Of all the prompts for this writing challenge, this one is my favorite—Beliefs. Beliefs, or lack thereof, are held by every human being on earth. In truth, even no belief is a belief. We get to choose what beliefs we will hold onto or let go.

Because our country is a melting pot of many peoples from all around the globe, beliefs vary greatly. Our Declaration of Independence recognizes this fact and the freedom to pursue them in the Preamble:

“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.”

Is this remarkable truth even taught to our children anymore? Where is an argument in this Preamble? Who among us do not hold this belief? If we are not “…endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,” then who or what or where do these rights come? How unsettling to think any American not holding this belief near and dear to themselves and family.

In the history of civilization this is a radical thought. A driving force in humanity is to gain power and control. Especially for those already in power. It is very seductive. It is for this reason our forefathers drafted The Declaration of Independence the way they did. They declared us a free people, with our God given rights. The role of government is to be a protector of these rights, not the grantor.

I was young and now I am old. I have witnessed our rights being slowly, methodically stripped away. This ought to cause much concern for every thinking American. A few questions for thought: Do you know what The Declaration of Independence states? The American Constitution? How about The Bill of Rights? May I suggest you take the time to re-visit them? And teach your children them as well?

“…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” —Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln

God bless America, land that I love…