By Congressman Markwayne Mullin
It is undeniable that religion provided the moral basis for our country to be founded on. When in Washington, I am often reminded of the religious symbolism built within the walls of various government buildings and monuments across the city.
There are several examples of religion inside the U.S. Capitol. On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, there are 23 carved portraits of historic figures who handed down laws to their people. These portraits line the walls of the House floor and depict the lawgivers from the side, except for one. Moses, who faces the Speaker’s dais, is the only figure depicted looking forward and casting his watchful eye toward the legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives. Our country’s laws were built on the Ten Commandments that Moses received from God. Displayed prominently across from Moses is the phrase: ‘In God We Trust.’
Inside the Capitol Rotunda, there is a painting of the ‘Embarkation of the Pilgrims.’ It shows pilgrims, led by pastor John Robinson, praying for protection as they make their voyage for the new world. Just off of the Rotunda, the Congressional prayer chapel displays a stained-glass window with Psalm 16:1: “Preserve me O God for in thee do I put my trust.”
Our Founding Fathers were so passionate about Americans having the freedom of religion that it was written into the First Amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Since 1954, our pledge of allegiance has proclaimed that we are united as “one nation, under God.” Our country’s official motto is ‘In God We Trust.’ It is obvious that religion is incredibly important to our Founding Fathers, the formation of our government, and the path of our nation.
The Founders incorporated religion into all of their efforts to create a constitutional republic that united its citizens as one people that answered to God. This Easter, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is particularly important to remember that religion is the moral fabric that holds our nation together.
