Why give thanks? Thankfulness is a prominent Bible theme. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam promote gratitude. “Gratitude, it seems, is a universal phenomenon, an impulse hardwired in human nature.” – Carol Zaleski, professor of world religions, Smith College. We clearly see that God created humans to be grateful. Disbelief in God does not change His creation. The alternative is random selection, survival of the fittest. Do we see the evolution of gratitude in the animal kingdom? Is gratitude a survival trait?
Why national recognition of giving thanks? Because American founders were Christian. Thanksgiving is about thanking God for providing the resources for success and prosperity. One must examine source documents to validate a theory. Original writings, rather than interpretations, reveal thoughts and intents of actors in history. One such character was William Bradford. A website honoring the life of William Bradford begins with “The LORD is the help of my life.” Another website with primary sources for the events of autumn 1621 in Plymouth: “And although it be not always so plentifull, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plentie.”
Why would some, especially Christians (e.g., KC and RK), believe American founders were not Christian? It’s all about power. If American founders were Christian, they would apply Biblical principles in the founding of a nation. Christian patriots would continue the tradition with Biblical principles for issues facing the nation, states, counties, cities, and local communities. Biblical principles for government would apply equally to civil and church government thus challenging Episcopal and Presbyterian forms of church government. Jesus was a perceived threat to civil and church government. They killed Him.
American founders had human weaknesses like the rest of us. David committed some of the most heinous crimes but is known as a “man after God’s own heart.” (1 Sam 13:14, Acts 13:22) So America’s founding was a mix of Biblical and secular values. On Two Wings by Michael Novak, 2002, provides an excellent balance of faith and common sense at the American founding. Church government is no different. Even though Scripture implores we do not follow the traditions of men (Mark 7:8, Col 2:8), church leaders pick and choose what they want from First Century Christianity and add their own traditions. The concept of a recreating a New Testament church today is a myth. Not going to happen. Simply go thru the book of Acts and note what is done today and what is not. The Ekklesia in turn chooses what they like by where they attend since negotiation is not an option with church leaders.
Wallbuilders has a lengthy list of quotes from American founders indicating a strong Christian influence on their decisions. Even early American leaders who did not claim to be Christian followed Biblical principles because the Bible was an integral part of 17th to 18th century European culture and continued into 19th and part of 20th century American culture. Very different from Islamic influence on Sharia law. Restoring America’s Biblical Foundations by Pilgrim Institute says “The history of the Bible in the hands of the individual is the history of Christian civil government.” and “It also can be said that the history of church government is the history of civil government.” A king at the head of Church leads to a monarchy. Elders at the head of Church leads to an oligarchy. Individual freedom is a uniquely Christian idea. Freedom in nations today stemmed from the spread of Christianity.
The Daily Devotion today refers to Col 3:12-17. We see forgiveness in the same section of Scripture as being thankful. What is forgiveness? GotQuestions.org describes forgiveness as “a ‘release’ or a ‘dismissal’ of something.” It implies not keeping a record of wrongs, but when one fails and is “forgiven,” those in power rarely allow a second chance. People have to move on to get a new start. Unfortunately, organized religion is all the same. It’s all about clergy. Disagree and you’re out. During medieval times, clergy tortured and killed those who disagreed.
Torture was used almost exclusively for the crime of treason. In civil society this meant in practice that it was generally restricted to monarchs and the highest nobles. In the Church, matters were different. The Church taught that any deviation from orthodoxy amounted to lèse majesté against God, and therefore treason against the King of Kings. This meant that in contrast to civil society, treason and therefore torture were common in the Church. It was not only the Inquisition that practiced torture but it is the Inquisition that has lodged in the popular mind as masters of the trade.
As many historians have noted, the most vicious procedures in Medieval times were inflicted on devout Christians by even more devout Christians. Dominicans gained a reputation as the most fearsomely innovative torturers.
Torture had long been practised by bishops, but it was formally authorised for the Medieval Inquisition in 1252. It should have ended in 1816 when a papal bull forbade its use, but secret torture continued in the Papal States until they were seized by French Forces in the 1870s.
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