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The two most significant texts in American history are the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution of the United States. More than two hundred years ago, our founding fathers
aimed to create a nation founded on the rule of law and individual liberty. The Declaration of
Independence outlined the ideals and tenets of a just and equitable government and formally
severed all political ties between the American colonies and Great Britain. After that, the
Constitution would specify the structure of what we know as the government. The founding
papers that gave rise to the United States of America are not only well known to fellow
Americans, but do they appreciate how difficult it was to win over the early settlers who wanted
things regarding one’s religious freedom or even the option of reasonable taxes.
Understanding their timing and how it connects to the events in the lives of the colonists
and British loyalists is essential to comprehending both the Declaration of Independence and the
US Constitution. The Revolutionary War continued despite their July 4, 1776, declaration of
independence. Above all, the colonists desired a government that upheld their inalienable rights.
wherein the agreement of the governed was the only way for the government to remain in power.
The Declaration of Independence's promises were fulfilled by the Founding Fathers when they
drafted the Constitution. It is evident from the writings in both documents that the authors were
monotheists. who sincerely thought that the body chosen to rule the people protected one's rights,
which inevitably resulted from the creator. This theme is crucial to comprehending how the
contributors constructed both papers. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Thomas Jefferson). Although the
Constitution and The Declaration of Independence does not directly quote the Bible, it is clear
that it had a large impact on their writings.
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Since the Declaration of Independence places a strong emphasis on God as the source of
individual rights, it was necessary to note that the newly established government is unable to
infringe upon those rights. By making sure that a religious test is not necessary to be elected to
office, they also needed to make sure that no one was shunned or prevented from serving in the
government due to religious reasons. This established the much-needed precedent because many
settlers had left their home countries because of religious persecution. Those seeking relief from
past religiously motivated exclusion, torture, and frequently fatalities embraced the Amendment's
first clause, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."
(Amendment 1, U.S. Constitution). As stated in the Declaration of Independence, this does
provide a clear distinction between the state and religion, but it did not eliminate the idea that
God is the Creator or his part in the inalienable rights of the people. This amendment just said
that the government would not enact laws that discriminate against one religion while promoting
another, not that religion should be outlawed. Thomas Jefferson echoed this in a letter to
Danbury Baptist years later. “Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in
behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those
sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in
opposition to his social duties” (Library of Congress).
The British Crown is accused of numerous alleged acts of oppression throughout the
Declaration of Independence. A protective precaution regarding the oppressive deeds stated in
the Declaration of Independence is evident when comparing it to the Constitution. “Dr. Martin
also suggests that the U.S. Constitution of 1787 was motivated out of similar sentiments as the
Declaration of Independence, and hence incorporated biblical Christianity, with its holdover of a
covenantal approach to life, and Rationalism inspired by John Locke’s natural rights thesis.
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Especially relevant here is Locke’s “right of revolution” as the means of preserving the
Declaration of Independence’s assertion of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
(Martin, pg. 98). The reflections provide a clear picture of the period and the effects of the
administration on the populace. The necessity and desire for the Amendments to address the
numerous complaints outlined on July 4, 1776, are evident.
The similarities between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the
United States of America are abundant. These two have one thing in common that the
government will defend the freedom that the Creator has given to everyone in which the
community will hold accountable.
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References
Jefferson’s letter to the danbury baptists the final letter, as sent. Jefferson’s Letter to the
Danbury Baptists (June 1998) - Library of Congress Information Bulletin. (n.d.).
https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html
Martin, G. R. (2006). Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500. Wesleyan
Publishing House. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/978-1-931283-69-4
National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). Declaration of independence: A
transcription. National Archives and Records Administration.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
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