THE LAW OF NATURE AND OF NATURE’S GOD

Written by Attorney Peter Decato

For most of us, the Declaration of Independence seemingly begins with the phrase: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men all created equal.” But the Declaration of
Independence does not begin that way. Instead, it begins as follows:

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Our nation’s forefathers believed that one of the powers of the earth was the power of individual liberty and equality. They also believed that these powers are derived by nature itself and by the God that created the universe. The power of individual liberty and equality is amongst those rights our forefathers believed were self evident. Anything to the contrary was against the law of nature itself.

As we celebrate this Independence Day – look around at our world. The world does not unanimously support individual liberty and equality. Just look at Syria and Iraq and their surrounding countries. Look at the growing ISIS movement. In many countries, there is no freedom to worship a chosen God. There is no separate and equal station. Clearly, our way of life is not the only way of life and our way of life is under attack by others.

America is different from most other countries. The essential differences between our country and most other countries is the Bill of Rights, along with the concepts of due process and
equal protection. These are our Great Rights – rights not generally shared around the world.

On this July 4th, more than on any previous July 4th – try to understand how magnificent a declaration it was when our forefathers said that government is instituted amongst men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Each one us in this country counts or should count. We are free – free to worship the God we wish; free to assemble as we desire; and free to live as law-abiding citizens. We are independent and on July 4th we should all celebrate that fact because independence is our Great right and not everyone is able to enjoy what we take for granted.