Page 16
The INDEPENDENT,July 18, 2002
Letters to the Editor
From page 3
vine Providence,” pledged to
each other their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honor.
This is part of our heritage,
the recognition that our rights
come from our “Creator” not
from the government or from
the military or from politicians.
Our inheritance is that we can
appeal “to the Supreme Judge
of the World” and He will listen.
The legacy that our founding
fathers provided us with is the
“reliance on the protection of
Divine Providence”.
Our birthright is a country
based on the free exercise of
religion. Thomas Jefferson de
clared that “No men shall...suf
fer on account of his religious
opinions or belief, but all men
shall be free to profess and by
argument to maintain, their
opinion in matters of religion.”
George Washington wrote
“Every man, conducting himself
as a good citizen, and being ac
countable along to God for his
religious opinions, out to be
protected in worshipping the
Deity according to the dictates
of his own conscience.”
Our bequest is Godly men
and women who recognized
and verbalized our need to
seek God. Benjamin Franklin
spoke to this issue when he ad
dressed the Constitutional Con
vention on June 28, 1787. “In
the beginning of the Contest
with G. Britain, when we were from being rivals or enemies,
sensible of danger, we had dai religion and law are twin sis
ly prayer in this room for Divine ters, friends and mutual assis
protection. Our prayers, Sir, tants. Indeed, these two sci
were heard, and they were gra ences run into each other. The
ciously answered... have we divine law, as discovered by
now forgotten that powerful reason and the moral sense,
Friend? Or do we imagine we forms an essential part of both.”
no longer need His assistance? John Adams was resolute in his
I have lived, Sir, a long time, belief that “It is religion and
and the longer I live, the more morality alone which can estab
convincing proofs I see of this lish the principles upon which
truth - that God governs in the freedom can securely stand.
affairs of men. And if a sparrow The only foundation of a free
cannot fall to the ground with constitution is pure virtue.” Rev.
out His notice, is it probable John Witherspoon, a signer of
that an empire can rise without the Declaration of Indepen
His aid? ... I therefore beg to dence, stated, “It is in the man
move - that henceforth prayers of piety and inward principle,
imploring the assistance of that we may expect to find the
Heaven, and its blessing on our uncorrupted patriot, the useful
deliberations, be held in this citizen, and the invincible sol
Assembly every morning be dier. God grant that in America
fore we proceed to business..." true religion and civil liberty
It was never the intent of our
founding fathers to separate
POLICY ON
our public life from our private
life. They saw that faith in God
LETTERS
was good for the governed and
for government. George Wash
The INDEPENDENT wel-
ington commented, “While just
comes readers’ letters and
government protects all in their
will publish as many as pos
religious rights, true religion af
sible. All letters must be
fords to government its surest
signed, including those sent
support”. John Adams stated,
by fax, and include a verifi
“our Constitution was made
able address and telephone
only for a moral and religious
number, which will not be
people. It is wholly inadequate
printed except at the writer’s
to the government of any oth
request. Unsigned letters will
er.” James Wilson, a signer of
not be published.
the Constitution observed, “Far
may be inseparable and that
the unjust attempts to destroy
the one, may in the issue, tend
to the support and establish
ment of both.”
Let us not disregard these
legacies. What is important is,
Who gave us liberty and what
are we to do with it? Bear in
mind Thomas Jefferson’s state
ment, “God who gave us life
gave us liberty. And can the lib
erties of a national be thought
secure when we have removed
their only firm basis, a convic
tion in the minds of the people
that these liberties are the gift
of God? That they are not to be
violated but with His wrath? In
deed, I tremble for my country
when I reflect that God is just;
that his justice cannot sleep for
ever.”
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Benedict
Vernonia
MYTH:
Catholics have no Biblical basis
for what they believe about salvation,
the sacraments, the Mass, Mary, the papacy,
purgatory, prayers to the saints, etc. etc.
FACT:
Get ready for the surprise of your life.
Come for a FREE talk
(followed by Q & A session to take aH your questions)
by
Gerry Matatics
Internationally known Catholic speaker
(Lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Notre Dame, Boston College, etc.)
Former university & seminary professor of Sacred Scripture, theology & apologetics
Former ordained Protestant minister, Presbyterian Church in America
M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Seminary; ABD for Ph D., Westminster Theological Seminary
Founder & President, Biblical Foundations International
How the Bible
Converted Me to Catholicism:
One Protestant Minister’s Pilgrimage
Thursday
August 1, 2002
Rose Valley will be hosting
FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT
Presented by Jim Emery, Scappoose A llstate Agency
Thursday, July 25th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
Advances in the study of medicine, nutrition and technology have enriched the quality
of our lives. People are healthier and live longer than ever before. However, with average
life expectancy increasing, the need for assisted living or nursing home care has become
7 pm
Talk is FREE and open to the public:
Catholics and non-Catholics alike warmly welcome
Followed by Q & A session:
Bring your Bibles, your questions, your pastors, and your friends!
Scout Cabin
Hawkins Park, 901 Park Drive, Vernonia OR
From out of town: from Hwy 26 go north on Hwy 47 for 15 miles, turn right at blinking
yellow light (near City Hall) onto Bridge St, then take 4th left onto Park Dr
just before you would cross bridge. Scout Cabin is log building 1 block down on left.
a reality for many.
Long-term care expenses are generally not covered or paid for by Medicare or the
major medical health insurance providers. Come and get the facts and some solutions
to this growing problem. Refreshments w ill be served. While you're here take some
time to tour our community. We'd lore to show you around!
Gerry is also debating Rob Zins, (ex-Catholic) Protestant minister
& author of two books critiquing Catholicism, on the topic:
“Does Scripture teach the Perpetual Virginity of Mary?”
Saturday, August 3, 2002 at 7 pm
Holiday Inn Portland Airport
8439 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland OR • (503) 256-5000
Exit 23B off 1-205, stay in right hand lane,
go west on Columbia Blvd for 3 blocks, Holiday Inn is on right
Debate is open to the public: Catholics & non-Catholics welcome
($5 donation for admission is requested to pay for the use of hotel;
in addition, two separate free-will offerings, one for each
debater, will be taken up to help defray his travel expenses)
For more details, please visit Gerry’s website at
www.gerrymatatics.org, e-mail us at gmatatics@aol.com,
or call us at (570) 969-1724