“Equip” is the “E” in R.E.C.I.P.E.
“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…”
– Declaration of Independence
Unlike any other nation in world, The United States was built upon the realization that our rights come to us directly from God. The purpose of government is also clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence, “to secure these rights…”. So, according to the first official document we produced as an independent nation, the purpose of government is to secure rights given directly to the people by God. The Declaration goes on to let us know that governments derive their just powers “from the consent of the governed”. Since people received rights directly from God, we the people delegate specific, limited authority to governments at local, state, and federal levels, as appropriate. But this alignment is important to remember – We give jurisdiction and power to government – not the other way around.
“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of [a] society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education…”
– Thomas Jefferson
Equip
This is the goal of Patriot’s Hope. We hope to inform the discretion of Americans, or equip them, by education in our form of government. As we regain and share this knowledge, we will have Americans everywhere who are better prepared to exercise this control with a wholesome discretion. Then we will all be better prepared to hold our elected officials accountable to the Constitution they are sworn to support.
John Jay, one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, and the First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, said,
“Every member of the State ought diligently to read and to study the constitution of his country, and teach the rising generation to be free. By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated, and be the better prepared to defend and assert them.”
-John Jay
It is our goal at Patriot’s Hope to be a teacher of these great truths. We hope Americans will know their rights, and will be able to perceive when those rights are violated, and be prepared to defend and assert them.
Our elected Leadership is failing We the People. Thomas Jefferson had declared in writing want our Leadership has failed to implement, and in some circles encouraged that failure.
“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of [a] society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education…”
– Thomas Jefferson
Amen Glenn! We the people have to hold our elected officials accountable to the oath they took when they took office. If anyone doesn’t support the Constitution, they should be removed from office. Thank you for the comment!
For some time I have said that the greatest threat to American democracy and this Republic is that people do not think through anything. In the past year, I have revised this statement to “People don’t think. Period!” Beyond that, we suffer short-term memory of current events. Retention matches the news cycle. Once reporting on an event ends, so does the recollection of it. Even sadder, we have not been nearly as involved in what occurs in our schools’ curricula so that we may have preempted the travesties occurring in classrooms across our Nation.
It appears that far too many people entrust their acquisition of information from agenda-driven pundits, intentionally misleading politicians and the aforementioned educational system. Would the people have been taught national history properly, as well as, our founding documents, they would be able to identify errors. As John Jay posits, once we study our rights, we are in a better position to identify violations of our rights, which then allows us to address, defend and assert our rights.
It is said, “It’s never too late to learn.” Praying this is true, Patriot Hope’s commitment to educating the masses about the Constitution, our Founding Fathers, our Nation’s birth, etc., is truly invaluable. That you for earning the honor others died for. May I, too, earn it.
[Sorry for my cynical tone. I will be 74 this September 27. I’ve seen too much to be calm or oblivious these days. LOL]
I meant, “THANK you.”
Thank you for your kind words, and feel free to dabble in a cynical tone as necessary! You won’t hurt my feelings! Yes, as Americans, we have got to learn our founding documents and remember the heights from which we have fallen. Then we can repent and ask God to put us back upon the foundation of His Word and the truths of our founding documents that were based upon His Word in the first place. Thank you for all you are doing with your participation in the class, the homework, and these articles. You are a blessing and encouragement to RaShell and me. Thank you!
How true!!!
So grateful to you both at Patriots hope and Patriot Academy for making the education accessible!
Thanks
Thank you! RaShell and I love what we are doing and we too are grateful for Patriot Academy and all they are doing as well! Thank you for your comment!
I appreciate John Jays words. Speaking in truth is powerful. Yes an educated and informed individual can standup to speak “rights” as defined. They can hold their officials accountable. They speak truth. However, our culture has redefined “truth” and “rights”. Both made into a weapon to silence or sue. With our true history removed from our schools our culture has eroded and foundation lost. Losing who “We the People” are not being able to speak our “true rights” we are in the midst of ugly voices and “rights” defined by the yelling mob and /or media speaking their slanted versions to fit their agenda and beliefs.
A blessing that we need to claim is that speaking TRUTH and sharing our history is welcomed by more people that we realize. Their ignorance if from not knowing. Never being taught.
I have found that out that just in the past week to people I have spoken to. People I both know and just have met. Our God will lead us. We just need to be hands and feet. We have a rich history. Life John Jay 1799 as a governor signed in a law act Abolition of Slavery. Ignorance is our enemy. Sharing this class is an eye opener.
Yes, maam, we have gotten that a lot during the last several years we have hosted courses. It usually goes something like, “I am XX years old and have never learned this!” I thank the Lord we get to be part of the work of bringing our nation’s past back to life for our students. Thank you for your comment!
I have been so excited to learn more by revisiting this Biblical Citizenship class. Thank you so much for all the resources you suggest that help me understand my God given rights and how they are supported by our Constitution.
There is far too much information to acquire by just going through the class once. This time, again I’m trying to drink from a fire hose, but I’m able to pull out points of interest and research that point, while making notes for further study. I’m interested in the Federalist Papers and purchased the “student Federalist Papers” some time ago through Patriot Academy, but I would like to find the other papers that had to be part of that series.
Yes Maam! It is a pleasure having you in class. I agree there is a ton of information in the Patriot Academy materials and we are happy to be part of distributing it out to as many as we can reach. The Federalist Papers have lots of great info – but they can be a tough read… just warning! Thank you for your comment!
Thnak you for the time and effort to by you and other’s to keep Patriot’s Hope alive and for your unwavering support to educate us about the US Constitution.
Yes sir! We very much enjoy what we are doing. We are grateful to organizations like Patriot Academy and Wallbuilders who produce great classes we can share, and we are very grateful for people like yourself who join our classes! Thank you for your kind words and your comment!