On July 4th we celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. America was established on July 4th, 1776. America in this year succeeded, through the grace of God, in declaring independence from Great Britain. One of the greatest contributions of American independence to the world is the belief that the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are divine rights. In other words, these rights come from God and cannot be taken away by any government. These rights are written into the fabric of humanity. This means that every human being, by their nature, deserves to be free. President George W. Bush said it best:
“You live in a land that is compassionate and decent. Because we believe in the rights and dignity of our own citizenry, we are committed to defending the rights and dignity of people everywhere. America has liberated millions around the world from tyranny and terror. We’ve helped turn the tide against deadly disease in places like Africa. In our hearts we believe all are created equal under God. The liberty we prize is not America’s gift to the world, it is Almighty God’s gift to humanity.” (Remarks by Fmr. President George W. Bush at SMU’s 100th Spring Commencement Convocation, 5/16/2015)
Sadly, America has not always remained faithful to her founding principles. Through slavery, segregation, abortion, homosexual marriage, and euthanasia, etc… America has walked away from the respect of human dignity and the meaning of the human person. America can return to her founding principles if her citizens pray, fast, and form her population in Judeo-Christian ethic. Building a culture of life is hard work but through the grace of God anything is possible. America, of course, has done great things in her history such as freeing the persecuted and landing on the moon. July the 4th is a time for Americans to celebrate and remember their rich history and to also take the time to remember the flaws and that America still has a lot of work to do to become a holy nation.
May God bless America and may He be the one in whom we trust!
People of God 