Years back, I remember witnessing to a muslim man at one of our neighborhood grocery store parking lots and he got a little vehement. He actually knew a little Hebrew, so I asked him what 'echad' meant and then showed him how he was wrong in stating that the tri-unity of God was not in the O.T.
Ironically, he kept telling me how detrimental Christianity was going to be for my children and all the while he had to keep turning to tell his children to be quiet and settle down in the car, while my two young daughters just sat there quietly listening to the discussion.

I have missed a lot in life but nothing that I miss.

"Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." Philippians 4:11,12

I was not able to access your posted address. In the meantime I am awaiting a possible reply from the source, Dr. Lutz.

Simply browsing a primary document today - "Letters of Benjamin Rush, Volume II .
1793-1813."

Which is proper: Sharia Law (state religion), humanistic secularism("do what is right in your own eyes", man's relative truth leading to a morally bankrupt society who's slogan becomes - "lust or bust!") or God's moral Biblical law?

Please, give your interpretation of the 1st. Amend. and the Constitution. Or, preferably a quote in context from an authority from that time period(18th. or 19th. Cents.).

We have reached the point where the humanists do not care about the correspondence of our founders. If you would like, I can furnish the sources that show that "94%" of our founding fathers quotes are based either directly or indirectly from the Bible.

Heavy in it's weight was the reason I included J. Adams quote. Pertinent to the discussion, he was the President who actually signed the Treaty. The context for the quote can easily be found on the net.

There is a major difference between a state religion and a state that allows liberty of conscience in regards to personal worship but is built and rests on Biblical principles, NOT SHARIA LAW!

It may have been Mr. Barlow's attempt but it definitely was not representative of our Founders feelings. The Treaty shows(not only that the moslems believed that they were dealing with a "Christian nation")but that the Senate simply wanted to reassure the moslems that this new nation had no warring attitude towards them simply based on their religion or law.

John Adams, sitting as President at the time the Treaty reached Philadelphia, wrote to Jefferson in a letter on June 28, 1813:

"The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence were...THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY..."

Ouini, Iowa,
John Eidsmoe, in, "Christianity and the Constitution, The Faith of Our Founding Fathers", Appendix I: Treaty of Tripoli,says:

(3)"There is evidence that Article 11 was actually not part of the Treaty of Tripoli. Consider the following entry from, 'Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776-1949.':
"...does not exist at all. There is no Article 11: The Arabic text which is between Articles 10 and 12 is in form a letter crude and flamboyant and withal quite unimportant, from the Dey of Algiers to the Pasha of Tripoli."
"(4)Piracy continued despite the Treaty; the United States went to war with Tripoli in 1801. A new treaty with Tripoli, which does not contain the phrase in question, was accepted on April 17, 1806."
"...the Treaty cannot be used as evidence that Washington-or Adams, for that matter-did not believe this nation was founded on Christian principles."

Man's religiosity.
Pure pomposity.
Way, deep down.
So, unsound.
Mankind's sin - is sweet.
Depraved heart - DECEIT!
Boastful - God should!
Holy God - how could?
Lamb of God, without spot.
Price so high, must be bought.
Unjust - every deed.
PERFECT ONE - must bleed.
Divine justice.
Yes, He must.
God, die - for your filth.
Beg and plead - God, wilt.
You'll never make it.
YOU cannot shake it.
Unless, Christ take it?
YOU shall not fake it.
The time is short.
For your deport.
By HIM - do well.
Christ - or hell.
Opened heart, understands.
Christ starts, love commands.
Once, so hateful.
Now, so grateful.
Totally changed.
Or hell arranged.
Before God, no blame.
Gospel, not ashamed.
Joyful, with every loss.
Christ-like, bearing your cross.
"If", Christ be known.
You're not your own.
Partial Christ you pick.
Is a heart still sick.
Spiritual healing.
More than just feeling.
Good News - or scare.
Are YOU there?
Be assured!
You must be cured!
"Judgment Day", coming.
To Christ, go running.
Without a care?
You will be there!!!
Disciples share.
A fool would dare.

This address was given at the G CoMM Asia 2010. It seems as though the market-driven, Mega Church Theology, is continuing to make inroads abroad. Their site speaks of course of an "unchurched" continent.

The Christian Post, "Conference Highlights Impact of Music on World Mission", Mar.10, 2010, states, "Pastor Lee, besides music, GGMM will also be focusing on the use of the creative arts and multimedia in spreading the gospel."

Also, "The Word of God transmitted in any other form is just as powerful. Such, is the conviction of the organizers of an upcoming conference focusing on the impact of music in world evangelization."

In hindsight, I have to agree with you. My statement regarding Mr. Coolidge, went a little too far(I would not classify him, with G. Washington or P. Henry). However, his actions seem to distinguish him as a man of great character(especially in the political realm).

I do believe that many people can be misrepresented when they use language with metaphors for effect. This treatise is probably similar to Abraham Lincoln's, Gettysburg Address, when he mentioned that battlefield as being "hallowed ground".

I do not believe that the spiritual(as opposed to the material)of C.Coolidge's treatise was anything that might confuse with the Romanists,ie., the kissing of the Liberty Bell as the Papists do the foot of Peter at St. Peters).

Metaphorical, eg., "But how our interest and wonder increase when we behold the 'miracle' of the birth of a new nation." Or, notice the simile as: "...world came to Philadelphis as a 'holy shrine'." Or, "It is little wonder that people at home and abroad consider Independence Hall as "hallowed ground" and revere the Liberty Bell as a sacred relic.

What Mr. Coolidge was trying to communicate were the expressed ideals of equality, liberty, etc.

In opposition to most of the American politicians today, this treatise actually shows an informed opinion.

Btw, no false pretense or political expediency for Mr. Calvin. A 1919 police strike had him call out the nation guard. When warned by his colleagues that this would be disastrous to his political future (not yet president)and the Rep. Party, he replied, "You may be right", and signed the paper.(documentation given)

Since you desired a positive character assessment, where is your documentation against the character of this man?

You imply that the reason that the Lord's Day has been supplanted in the U.S.A is because of the July 4 celebration?

Of course there is metaphorical language used as in all discourse. I have read the entire treatise and I believe that many people in our country today have not even read the Dec. of Ind. and have been negatively influenced by the historical revisionists, Scleshinger, et alii.

Jim Lincoln,

You wrote:
"After all, the chief business of the American people is business. They are profoundly concerned with producing, buying, selling, investing and prospering in the world."

In Coolidge's same speech:
"The accumulation of wealth cannot be justified as the chief end of existence."

Elsewhere:
"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."

"political appeal"? If only we had true public servants in America today, such as Calvin Coolidge. If ever there was a man of no false pretense it was him. America's famed rewriters of history reined him in also.

According to the Heritage Foundation all his presidential term accomplished was:
- National debt was almost cut IN HALF!
- Unemployment was at 3.6%
- Comsumer prices rose just 0.4%
- 17.5% increase in the nations wealth!
- 1920's illiteracy fell nearly in half.