"And 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 of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever" (Piereson, 2003, p.5). In Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia he boldly condemns slavery; yet, he also suggests that our recognition of God is directly related our country's liberties. At this time, men believed granting others the gift of Liberty was within their power. However, Jefferson states that rather it is a gift of God just as the Declaration of Independence …show more content…
In March 2010 Michael Newdow sued in federal district court in California because he believed public school teachers leading students in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the Establishment Clause. Newdow argued that even if students chose not to participate in the recitation, making them listen to the words “under God” interfered with his right to direct the religious education of his daughter (court case). Congress responded with the two primary reasons “one nation under God” is included in the Pledge. The first being “to underscore the political philosophy of the Founding Fathers that God granted certain inalienable rights to the people which the government cannot take away; and secondly to add the note of importance which a Pledge to our Nation ought to have and which ceremonial references to God invoke”(Direct quote court case). The court ultimately came to the decision that teacher led recitation of the pledge is in fact constitutional. The Pledge unites citizens in our Founding Fathers’ beliefs that our Creator has given us inalienable rights with liberty and justice for