We Hold These Truths

The founder of The Christophers, Father James Keller, was an expert on the Declaration of Independence.  He passionately believed in its words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Father Keller also liked to point out all the references to God in the Declaration.  The Founding Father’s referred to “Nature’s God,” “the Supreme Judge of the world,” and “the protection of divine Providence.”

In his 1948 book entitled “You Can Change the World,” Father Keller wrote, “The Founding Fathers, you see, were most explicit.  They were God-fearing men.  For them the idea of God had to be integrated with everything if men and women were not to forget that their rights, liberties, and life itself come from their Creator.  They must have feared that, in the years ahead, those who would destroy America might subtly deny this Truth.  So, leaving nothing to chance, they were most positive.

Father Keller continued, “The Founding Fathers knew that the truths contained in the Declaration were based on an old doctrine…For thousands of years, despite persecution, defection, and obstacles of every sort, the Jews had kept alive the sublime concept that man has an eternal destiny, that he derives rights from his Creator, and that because of this he has solemn obligations to his fellowmen, in each of whom he should see a child of God.”

Remember that God is the source of all human rights − and that with those rights come responsibilities.

Happy Independence Day!