Patriotic Church Services
When Alexis de Tocqueville visited the United States in 1831 he became so impressed with what he saw that he went home and wrote one of the most definitive studies on the American culture and Constitutional system that had been published up to that time. His book was called Democracy in America. Concerning religion in America, de Tocqueville said:
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"On my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things."
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He described the situation as follows:
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"Religion in America takes no direct part in the government of society, but it must be regarded as the first of their political institutions.... I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion -- for who can search the human heart? -- but I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society."
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Americans of the Twentieth Century often fail to realize the supreme importance which the Founding Fathers originally attached to the role of religion in the structure of the unique civilization which they hoped would emerge as the first free people in modern times. Many Americans also fail to realize that the Founders felt the role of religion would be as important in our own day as it was in theirs.
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Constitution Week USA invites all faith groups to participate in Patriotic Church Services by giving a patriotic sermon of your choice and design to your congregation on September 21st (or 14th). You may choose any material you would like. For you convenience Constitution Week USA has provide the following material for your use.
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Please Note: The following material was published by the National Center for Constitution Studies over the years. Constitution Week USA subscribes to the principles taught in these documents and believes them to include the fundamental principles of liberty as discovered and implemented by the Founding Fathers. Constitution Week USA is in no way requiring the use of these materials and respectfully accepts your right to disagree with part or all of the content. If disagreement exists, please select patriotic materials that will fit your beliefs more closely.
