Letter: No reference to God in original Declaration

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

Recent letters regarding the Declaration of Independence and its relation to our government today miss some important points.

The Declaration was an act of rebellion, not the basis for a system of government. That came several years later with the U.S. Constitution. The phrase, "by their Creator," was not written into the original Declaration. Jefferson had written, "All men are endowed with certain unalienable rights." A few delegates insisted that a reference to God be included or they wouldn't sign. The majority of delegates refused to allow this. Since the Declaration had to be unanimous, a compromise was reached and "by their Creator" inserted.

Jefferson was so enraged he had 1,500 copies of the Declaration printed without the offending phrase. He sent these to editors, political leaders and friends so they would not think he had gone soft on religion.

The Constitution contains one reference to religion in its main body -- Article VI states: "... but no religious test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

Only one reference appears in the amendments: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ..." It comes first in the Bill of Rights, implying that it might be the most important. The Oath of Office in the Constitution does not have "So help me God" at the end of it. That is a phrase that presidents have added on their own.

These are hardly ringing endorsements of Christianity nor an implication that our laws "come from God."

MICHAEL PLAISTED