It's the 4th of July, the day we American's declared our independence. I've been thinking about what to write today since the concept of freedom is something I hold very dear, and I'm more than a little disturbed that we seem to have less of it every day. I started the day digging around Wikipedia. It's worth reading the article on The American Revolution to see what that was all about. Especially noteworthy, I think anyway, is the paragraph on the "Republican ideology" which begins:

"Intellectually, the Americans were primarily influenced by the "country" party in British politics, which roundly denounced the corruption surrounding the "court" party in London. This approach produced a political ideology called "republicanism" that was widespread in America by 1775. Corruption was associated with luxury and, especially, inherited aristocracy, which Americans increasingly condemned."

Emphasis is mine, of course. "Inherited aristocracy" is an interesting choice of words, especially since another entry quotes The Economist describing "the Bush family as the most successful political dynasty in U.S. history." For extra credit go look up the definition of "dynasty" and compare that against "inherited aristocracy."

The next slap of reality comes from reading the articles on Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and George Washington. You've heard of these guys right? Founding fathers and all that. I bring them up specifically because I've lost count how many times in the last 6 years I've been told that America is a Christian country, that it was founded on Christianity, and basically that Jesus loves us more than them. Well, these three folks, who had an obvious hand in building this country, were Deists. Another snip:

"Historical and modern deism is defined by the view that reason and logic, rather than revelation or tradition, should be the basis of belief in God. Deists reject both organized and revealed religion and maintain that reason is the essential element in all knowledge."

Washington was also a supporter of religious pluralism, that is basically the feeling that there should, and can be, peaceful relations between people of different religions. The interesting tidbit to pull from this is that until very recently, most forms of organized Christianity were not big fans of this concept, and considered themselves the one true faith. In fact, often, they were rather unaccepting of other religions. If you are doing the math here, that's not jiving with any concept that this country was founded on Christianity. That's not even taking into account some of these historical quotes. And if you keep reading, you'll be checking your calendar to see if it's 1984 when you get to the part about Islam. Check this:

"Islam, like most other monotheistic faiths, views itself as the only true path for following the will of God and going to Paradise (also, Heaven). Nonetheless, Muslims consider the monotheistic faiths that precededed it, Judaism and Christianity, as valid for their followers. (Qur'an, Sura 5, verse 44 and verses 46-7, verse 69)"

Again, emphasis is mine. How's that match up against the current view that keeps being repeated. And I'll take that one step further - check out these quotes by President G. W. Bush about Islam. Now, if someone can tell me why half the country thinks we're at war with Muslims because they want to kill us for being "infidels" I'll give you a shiny quarter.

But let's jump back again to around 1776, just before the Revolution. Read up on the Sons of Liberty. This was somewhat of a secret society including the likes of Paul Revere, John Adams, Samuel Adams that organized and help spread the word not everyone was happy with British rule, and that perhaps independence was an option. These guys weren't just passing out flyers or singing songs, they were taking a stand.

"The Sons are widely known for their violent and destructive acts. Actions included burning effigies of local tax officials in the town squares, burning the crown officials' property while the owner was held to watch. Uncontrolled violence and vandalism was more common among the newest and youngest members, who could be difficult for leaders to control.

"British authorities and their supporters considered the Sons of Liberty as seditious rebels, and referred to them as "Sons of Violence" and "Sons of Iniquity." Latter-day historians have called them terrorist, a word that was coined during the French Revolution and gained new meanings in recent decades. Patriot mobs attacked gentlemen's homes, Customs officers, East India Company tea, and, as the war approached, vocal supporters of the Crown."

Once again it's pointed out that the difference between the words terrorist and freedom fighter really depends on which side of the argument you are on.

This post is rather long already, so I'm going to end it with links to The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. If you haven't read those recently, they are worth spending a few moments going over again. Pay close attention to the Preamble to the Bill of Rights, it's something that is barely mentioned and many people don't even know exists, but I think it lays down some important groundwork about what those amendments were trying to accomplish. The order of the amendments is no accident either. Most importantly, given today's date, is a link to the Declaration of Independence. Since I can't expect everyone to click through and read every link I've posted here, I'm going to wrap this one up with a snip from that last link:

"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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."