The artist’s website here. Go here to see the meanings in the painting.
The First Amendment promises, essentially, freedom of religion; not guaranteed freedom from religion.
BZ
[Click on photo to enlarge for detail.]
John McNaughton: One Nation Under God
isn’t that an amazing video..? thanks for posting it. What did Reagan say? “we’re either one nation under God or we’re a nation gone under?” Something like that.
Amen to that.
And the clergy at the time of the Founding and Framing were all for it!
It kept government from dictating to the church what it should preach about… I am far less worried about religious influence on the government than government influence on the practice of religion.
Z: Reagan said: “”If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
AJ: Reagan also said “I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.”
BZ
Isn’t this McNaughton’s work something? Would that all of America understood the significance of this work of art!
In this day in age, if one is a believer in God, he is shunned. Its ok to be against the Christian God, but if we offend the Muslim one its blasphemy all of a sudden. There is something wrong with that. The priests, imams, preachers, and other religious leaders walked hand in hand down the street when the Constitution was signed. It gave them the ability to practice their religion without the government stepping in. It was a wonderful thing. Now, we can’t even pray in public without being spat upon. Whereas people of faiths other than Christianity are ok to do whatever they want. And notice how atheists are only offended by the christian God. Strange.isn’t it?
Awesome video BZ. The separation of church and state is always wrongly interpreted. It’s so convenient to do so.
Some times I’m on the side of no prayer in the schools because today, I don’t know who a teacher might be praying to!
Just so Chris is aware, the “Christian” god is the same guy as the “Muslim” god. Just thought you might find that interesting. Muslims see the bible as a three part series. Just like Christians value the new testament the most, Muslims value the third part the most. There are more similarities than differences. Peace.
“What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wish to subvert the public liberty may have found an established clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not.” — James Madison, “A Memorial and Remonstrance”, 1785
I will try not to be critical or negative. But I feel that Mr. McNaughton is a deeply misguided man. Which religion a person prays to should not be of any more importance that which baseball team he cheers for. Christians are not persecuted in this country. You are not locked up, or beaten. Your homes are not taken away. Your armies are killing people everyday around the world and you think you are the ones being persecuted? I think you need to widen your view of the world.
Love thy neighbor and leave politics out of religion.
Oh I get it you screen the comments and only post the positive ones. That’s mighty honest of you isn’t it.
Not all people who disagree with the very very strong religious/political views are “sublimate trolls”. Although I’m not even sure what that term means. We are just honest people that disagree with your views. We live in a democracy, that means the majority rules. The majority of people don’t want religion involved in politics. It’s simply an unpopular view, you are not being unfairly persecuted.