Britannia Radio

Saturday, July 04, 2009

 

On the Meaning of Our Declaration of Independence

Must reading--an inspiring and informative essay--from the Heritage Foundation:

The 4th of July is no ordinary holiday. As we travel and spend time with our families this weekend, we must take a few moments to reflect on the meaning of our Declaration of Independence, and its ongoing significance in light of our nation’s current struggles.

The resolution to declare independence from Great Britain was actually passed by the Second Continental Congress on July 2, and John Adams believed that the 2nd would be the date on which Americans would celebrate their independence for years to come.
So, why do we commemorate July 4? We celebrate the 4th because it was on this day that our founders set forth a statement of ideas which justified the separation “to a candid world” and established the principles that would serve as the foundation for the new nation.

These principles are grounded in a higher law which is derived from both reason and revelation – “the laws of nature and nature’s God.” It begins with the principle that “all men are created equal,” meaning that they are equally “endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights” which are grounded in natural law, not bestowed on us by government. Among these rights is the right to liberty, and to self-government; therefore the Declaration also states that governments “derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

These principles contributed mightily to America’s growth from a modest, undeveloped country into the freest and most prosperous nation in the history of the world....

Continue here.