A Constitution for We the People
Crossroads: Celebrating Our U.S. Constitution
Host Rita Peters with Special Guests,
This Weekend on Valley Radio, Sept 16-17,
or Online HERE Anytime
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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. Sept. 17, 1787)
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Introduction:
This weekend’s program highlights an interview with Michael Farris, President of Alliance Defending Freedom, and Mark Meckler, Co-Founders of the Convention of States. This weekend kicks off Constitution Week, and both guests are featured to help kick this off because they are well-known to our Crossroads listeners and also because of their extensive experience in constitutional and government positions. Here is a brief review of some of the questions host Rita Peters asks them, and their responses:
Why is our Constitution so special and worthy of celebration?
One thing that makes it unique and special is its very longevity. The average life-span of most constitutions in other constitutions is about 17 years, whereas our Constitution is still standing after 250 years. That in itself is worthy of celebration.
In brief however, the Constitution worthy of celebration because it provides the basic foundation for how our country is to be governed under a number of fundamental principles. To begin, it provides that all laws would be made by Congress.
However, within that framework, it includes a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, designed to protect our liberty from government overreach. Working together, they are therefore entrusted with sufficient powers to govern but not enough power to rule over the people as dictators.
They are also limited by a specific enumeration of powers for each of these specific branches of government under a system of checks and balances to check the power of each branch. Moreover, it also provides in Article Five a means by which the states and the people, not just the Congress, also have power to amend the Constitution to help check the power of government.
Was it divinely inspired? Is it perfect? Why or why not?
There is no question that our Founding Fathers and the drafters of the Constitution had a world view that was shaped by their Judeo Christian beliefs and by Biblical teachings on how to live and how to govern.
In fact, a massive groundbreaking study by two political science professors discovered recently that of thousands of political documents written during that founding era between 1760 and 1805, some 34% of all sources cited or quoted most often came from the Bible, more than four times more than from any other source or individual.
For your Consideration and Thought:
— What do you think the Framers would say about what we’ve done with it — whether we’ve followed it well or not? What would surprise them about how it’s been used?
— How well do you think modern Americans understand the Constitution, and what aspects of it are most misunderstood?
— What do you hope people will do to observe Constitution week?
Crossroads: Where Faith and Culture Meet:
To learn more, please tune in this weekend to one of the following Valley radio stations: WBTX (1470 AM and 102.1 FM) today (Saturday) at 4:00 p.m. and again on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., followed by WSVA (550 AM and 92.1 FM) at 8:30, ESPN (1360 AM and 106.9 FM) at 9:00, and WNLR (1150) at 11:30.
If you miss it, you can also listen online by clicking on the menu of Crossroads’ programs located on our web site’s home page at www.valleyfamilyforum.org.
Crossroads is almost entirely listener supported, and we want to thank our generous sponsors at Blue Ridge Chimney Services; Blessings Christian Bookstore; Sonshine Ministries with Christian Radio; Wishing Well Florists and Travel Services, and our good friends at New Beginnings Church and Garber’s Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg.
We are so grateful for your prayers, your encouragement, and also for your own financial support. If you would like to help, please send your tax-deductible donation to Crossroads at PO Box 881, Harrisonburg, 22803.
Finally, if you would like to share a personal note with our Crossroads Team, you can send it to the same address noted above, or by email to family@valleyfamilyforum.org. We always enjoy hearing from you.
From Dean for Rita, Robby, and the Crossroads Team.
Working and Walking Together, We Can Make a Difference,
for God and Country!