LETTER: Columnist’s claims inaccurate

o the editor:

I am writing in response to an article that appeared in the Statesman on Wednesday. The article made claims regarding the foundation of America that were inaccurate. An examination of the foundations of this nation reveals a strong Christian influence. For example, many of the charters that granted permission for the settlement of the colonies declared the spreading of Christianity to be one of the main purposes for their establishment. Later, many of the constitutions of the states contained provisions for the teaching of religion. The Declaration of Independence reflects the religious nature of our nation. The Continental Congress began its first session with prayer. After the ratification of the Constitution, the same Congress that passed the First Amendment requested President Washington to declare a day of prayer and thanksgiving. As for the Founding Fathers, most held strong religious convictions, and were very clear as to how crucial religion would be for this nation. Finally, to quote the Supreme Court in the 1892 case Holy Trinity Church v. US: “These, and many other utterances which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation.”

Colby Lyons