[AT] OT Laus Deo
Jim Becker
mr.jebecker at gmail.com
Thu Feb 28 16:20:42 PST 2019
I’ve heard from any number of people that cast aspersions on Snopes. Mostly it seems to come from people that have had their own hoaxes debunked by Snopes, thus the attempts to undermine the site. I have multiple times challenged people to point out something Snopes said that is incorrect. Most of the challenged haven’t even tried. Those that have have yet to succeed. This is not to say that Snopes never gets something wrong. I’ve seen a couple of corrections that they have posted when they find an error.
As to the difference between between “Freedom of Religion” and “Freedom from Religion”, one should keep in mind that the phrase “Freedom of Religion” is just a commonly stated short form for that the first amendment says and that specific phrase is not anywhere in the amendment. The actual text concerning religion is:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
The portion in front of the comma is Freedom From Religion. The portion after the comma is Freedom Of Religion.
Jim Becker
From: deanvp at att.net
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 1:05 PM
To: 'Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group'
Subject: Re: [AT] OT Laus Deo
I appreciate this discussion and an attempt at trying to make things as accurate as possible. However, using Snopes as proof of anything is dangerous since they are very suspect of being biased in some of their publications. Using alternatives such as www.truthorfiction.com might provide less biased information. In todays world it is hard to find out what the real truth really is. I do want to comment that many of this country’s founding principles are based on Christian Principles. I sometimes think we confuse the difference between “ Freedom of Religion” vs “Freedom from Religion”.
Dean VP
Apache junction, AZ
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of Spencer Yost
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 9:13 AM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] OT Laus Deo
No problem Cecil, as this is generally interesting and reasonably accurate although I would be remiss if I did not point out that there are some significant factual problems with this. Some are small (like the layout of the cross) while the most serious is probably Washington’s prayer. It was never prayer, is misquoted, and was actually a circular or letter or some such.
I mention this because I’ve seen it a number of times over the last 20 years on the Internet every once in a while. Historically it has been passed around to strengthen the idea that we are a Christian political system rather than “religion free” political system.
I am sure Snopes.com can fill you all in.
Spencer Yost
On Feb 28, 2019, at 10:44 AM, Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net> wrote:
Forgive me Spencer if this is out of line. I was so impressed with this and thinking that my friends on the list would appreciate it also. If I have offended anyone you have a delete button. I don't believe this is political.
Cecil
-----
LAUS DEO
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No
one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the
monument are totally unaware they are even there and
for that matter, probably couldn't care less.
Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share
this with everyone you know. These words have been there
for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high,
perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father
of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise
the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of
America.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant,unnoticed words..
Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very
meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is
the most powerful city in the most successful nation
in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed
of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly
mean? Very simply, they say,
"Praise be to God."
Though construction of this giant obelisk
began in 1848, when James Polk was President
of the United States , it was not until 1888
that the monument was inaugurated and opened
to the public. It took twenty-five years to
finally cap the memorial with a tribute to
the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise
be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite
and marble structure, visitors may take in
the beautiful panoramic view of the city with
its division into four major segments. From
that vantage point, one can also easily see
the original plan of the designer, Pierre
Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed
upon the landscape, with the White House
to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is
to the south, the Capitol to the east and
the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of
church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and
state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So
read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry
a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.
Praise be to God! Within the monument itself
are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs
the steps and pauses at the landings the
memorial stones share a message...
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered
by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a
memorial presented by some Chinese
Christians; on the 24th a presentation made
by Sunday School children from New York
and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7,
Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6.
Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was
laid on July 4th, 1848
deposited within it were many items including
the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be
to God! Such was the discipline,
the moral direction, and the spiritual mood
given by the founder and first President of
our unique Democratic Republic "One Nation, Under God."
I am awed by Washington 's prayer for
America. Have you ever read it?
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer
that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy
holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the
hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit
of subordination and obedience to government;
and entertain a brotherly affection and love
for one another and for their fellow citizens
of the United States at large. And finally
that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased
to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy,
and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility,
and pacific temper of mind which
were the characteristics of the Divine Author
of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation
of whose example in these things we can never hope to
be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech
Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Laus Deo!
When one stops to observe the inscriptions
found in public places all over our nation's
capitol, he or she will easily find the signature
of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed
everywhere you look. You may forget the
width and height of "Laus Deo ", its location,
or the architects but no one who reads this
will be able to forget its meaning, or these
words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor
in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
Hope you will send on so that others can
receive a lesson in history that they probably
never learned in school!
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