Independence Day as Religious Holiday

From George W. Bush’s “Independence Day 2007” greeting:

Two hundred thirty-one years ago, 56 brave men signed their names to a bold creed of freedom that set the course of our Nation and changed the history of the world. On this anniversary, we remember the great courage and conviction of our Founders, and we celebrate the enduring principles of our Declaration of Independence. . .

We believe that freedom is a blessing from the Almighty and the birthright of every man and woman. . . .  On Independence Day, we express our gratitude to the generations of courageous Americans who have defended us and those who continue to serve in our country’s hour of need, and we celebrate the liberty that makes America a light to the nations.

The references to a “bold creed of freedom” that is a “blessing from the Almighty” and a “light to the nations” reflect the country’s religious roots that David Gelernter describes in his new book: “Americanism:  The Fourth Great Western Religion.”  He argues that “America” is a religious idea, and he traces the development of the American religion “from its roots in the Puritan Zionism of seventeenth-century New England to the idealistic fighting faith it has become, a militant creed dedicated to spreading freedom around the world.”  He says the central figures in this process were Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson.

To whom we should add John F. Kennedy (and Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush).  Here is the final paragraph of Kennedy’s final speech (to have been delivered at a luncheon on November 22, 1963), which reminds us that this day imposes not only a duty of remembrance and gratitude but an obligation relating to the present and the future:

"We in this country, in this generation, are — by destiny rather than choice — the watchmen on the walls of world freedom.  We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of ‘peace on earth, good will toward men.’  That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength.  For as was written long ago:  ‘except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’”

The reference in the first sentence to “watchmen on the walls of world freedom” was to Isaiah 62:6-7:  “I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day nor night; you who make mention of the Lord, take no rest.”  The reference in the last sentence was to Psalm 127.

Today is essentially a religious holiday, or a holiday about religious freedom.  Dennis Prager says we need a Fourth of July Seder to celebrate it.  Our country’s historian laureate, David McCullough, would undoubtedly see the connection.