by Chuck Baldwin
Accordingly, our U. S. Constitution is dated: (1) from the birth of Christ, and (2) from the birth of our independence (Article. VII.). Secondly, the Constitution requires the President and Congress to respect "the Christian Sabbath" (Sunday) as a day "excepted" from governmental business (Article. I. Section. 7.). Thirdly, the First Amendment prohibits the U.S. Congress from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In other words, the federal government has no right to interfere with the free expression of religion (by individuals or States) in any shape, manner, or form. Fourthly, Article. VI. of the Constitution prohibits any religious test as a qualification for public office.
The intent of the Constitution's framers was, therefore, in the matter of religion (especially the Christian religion, whose adherents birthed America), that the federal government would maintain a healthy respect for it, and keep its hands off. For the last several years, however, instead of respecting religion--especially the Christian religion--the leaders of our federal government have increasingly demonstrated animosity, and even hostility, toward both the Christian faith and Christian people.
While claiming to be "tolerant" and "pluralistic," our federal government, in practice, shows little tolerance or pluralism regarding Christianity. Time and again, Christian practices and people are singled out for humiliation, persecution, or retribution. This situation follows an eerily similar pattern to that of the old Holy Roman Empire.