When lecturing on “What is a Nation”, French scholar, Ernest Renan, suggested that building a nation required acceptance of the past and choosing new realities for a shared future. He explains:

A nation is therefore a large-scale solidarity, constituted by the feeling of the sacrifices that one has made in the past and of those that one is prepared to make in the future. It presupposes a past; it is summarized, however, in the present by a tangible fact, namely, consent, the clearly expressed desire to continue a common life.

And yet what we see today is a rejection of this “desire to continue a common life” in the rise of subnational, identity-based and even transnational conflicts. Many point to specific political, economic, or religious factors as the cause, but consistently deepening divisions suggest that at the heart of these conflicts is a failure to see a common destiny.

Painting by John Trumbull of the five men drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress.

When we see others as enemies and fail to recognize the human dignity and rights of others, we tread on dangerous ground. Throughout history and repeatedly today, we see time and again that humans do terrible, inhumane things to each other when we exclude some as being unworthy of basic moral considerations. There are simply too many instances of this in the news today. Fortunately, history has also shown us that it is possible to bridge perceived divisions in order to create new possibilities for peace and shared prosperity.

The founding of the United States was based on the belief of a moral imperative to live and organize according to the “laws of nature and of nature’s God”. This recognition of spiritual principles became then the basis for essential spiritual values and subsequently, rights, to all people. Although the time of the founding of the United States permitted slavery within its territories, the founding documents of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, taken together, laid the ideological basis to eventually extend these rights to every person.

Indonesians celebrating their country’s independence (photo credit: British Pathe)

Similarly, we find that at a crossroad in its history, modern Indonesia made the conscious choice to establish a modern state based upon its spiritual values. Although Indonesia was and still is predominantly a Muslim country, it chose to enshrine universal principles at the core of its democracy out of respect for the diverse spiritual practices of its population. It is out of this freedom to practice in accordance with one’s conscience that has given rise to two of the largest Muslim civil society organizations in the world, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.

Despite the geographic, cultural, religious, linguistic and many other differences in between, these two countries at opposite ends of the globe pursued very similar courses in placing universal principles and shared values as the basis of more inclusive societies. While each has struggled to maintain a hold of these principles and values, the vision and aspirations contained in the founding ideals continue to guide each nation towards greater equality, unity and prosperity for all.

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20-Sep-2014 |

“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are a gift of God?” –Thomas Jefferson

Dr. Trulear speaking at the Global Peace Leadership Conference USA.

The Global Peace Leadership Conference 2014 in the United States opened with notable faith leadership from different faith traditions gathering at the nation’s capital to dig into the roots of the nation’s founding principles.

Global Peace Foundation – USA President Alan Inman opened the conference urging leaders to focus on the spiritual heritage of America, rooted in a tradition that values human dignity, rights, freedoms, and responsibilities. “America is ripe for a spiritual great awakening,” he said, “that draws on that heritage to build a just, ethical, yet pluralistic society.”

At welcoming dinner, keynote speaker Dr. Harold Dean Trulear, Associate Professor, Applied Theologand Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Howard University School of Divinity, gave a rising call for national renewal. He drew on the biblical example of Ezekiel, a prophet called by God to prophesy to dry bones to restore them to life and vigor.

The Global Peace Foundation wrote, “Ezekiel was being held in captivity in Babylon with leading classes of Israelites, and the prophesy “related to restoration, of something lost, and the result of two things” Dr. Trulear said. “First they have forgotten where they came from, they forgotten their religious roots they forgot that they were a nation formed and chosen uniquely the bring morality to the rest of the world. The second reason is that they have become a nation of blood, who loved killing, who loved violence.”

Global Peace leadership Conference USA delegates go on a special tour of Capitol Hill highlighting the spiritual legacy of the United States of America.

Dr. Trulear suggested that the work of the Global Peace Foundation and of the conference was also the work of renewal and restoration of the faith and values that gave birth to the nation. The conference entitled, “America at a Crossroads: Leading Our Nation to Live Up to Its Founding Ideals,” seeks to address widening social divisions and weakening role of faith and religion in the public square. It will be held from September 19-21 in Arlington, Virginia.

Visit www.globalepeace.org for the original article.

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In 1776, America conducted a revolutionary experiment. The Founding Fathers of America set forth an ambitious vision. When monarchies were the choice form of governance, they set out to prove that a government could be run “of the people, for the people and by the people”.

However, the experiment took more than just inspired individuals proposing a vision; it took men and women of character whose careful conduct brought the vision to life. This is the importance of precedents.

Dr. Moon recently commented, “If there were no George Washingtons, Thomas Jeffersons, and Madisons, if there were no Abraham Lincolns, the American experiment would have failed many times over.”

These presidents defined and upheld the moral and ethical principles necessary for America’s growth. In his farewell address, George Washington, first President of the United States acknowledged the critical importance of morality for the longevity of the nation, “Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.”

Fondly referred to as the father of his nation, Washington set the course of the nation in many ways.

Monarchy or Republic

It could be said that Washington’s firm commitment to the republican experiment secured America’s future as a republic and not a monarchy.

In the early discussions of American independence there was a significant opinion that American should become a monarchy. Lewis Nicola, one of Washington’s officers, wrote to Washington in 1782, suggesting that Washington become King of the United States. Washington firmly reprimanded Nicola. “Banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself, or anyone else, a sentiment of the like nature.”

From the beginning Washington shied away from position, only stepping up to fulfill his duty as a public servant. He accepted the Presidency with humble deference to the “public summons” of the people and the will of the “Almighty being”.

He declined titles such as “Your Excellency” and “Sir” and took the simple title “Mr. President”.  In his inaugural address, Washington even refused a salary, which he later accepted after being advised that a salary would dispel the image that only wealthy, self-supporting individuals could run for office.

Washington agreed to a second term only after he was convinced that he could help quell the partisan rift that threatened the fledgling nation. After serving a second time, he gracefully retired, even amidst calls for a third term.

His selfless service to the public can still inform public servants today.

Liberty of Conscience

On several occasions, Washington expressed that, “…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” For Washington, religion was the foundation for virtue, a critical ingredient to making the republic function. He also believed that most religions shared fundamental principles. To this end, he protected liberty of conscience and freedom of religious practice.

Shortly after his first election, George Washington wrote a letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island that has become a timeless affirmation of the United States’ commitment to religious freedom. “The Government of the United States, “ he wrote, “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens…” In his farewell address he urged Americans to recognize and be proud their common national identity, describing religious, cultural and political disparities as “slight shades of difference”.

Religious freedom is significant achievement of the United States of America.

Conclusion

Today, Washington ranks among the three most respected presidents. (89% view him favorably according to public policy polls.)

His precedents gave substance to the principles and values that formed the vision of the American experiment–that “all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights” and a government is called to protect and secure these rights.

Washington was keenly aware of the impact of his actions on future Americans. He said, “It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.” (Pennsylvania in 1789)

Any worthwhile vision needs men and women of character who set precedents that bring it to life.

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This year celebrates the 236th Independence Day of the United States.

At the recent media conference in South America, the story of the the United States’ founding was shared. This story captures the essence of what makes America great. More than its political or economic system, what makes this nation great is its founding principles.

The Founding Fathers laid the keystone for this nation when they risked their lives and signed the Declaration of Independence. It articulated the spiritual principles and values that became the foundation of our modern notion of human rights and freedoms.

“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.”

The United States set a bold precedent. They affirmed God as the source of all fundamental human rights that no human institutions could curtail, and acknowledged God as the center of the nation.  At a time when state-sponsored religions in Europe limited the freedom of worship, they opened the way for a religiously, racially, culturally diverse nation under God.

This is the legacy of the United States and the heart of the American Dream.

It is time to inherit the vision of the Founding Fathers and uplift America as one nation under God.

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