But our founders certainly didn’t believe that religious ideas should be excluded from the public square. Read what they said and compare it with the idea of “liberty” from religion today:

Patrick Henry: It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

George Washington: Of all the habits and dispositions which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.

John Jay, first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: It is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.

Thomas Jefferson: Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.

James Madison: We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government – far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.

John Quincy Adams: The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. We have not government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral religious people; it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. Why not read some of these quotes to your children or grandchildren before you watch the fireworks displays? I can’t think of a better way to celebrate!

— Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton