PLACERVILLE, CALIF. (InEDC) Jenavieve Hatch, The Sacramento Bee, August 2, 2023, 6:00 AM
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ decision to designate July American Christian Heritage Month, which (sic) sparked opposition from some residents…
The proclamation, brought by District 1 Supervisor and Board Chairman John Hidahl, passed by a 4-1 vote on July 18.
It “is important to help inform and educate the public on our beginning and evolution of the United States of America,” Hidahl said prior to the vote.
“Current education materials may or may not include the relativity (sic) of this history, but we should never forget our history.”
He clarified that the purpose of the proclamation is not to exclude other religions, and that the symbolic measure won’t require any action by other county institutions.
“This great nation was founded not by religionists,” he said, “but by Christians. Not on religions but on a foundation of Christian principles and values. It’s clearly stating: don’t forget our history.”
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin was the proclamation’s sole dissenter.
“Using the Constitution Party’s proclamation for El Dorado County shows that El Dorado County supports the platform and principles of the Constitution Party…
“We’re in a spiritual war,” said supporter Lars Knutsen, of Pollock Pines, after reading from the Bible.
“The Bible, the Word of God will offend … I thank you for bringing this up. Keep bringing it up.”
… “American Christian Heritage Month” does not force a religion on people,” DiBella said, much like other commemorative months (like Pride Month or Jewish-American Heritage Month) “force Americans to adhere to the respective communities’ beliefs, doctrines, or customs.”
The Liberty Bell was named for the Biblical inscription from Leviticus 25:10, which passage of scripture is emblazoned around it: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.”
In 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin declared, “God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?… Without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel”
The constitutions of each of the 50 states, either in the preamble or body, explicitly recognize or express gratitude to God .
