A Lasting Declaration

Declarations can be good or bad. Declarations are not usually the result of an emotional whim. They tend to come after a lot of time, thought, and consideration is given to the matter which they are designed to address.

Although it's not always the case declarations typically follow a prolonged experience or situation that prompts it. For example, a university administration may declare zero tolerance on campus for drugs/alcohol after several incidents involving them. A young man may declare his love for a young woman after an extended period of dating and drawing closer. A house may be declared "termite free" after a lot of hard work by a pest control company. A particular room in a house could be declared to be "pet free" after an incident involving Fido in that particular room. Declarations have consequences.

Our Declaration of Independence was not a knee-jerk reaction to British tyranny. Remember, we had been at war with Great Britain for over a year before the Declaration was written and approved by the Continental Congress. The Declaration put in writing the cogent desires of the 13 colonies to be free from British rule. Specific complaints or grievances against the British Monarchy (specifically King George III) were addressed in the Declaration. The principles stated in the Declaration are viewed as a filter through which the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted. It wasn't written until 11 years after the Declaration. President Lincoln was an ardent supporter of reading the U.S. Constitution in light of the truths/principles stated in the Declaration most notably:

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.

What declarations are you making these days? At work? To your family and friends? Before God? Be careful about making hasty declarations.

The signers of The Declaration of Independence thought through their declaration and most of them paid a very high price for taking such a noble stand. Declarations are risky. Aren't you glad those 56 men had the courage to take such a stand for freedom! Happy Birthday America!