Our Endowed Rights

Constitutional liberties are a cherished gift resulting from the great work of the Founders. Their moral and religious convictions, based on a belief in a God, bequeathed us our inalienable rights.

Nov 22, 2021

The Declaration of Independence

Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

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. ... 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.

Click here for the entire text of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence (1776) recognizes the Creator as the source of inalienable rights secured by the government. This acknowledgment was the very foundation of the Constitution of the United States of America (1787). What are those unalienable rights with which we are endowed? They may be described in many ways, but English jurist Sir William Blackstone wrote in 1766, “... these may be reduced to three key precepts: 1) the right of personal security or life; 2) the right of personal liberty; and, 3) the right of private property...” Beautiful words.

The Declaration of Independence acknowledged that each person’s right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” are derived in an equal manner from a Creator, not from the government as people are “...endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.” The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution further defined these elements to life, liberty, and property. See Frederick R. Smith Speaks, The Constitution: Property and Free Markets.

The above was the guiding principle for the new nation, and it codified into a tangible charter for the government. The Constitution of The United States of America became that charter. Our Constitution embodied a unique idea, and nothing like it had ever been done before. The powerful idea was the recognition that individual rights are granted directly by the Creator (not by the State) and that the people, then and only then, grant rights to the government. The concept is so straightforward yet so very fundamental and overarching. We allowed the erosion of this foundation and lost the faith that these rights are a gift directly from God to each individual. As such, we lost the basis of the greatness of the miracle of America. Sadly were are there; see Frederick R. Smith, Madness Made to Order.

The Constitution of the United States of America

The United States Constitution, September 17, 1787 (Preamble)

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ...

Click here for the entire text of the Constitution.

Other forms of government, past and present, rely on the State as the originator of human rights. However, the Founders knew that the government included imperfect people exercising power over others. Accordingly, they knew that government should have only limited powers. Through the Constitution, they wished to “secure the blessings of liberty” for themselves and posterity by limiting the powers of government. Through it, they delegated to the government only those rights that would benefit the “general welfare” of the Union. The Founders even provided the means for limiting those powers they had granted to the government.

That was the uniquely American ideal and the problems we face today are due to the departure from the basic concept of limitations. Early generations of Americans pledged their lives and fortunes to the cause of individual freedom and limited government. They warned over and over again that eternal vigilance would be required to preserve that freedom for posterity. Unfortunately, collectivist and Nasty Neoconservative ideologies have gradually influenced legislation, and judicial activism by the Supreme Court has reversed the roles and given the government increasing power over individuals. Also, see Frederick R. Smith Speakes Festering Federal Courts.

Many people willingly accept being subservient through miseducation, manipulation, and subversion. Otherwise, it is tough to live where work provides for our needs. And that is like the meme “no pain, no gain.” My good collectivist friends, remember, laziness breeds Socialism. Harsh words, tough love.

While the Declaration of Independence directly acknowledges Divine Providence, the Constitution does not. The Constitutional Convention delegates already knew this vital precept as some states had an established religion. 1 It is no mere coincidence that many elements of the Constitution reflect Biblical law: 2

Article 1, Section 7, Paragraph 3 states, “If any bill shall not be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it. . .” Exodus 20:8-10 designated the seventh day as the Sabbath. Most Christians in eighteenth-century America believed Sunday to be the Sabbath and felt that they would honor God by not working.
- Ex. 20:8-10 | 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

Article I, Section 8, Clause 10 authorizes Congress to “Define and Punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations.” The Framers studied the great thinkers who used the term Law of Nations, an extension of natural God-given law.

Article I, Section 9 protects human rights by prohibiting Congress from doing certain things. Human rights are throughout the Bible and the theme that man is created in the image of God. There is punishment for kidnapping (Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7). The commandments “You shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15) and “You Shat not covet” (Exodus 20:17) confers property rights (guaranteed by the Bill of Rights at Article 5).
- Ex. 21:16 | He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.
- Deut. 24:7 | If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you.
- Ex. 20:15 | You shall not steal.
- Ex. 20:17 |You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Article I, Section 10, Paragraph 1 forbids states from enacting any “Law Impairing the Obligation of Contracts.” The Bible upholds the sacredness of an oath at Psalms 15:1&4.
- Ps. 15:1 | LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
- Ps. 15:4 | In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.

Article III, Section 3, Paragraph 1 states, “No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt act, or Confession in open Court.” The concept of more than one witness is in Deuteronomy 17:6 & 19:15, and 35:30.
- Deut. 17:6 | Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
- Deut. 19:15 | One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
- Num. 35:30 | Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.
Article III, Section 3, Paragraph 2 states, “... no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attained.” That closely parallels Deuteronomy 24:16, which forbids the punishment of families for the sins of their fathers. Daniel 6:24 illustrates how pagan nations would execute the criminal and his entire family.
- Deut. 24:16 | Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.
- Dan. 6:24 |And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions--them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

Article IV, Section 4 conveys that every State in the Union shall have a “Republican Form of Government.” The Framers knew that man is not perfectible, and both the citizens and the legislators had to be kept in check by laws. Duly elected legislators and fair laws by the Republican 3 form of government. The government of laws and not men parallels the truth that man is sinful and found throughout the Bible. Federalist Paper No. 51, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angles were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”

The Bill of Rights at Articles 4, 5, and 6 provides an orderly justice process. The concept of an ordered justice is in Exodus 18:13-16, 23:1-8; and Deuteronomy 17:6, and 19:15-21.
- Ex. 18:13-16 | 13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
- Ex. 23:1-8 | 1 “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. 3 You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute. 4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it. 6 “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. 7 Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. 8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.
- Deut. 17:6 | 6 Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
- Deut. 19:15-21 | 15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. 16 If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17 then both men in the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. 18 And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother, 19 then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you. 20 And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. 21 Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Analysis

Today, few people have an understanding of our legal and constitutional systems. With a shallow and dumbed-down curriculum, 4 few people know about the compelling philosophies behind our Founding. The significant philosophers that the founders referenced include:

Sir William Blackstone (1723 - 1780). As an English jurist, judge and politician, Blackstone was famous for the Commentaries of the Laws of England. Until recent times, “Commentaries” was the seminal work studied by lawyers. Because of its God-centered view of the law, it is relegated to the dustbin of history. The founders cited Blackstone for the connection between God and law, the role of judges, and the analysis of English Common Law. An essential component of Blackstone’s writings, Common Law, was built from Alfred the Great works which developed his legal code based on the Ten Commandments.

Johnathan Edwards (1703-1758). As an American preacher and philosopher with a Puritan background, Edwards nonetheless realized that a “Holy Commonwealth” would be problematic. He embraed the principle of a society not run by a church but with a strong faithful church witin it.

John Milton (1608 -1674). As an English poet and intellectual, Milton worked as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval and is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost (1667), considered one of the greatest works of literature. Milton was a staunch anti-Catholic, a sentiment that permeated throughout the Founding.

Charles Louis Joseph de Secondat, the Baron of Montesquieu of France (1689 – 1755). The Founders cited Montesquieu from his best-known work, The Spirit of Laws. Historians will say that Montesquieu was a Dieist because of his tenure in French universities during the enlightenment. However, Montesquieu was baptized a Catholic and died a Catholic. Montesquieu indicated that he believed that all law has its source in God in his works. In the Spirit of Laws, he declared that “. . . a modern government is most agreeable to the Christian Religion, and a despotic Government to the Mahommedan.” James Madison frequently referenced Montesquieu in his many contributions to the Federalist Papers. Montesquieu’s concept of a “mixed government” was the main principle behind the form of government detailed in our Constitution.

John Locke (1632 – 1704). Locke was a famous British philosopher and political thinker. His best-known works are the two treatises On Civil Government. Locke was born into a Puritan family. Some of his works can be labeled as “enlightenment,” while on the other hand, he demonstrated passionate Christian thinking. While he often focused on human reasoning, he often used this thought process to conclude Christian truths. Locke often cited the Bible in his writings, including the two treatises. Locke’s philosophy most influenced the writers of the Declaration of Independence. Locke wrote: “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.”

Samuel Rutherford (1600 – 1661). Rutherford was a Scottish Presbyterian pastor, theologian, and author and one of the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly. His most famous work Les Rex or Law of the Prince stressed the rules that derive authority from God as declared in scripture in Romans 13:1-4 and other passages. He also taught that God gave his authority to rulers through the people, a key element of our Founding.

The wonderful Dr. Benjamin Rush (1746 – 1813) best illustrates the Christianity of the Founding Fathers. He was a Pennsylvanian who signed the Declaration of Independence, and in 1788, he wrote:

I do not believe the Constitution was the offspring inspiration, but I am perfectly satisfied that the United States, in its form and adoption, is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testaments were the effects of a divine power… [the Federal and state constitutions were] the best repositories of the Gospel: I therefore suppose they are intended as preludes to a glorious manifestation of its power and influence upon the hearts of men.

In 1789 he further wrote:

I have always considered Christianity as the strong ground of republicanism. The spirit is opposed, not only to the splendor, but even to the very forms of monarchy, and many of its precepts have for their objects republican liberty and equality as well as simplicity, integrity, and economy in government. It is only necessary for republicanism to ally itself to the Christian religion to overturn all the corrupted political and religious institutions of the world.

Now that sure will make the Wicked Woke of the West go into meltdown mode. Good thing there are no prominent statues of the awe-inspiring good Doctor. 5

Those who despise any talk of Christianity linked to the Founding often claim Deism 6 to be the primary driver. In reality, it was the “religion” of just 3 out of 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The Deists were Hugh Williamson (NC), James Wilson (PA), and Benjamin Franklin (PA). 7 The religious status of James McClung (VA) continues to be debated. Our doubting friends may argue, “some of the delegates had Deist leanings and only attended Christian Churches for social or political reasons.” However, during this period, most of the churches required sworn adherence to strict creeds regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Convention convened in Philadelphia, May 14, 1787, and contention reigned for nearly five weeks. At this point, Benjamin Franklin stood to his feet in the convention hall and delivered an encouragement (recorded by James Madison in his collection of notes and debates):

The small progress we have made after four or five weeks was melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding. Rather than mere human understanding, the delegates needed something more, in Franklin’s words ‘the father of lights to illuminate our understandings ... And have we forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.

The most well-known of the three Diets, Benjamin Franklin likely, was never an orthodox Christian. However, based on the above testimony by James Madison, Franklin’s spoken words are counter to the Deist dogma that God does not interfere. In this case, it is essential to note that Franklin was very much in tune with the Bible. That is opposite the rationalist Deism touted today, which stipulates that all religions lead to God and there are no miracles. While Franklin was a Deist throughout his life, he co-existed in perfect harmony with his Christian friends. It would be excellent for all religions today to learn from this example.

The “third rail” to deal with concerns the topic of slavery. This “peculiar institution” was not the direct product of nor was it introduced by the Founding Fathers. Slavery has existed throughout the world since the beginning of recorded history. It still exists in parts of the world today. But we rarely hear about this modern slavery because of the God of political correctness. Nevertheless, the American Revolution was the turning point against slavery, and the Founding Fathers contributed to that transformation. Many Founders complained that Great Britain had forcefully imposed slavery upon the Colonies. 8

The First Amendment is an instrument to prevent the government from meddling in religion. However, based on the precepts of the Founders (i.e., their studies), they did not want hostility toward religion. The way it’s supposed to work is just like how the economy operates—the less the government interferes, the better. However, at the same time government should be encouraging these building blocks of society. The Founders did not use “separation of church and state” in the Constitution. Non-establishment is what they gave us, and the hostility we are currently experiencing is a symptom of the remolded clay-like First Amendment. Also, see Frederick R. Smith Speaks Natural Law, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution.

Concerning the often discussed topic of Freemasonry and the Founding, John Eidsmoe explains it well: 9

Masons claim that their organization is not a religious denomination. Members are required to believe in God and in life after death, but beyond that their religious creeds are their own. Many church bodies are critical of masonry, particularly the Catholic Church, some Lutheran synods, and many evangelical churches. They argue that masonry involves secrecy, promotes the idea of salvation by works, accepts all religions whether true or false, and is corrupted by Eastern mysticism and occultism. Other Christians defend masonry because it encourages men to be faithful to their respective churches, promotes prayer, and engages in good works. This is not the occasion to take a position on whether or not Christians should be involved with Freemasonry. The important point to note is that, then as now, Christians frequently were masons.

The influence of Freemasonry on the founding fathers of this nation has been the subject of much discussion and concern. It is true that some of the founding fathers were masons. Benjamin Franklin was a Master Mason. George Washington was also a Mason, although he wrote to a friend in 1797 that he had not attended lodge meetings more than once or twice in the preceding thirty years.

The fact that some of the founding fathers were masons in no way suggests that they were not Christians. There is evidence that even Rev. John Witherspoon, the orthodox Presbyterian minister who signed the Declaration of Independence and influenced many of the founding fathers, may have been a Mason. Dr. M. E. Bradford refers to Daniel Carroll, delegate to the Convention from Maryland and brother of the Archbishop of Baltimore, as “a Mason; and a generous supporter of his church” (Roman Catholic).

Part of the reason for concern over masonry is the fact that in some parts of the world, France in particular, the lodge was a hotbed of radical thinking. This does not appear to have been true in America. Carl Van Doren notes in his biography of Franklin that, “Freemasonry in America had been social and local, with little influence in politics. In France, it was freethinking and opposed to absolutism.”

An eighteenth-century American might join a masonic lodge for a variety of reasons: to find friends, to engage in social activities, to make business or political contacts, or to help promote the good works and lofty ideals supported by freemasonry. Lodge membership then says very little about a person's Christian faith, except that it confirms he does believe in God and in life after death.

Your Author has many friends and acquaintances involved with Masonic Lodges. Great men. We have fruitful relationships despite long past intrigue between Freemasonry and Your Author’s religion. That personal experience illustrates the lost American ideal of a melting pot where all people can be good neighbors. Place a sign on the front lawn expressing this wonderful and positive meme: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR NO EXCEPTIONS.

Our constitutional liberties are a cherished gift resulting from the great work of the Founders. Their moral and religious convictions, based on a belief in a God, bequeathed us our inalienable rights. God, who created heaven and earth, coupled with his fixed and unchanging absolutes, gives eternal salvation to those who so choose.

And of course, despite the awe-inspiring aspects of our foundational documents, the National Archives Slaps ‘Harmful Content’ Warning On Constitution, All Other Founding Documents. What a demanding and disgusting slap in the face to our history. Just the ticket (not) in our hyper-WOKE world. Such a simple-minded Stalinist warning projected to a miseducated citizenry will debase the oath of office government employees and military recites when entering service. This dark, sinister, and vile collectivist worldview must be exposed, ridiculed, rejected, and resisted. Now and forever.

Recommend reading

Frederick R. Smith Speaks, Constitution

Sources

King James Bible (selected version for reference because of its predominant use by the Founders)
Christianity and the Constitution: The Faith of Our Founding Fathers, John Eidsmoe
Separation of Church and State, Philip Hamburger
The American Ideal of 1776: The Twelve Basic American Principles, Hamilton Abert Long

Cogent Author and publisher, Frederick R. Smith