A recent letter asked for someone to enumerate the Christian principles on which our nation was founded, doubting that they existed.

Acts 10:34 states, "God is no respecter of persons", which is affirmed in the Declaration of Independence, "all men are created equal." (The Supreme Court has repeatedly cited the Declaration of Independence as part of the fundamental law of our country.)

We are endowed by our Creator with the right to life, conferred by Exodus 20:13. The commandment not to kidnap confers a right to Liberty. The command not to steal confers a right to property.

Matthew 5:33 upholds the sacredness of an oath (contract), as does the Constitution. Matthew 18:16 requires two or more witnesses to establish a fact, as does the Constitution.

The restriction of Deuteronomy 24:16 was adopted into the Constitution -the rights of a child aren't affected by a parent's crime. No work is to be done on the Sabbath (Sunday in our culture)-Exodus 20:10; this day is also respected in the Constitution.

Our founders recognized the sinfulness of man (Romans 3:23), thus we have a separation of powers which came from Isaiah 33:22-judicial, legislative and executive.

There are many more, but as recently as Oct. 4, 1982, Congress passed 97-280 which begins, "Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution."

Steve Greenhaw

Lynden