Civics_Ch3_webquest3

=**Founding Fathers and Religion**= Read through the following information:


 * The Declaration of Independence acknowledges that we have a Creator. The Creator gives us rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). The job of government is to protect the rights that our Creator gives us. In return, we are to honor/worship our Creator. In other words, religion is a duty of the citizens since God gives us life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
 * Benjamin Franklin believed charity was important. He created the first hospital in the colonies (in Philadelphia) and used the story of the Good Samaritan as the symbol.
 * The first public schools in America taught the story of the Good Samaritan as well as the Golden Rule ("do unto others as you would have others do unto you").
 * Prayer was important to the Founding Fathers: Samuel Adams suggested prayer at the First Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin suggested prayer at the Constitutional Convention. George Washington prayed at Valley Forge when everything appeared to be hopeless for the Continental Army.
 * The original proposal for the Great Seal had Moses as the symbol. The Founding Fathers saw Moses as an example since he led the Hebrews out of slavery against the might Pharoah. Moses believed he was guided by God, which was the same belief of the Founding Fathers.

Why do you think it's important to know the history of in terms of religion being a basis of America's foundation especially at a time when Progressives aim to eliminate religious aspects from society?

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