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The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are among the fundamental documents in the history of the United States that set the cornerstone of American values and beliefs. In turn, the Letter to the Danbury Baptists serves as a corroboration for these values. The given documents are significant to today’s understanding of the nation’s background and its current path. In this sense, while the works can be different in some aspects, they tend to have more similarities. Among the similar themes of the works is the emphasis on human liberties and religion.
First, when it comes to the initial theme of freedom, all documents specifically accentuate that all humans, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or other features, are entitled to fundamental rights. For example, the Declaration of Independence claims that people have “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (National Archives, n.d.-a). Likewise, the U.S. Constitution articles provide certain principles and laws “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” (National Archives, n.d.-b). In this situation, the interests of the nation and citizens are prioritized and guide the laws. Lastly, Jefferson, in his letter, made a statement that there must be progress “to restore to man all his natural rights” (Library of Congress, n.d.). As a result, the three of these documents put a value on each individual and their autonomy, indicating that everybody must receive full liberty and rights.
However, when evaluating such prominent papers, one can see that religion is emphasized. Still, there is a strong separation between religion and state. When pondering about such a matter, it is important to see that the first document to argue this position is the Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776 (National Archives, n.d.-a). The essential element is separated from the power of England and the King, which is mainly influenced by the Church. According to the Declaration, “all men are created equal,” and they are “endowed by their Creator” with their liberties (National Archives, n.d.-a). Constitution, which was introduced in 1787, followed by stating in its First Amendment that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (Congress, n.d.). The datee of documents are important since the first document officially separated the government from the Church, paving the way for the Constitution and its uninfluenced writing.
By separating God and the state, the signers of both documents wished the citizens to have full autonomy and implied that religion is each individual’s matter and, therefore, should not be controlled or imposed. Jefferson, in his letter, made good arguments regarding this situation, saying that “religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God” and “the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions” (Library of Congress, n.d.). For this purpose, God and the state should be kept separate.
Hence, the works’ emphasis on human liberty and religion is one of the shared topics. First, all documents explicitly emphasize that everyone has the right to fundamental freedoms, regardless of their race, gender, or other characteristics when it comes to the first topic of freedom. Each individual and their autonomy are valued in all three of these texts, which suggests that everyone should have unrestricted freedom and rights. However, it is clear that religion is stressed while examining such well-known publications. Still, there is a clear division between the state and God since religion is a matter of each individual.
References
Congress. (n.d.). Constitution of the United States: First Amendment. Web.
Library of Congress. (n.d.). Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists. Web.
National Archives. (n.d.-a). Declaration of Independence: A transcription. Web.
National Archives. (n.d.-b). The Constitution of the United States: A transcription. Web.
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