FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Dr. John West on the Founders and Equality
(QUICK READ) — Dr. John West’s “Endowed by Our Creator” aptly captures the essence of how and why virtually all of the Founders who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and supported ratification of the Constitution in 1787 were advocates of the equality of all men and women:
“If all human beings ultimately derive from the same Creator, then our essential capacities as humans are neither accidents of history, nor the gift of politicians or any other human beings. They come from God Himself. That means our rights to exercise these capacities come from God and no human being can rightly deprive another of them. They are our right by nature, that is, natural rights.” — Dr. John West, Endowed by Our Creator: The Bible, Science and the Battle for America’s Soul,’ page 48.
Many of the quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” weekly series of posts are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.
Quotations are also compiled from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to all congressional aides, be they working on Capitol Hill or in a state or district office back home.
Mark was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).