Brave Roots
America's historic bravery, pursuit of religious liberty, advocacy of human rights, and defense of freedom spring from her Judeo-Christian roots. Early pilgrims faced dangers that made men "quake and tremble." But the difficulties "through the help of God, by fortitude and patience, might either be borne or overcome" according to Governor Bradford.

Over 150 years later, in the same spirit of Christian bravery, Benjamin Franklin beseeched the Second Continental Congress to open...in prayer: "If a sparrow cannot fall...without his [God's] notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?... I therefore... move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning...."

Later President George Washington said: "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion...."