The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).





Of Bradley County Tn.


APRIL  2014

                            The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.

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Jefferson, Madison went to church
inside Capitol

Saw Constitution protecting church from state; not vice versa


Continued from page 1...

Gohmert helped bring some of America's forgotten sacred history to light when he asked the Congressional Research Service to do an objective, non-partisan review to learn if the things he had read and learned about prayer in the Capitol were, in its opinion, true.

The congressman told WND that as he read the report he learned how Jefferson, the man who originated the term separation of church and state had a much different idea in mind than the modern interpretation of that expression.

"[I]t was to be a one-way wall, where the state would not dictate to the church. But the church would certainly play a role in the state," said the former chief justice of the Texas 12th Court of Appeals.

"So, that's a little different idea than a lot of people have about separation of church and state, including some our esteemed Supreme Court (justices) who are not quite as familiar with our history as they probably should be," added Gohmert.

He pointed out, no one in the country was forced to come to church when religious services were held in a government building.

"As long as it was voluntary, they saw nothing coercive or inappropriate about having church here."

And, under the original understanding of the First Amendment, the government of the United States was not allowed to dictate what a church could or could not do.

Gohmert recalled how the nation's religious traditions trace back to its origin.

"When George Washington took the oath of office he put his hand on the Bible and finished the oath by adding the words 'So help me God,' as every president since him has done."

After that, he addressed Congress in New York, then headed to St. Paul's Chapel. The congressman noted that chapel is still standing and was the only site at ground zero that was not destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001.

"And they prayed for God to bless the United States of America. Prayers that have been answered for 225 years."

Gohmert said, in his estimation, God has blessed America more than any nation in the history of the world, even more than King Solomon's Israel.

If America has been so blessed, why does the congressman believe "Washington: A Man of Prayer, 2014? is so important?

"God has answered our prayers. This is no time to stop praying. This is a time to continue to beseech God to bless this nation. And if we seek Him, we will find Him. If we ask, it will be answered."

Cummins calls this year's celebration of "Washington: A Man of Prayer, 2014" on May 7, now in its third consecutive year, "a historic first" because, even though the event is exclusively for members of Congress, churches around the world will be able to watch on a global webcast and join in offering prayers for our nations and its leaders.

The event will be broadcast globally by the Daystar Television Network, with WorldNetDaily Films and CBN News providing the satellite feed from Statuary Hall.

Churches can register online to host the webcast during their Wednesday midweek services at "Washington: A Man of Prayer."

In addition to Bachmann and Huckabee, those attending "Washington: A Man of Prayer, 2014? will include Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Ron Johnson, R-Wisc.; and Reps. Louie Gohmert,R-Texas; Steve King, R-Iowa; Steve Stockman, R-Texas; Mike McIntyre, D-N.C.; Kristi Noem, R-S.D.; Corrine Brown, D-Fla.; Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan.; Jeff Miller, R-Fla.; Diane Black, R-Tenn.; Steve Womack, R-Ark.; and Chris Stewart, R-Utah; Jim Bridenstine R-Okla.; John Mica R-Fla.

As a bipartisan event, invitations have been sent to all 535 members of the 113th Congress.

Chaplains of the House and Senate, Fr. Patrick Conroy and the Rev. Barry Black will also participate. The United States Marine Band will also perform.

Christian leaders participating include the program director for the event, Dr. Jim Garlow, as well as Bishop Harry Jackson Jr., Dr. Robert Jeffress, Phyllis Schlafly, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Star Parker, Penny Nance, Dr. Peter Lillback, Bill Federer, Bishop Angel Nunez, Rosemary Schindler Garlow, Charmaine Yoest, Sergio De La Mora, Tony Perkins, Samuel Rodriguez and Rafael Cruz (father of Sen. Ted Cruz.)

Downloadable promotional materials are available "Washington: A Man of Prayer" website. Also, free school curriculum (K-12) on the historical events surrounding the inauguration of President George Washington has been provided by the Brook Hill School of Bullard, Texas.

WND will run a preview piece on "Washington: A Man of Prayer, 2014" every week during the 10 weeks leading up to the event on May 7.

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