument and debate. In this issue lets look at the Principles of Our Founding Fathers and see if we can find some TRUTH.

Being a good Southerner, I chose the Declaration of Independence as a starting point. After all, most people consider this document (written by a Southern Man) as the premier instrument of Our Founding Fathers. For this article will use the following introductory portion.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

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.

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.

So far every one is probably saying, “well so what Crane?” So now let me ask you, and the ACLU a very important question. Have you ever looked at documents written by Our Founding Fathers using a dictionary of that time period, especially the underlined words above? If not, get ready for a surprise and a glimpse into the TRUTH on this debate.

Someone has changed the definitions contained in our dictionaries! The words and meaning established by Our Founding Fathers haven’t changed, the commercially available dictionaries have changed!

For example the definitions of the word God in early 1800’s versus today:

Then – The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit, the Creator, and the Sovereign of the Universe.

God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John iv.

Now - A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions.

Another example using the definitions of the word Nature in early 1800’s versus today:

Then – In a general sense whatever is made or produced; a word that comprehends all of the works of God; the universe.And look through nature up to nature’s God. Pope

Now - The material world and its phenomena.

Reread this small portion of the writings of Our Founding Fathers twice. Once using today’s definitions of just these two words and a second time using the definitions that would have been in effect at the time of Our Founding Fathers. When you complete this small exercise, based upon just two words you will have a glimpse of the TRUTH.

THE TRUTH: On July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed in the Continental Congress they signed a document that was clearly understood and very clearly expressed a belief in Christianity. The same thing has happened to the definitions of Laws of Nature, Nature’s God, truths and their Creator in just this small portion of the Declaration.

By Creator and God they meant Jehovah, not Allah, Budda or Zeus. They did not mean anything other than what the usage of the words meant, Jehovah!

By Nature’s they meant the works of God, of Jehovah. They were not referring to The material world and its phenomena as the current dictionary defines Nature.

For the ACLU to imply that Our Founding Fathers would not approve of the public display of God’s Laws is ludicrous at best. They published for public display, at risk of life and limb, a document that stated their beliefs. Ladies & Gentlemen the ACLU and associates are selling you a bill of goods.

In fact anybody, even government agencies, that tell you Our Founding Fathers were opposed to public display of God’s Laws is selling you a bill of goods. It just isn’t true. No matter what the politically correct demand. No matter how many law suits are filed. It just isn’t true, and that is the TRUTH.

Thomas Jefferson, a Southern Man, had the following to say about atheism,

“It has been so impossible to contradict all of their lies, that I am determined to contradict none; for while I should be engaged with one, they would publish twenty new ones.”

The implications of the redefinition of our language range far beyond the debate on the Display of the Ten Commandments. Our Founding Fathers established American Liberty based upon the Laws of Nature and from the dictionary of their time:

Laws of Nature - These tendencies or determinations, whether called laws or affections of matter, have been established by the Creator, and are, with a particular felicity of expression, denominated, in Scripture, ordinances of Heaven.

By “Scripture” they meant the Bible, King James Version, not the Koran or the New York Times.

But the real questions are, who authorized changing the definitions of our language to remove the fundamental principles that were used to establish American Liberty? Did you vote for this? Were you even aware of it? Has this contributed to the decline of morality and our society?

[author’s note: A few weeks after writing the above article I had the opportunity to participate in a radio debate with Mrs. Headie Weinberg, head of the Tennessee ACLU. Once again she - as the representative of the Tennessee ACLU - made the statement that specifically “Our Founding Fathers” erected a “wall of separation.”

After some questioning of Mrs. Weinberg, she admitted that the basis of the ACLU lawsuit (in Hamilton County, Tennessee) was the 14th Amendment (enacted in 1867), which is the basis for the “wall of separation.”

When asked to name the Founding Fathers that were still alive in 1867 to do this deed, she of course could not answer the question. The reason is obvious, none of the Founding Fathers were alive in 1867!

The ACLU is simply re-writing history to serve their agenda. Of course, many those who oppose the Display of The Ten Commandments do not believe that lying is a sin either. - Mike Crane]

 

I have spent most of this past week out in Wisconsin spending time with my fiancée and her family.  This was actually the very first time I got to meet her family.  As you can imagine, I was quite nervous. I’ve never been an extremely outgoing person, but I did want to make a good first impression.  On the airplane, I was musing about just how to break the ice.  Her father and I both being Christian school administrators, I thought that might be a way to go…  Both her mother and I are very interested in politics…  However, it was something else that eventually broke the ice. 

It is funny, because I never gave it a thought.  I’m not a conscientious dresser, if I even match; chalk it up to dumb luck or coincidence.  So, little did I realize I came into a land of diehard Green Bay Packer fans wearing a New England Patriots sweatshirt.  Of course, I came into the situation with the security that comes from the Patriots previous thrashing of the Packers a few weeks ago.  But, that didn’t really matter here.  They were true fans and was the victim of deadly glances and ridiculing remarks.  Ok, it wasn’t that bad, but my shirt did illicit some conversation and I was forced to drink from a Packers coffee mug. 

We here in Massachusetts are pretty dedicated to our sports teams as well.  No matter how bad the Bruins are doing, they are still our team.  No matter how many years it took to win a championship, the Redsox are still number one in Bean Town.  We all still revel in the Celtic-dominated 1980’s and celebrate over each Patriot victory.  In truth we always root, root, root for the home team.    If they don’t do well this season, there’s always next year. 

In truth, I’m not a huge sports fan.  But being a guy, I kind have to at least keep up with it to some degree though it doesn’t really interest me.  What does interest me is the devotion sports fans show to their teams.  Win or lose, you support the team.  I wish we had this same devotion to values and principle.

Everyone is already talking about the 2008 presidential race.  I was listening to an interesting discussion on the radio about this as I drove home from work today.  The topic was, would you support John McCain if it meant keeping Hillary from the White House.  The conversation began by dismissing other candidates because they had little chance of winning.  So, according to this talk show host, you really only had two options.  What a shame this man has no apparent dedication to principles over politics.

The truth is, we don’t have to limit ourselves to only two options – Republican or Democrat.  I support the Constitution Party of Massachusetts.  Why?  Because here is a party dedicated to traditional marriage, Constitutional limited government and the sanctity of every human life.  These are values I uphold and cherish.  They are “my team.”  Win or lose, I only support candidates who uphold these values. 

Many voters in our last election were deceived into thinking that they had to vote for the lesser of two evils.   Not too many people I knew were happy with those on the ballot.  I was pleased to tell them about the write-in candidacy of Michael Carl for governor.  To their shame, most people chose the lesser of two evils.   They could not vote for Carl, he never stood a chance they reasoned.  So they jettisoned their principles and voted for the pro-choice, pro-gay rights Republican candidate. 

What is needed in our state is true patriots who will live and vote by principle, win or lose.   People who are committed to their values, no matter what public opinion may be.  Sure, we stand by the Bruins, Celtics, Redsox and Patriots no matter what their season holds, yet we are quick to toss aside principle for the sake of a potential winning candidacy.  What a shame.  We stand fast in trivial matters, and waver with the wind in serious affairs of state. 

Will some of you voters out there join me and add this to your list of New Year’s resolutions?

Resolved:  I will stand up for principle, righteousness and Biblical value while only supporting political candidates who will do the same.

If I can do this for the Pats, I can do it for my state.

As we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, remember that He’s the reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas to all and a prosperous, safe and blessed New Year!

Blessings,

Rev. Michael Carl

Co-Chairman, Constitution Party of Massachusetts 

 

I’ll begin my remarks by saying that I am an unapologetic, dyed-in-the-wool patriot.  I love the Lord Jesus Christ, the United States of America and the Biblical principles upon which this nation was founded.

I also love the Constitution Party and its principles as well.  My love for God, home and country is the reason the recent denunciations of the party and the angry responses are so upsetting.

That being said, my unsubstantiated accusations regarding the motives of Michael Peroutka and John Lofton were unjustified.  Even though I am not convinced of the value of the nationally broadcast denunciations of some CP Executive Committee actions, my publicly-displayed comments were inappropriate.

For whatever it’s worth, my desire is for all sides to work together to find a genuine, moral, Biblically-based solution that will strengthen the party and make us a viable force for rescuing America.  The publicly aired denunciations and name-calling must come to an end; constructive dialogue must ensue.  If these two things do not take place, the CP and the various state organisations will end up as a footnote in an almanac.  The Republicrats will win and the U. S. will cease to exist as we know it.  Does anyone reading this want this forecast to be a reality?

I think not.

To all my friends and associates in the Constitution Party of Ma. I want to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. It is a time of year we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Wonderful counselor, Kinsman Redeemer etc; Let’s never forget this the real reason for the season.

In Freedom

Rich

Recently I have been a party to some inappropriate remarks directed at John Lofton and Michael Peroutka. These were made in an Unchristian manner and I wish to offer my complete and sincere apology to both of them. These remarks were uncalled for and were made completely off of the top of my head without any consideration as to whom they would hurt. I have since looked into the subject that caused my dumb remarks and have now discovered that what John and Michael have been saying about the Constitution Party is fact. The party has lost its way and has become nothing more than a remake of the GOP. Shame on them and shame on the likes of Jim Clymer and Howard Phillips for compromising not only themselves but the integrity of the party for something called votes at the ballot box. Where that leaves me as far as the Constitution Party is concerned? I really don’t know. It would be my hope that this issue would be resolved by correcting the error that was made at Tampa and reinforced at Concord. The truly sad part is that I have placed my trust in those that are not worthy of that trust. My own opinion is that Mr. Clymer needs to step down as Chairman of the party and let someone with real integrity take the reins so that this party can be reestablished as the true party of the pro life movement that it once was. They have compromised their principles and the integrity of the party.

Again I want to address my apologies to Mr. Lofton and Mr. Peroutka for my poor judgement and inappropriate remarks.

My best regards to both of you gemtlemen and with Gods help the Republic will return to its once greatness. 

Rich Selfridge (chairman Constitution Party of Ma.) 

 

By Chuck Baldwin
December 22, 2006

• To restore America to its Judeo-Christian heritage…
• To protect and defend all human life and liberty as stated in the Bill of Rights, and…
• To bring governments down to their Constitutionally mandated size…