Liberty Thought of the Week -- Our Rights Come from God, Not Government

by Paul Hamby

Our rights come from God, not government

America’s founding fathers did not grant you your rights.  The founders made it very clear that they believed your rights come from God, and their purpose was to protect your God given rights.  

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

This bold statement was at odds with nearly all types of government at that time because they declared that rights are natural law rather than granted by human authority.

The founders recognized that your rights would be at risk, so they drafted a short list of protected rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified December 15, 1791.

James Madison initially opposed having a bill of rights.  He believed we have natural God given rights and they are too numerous to list.  However, opponents of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution objected that it contained no bill of rights. So, in order to secure ratification, Madison agreed to support adding a bill of rights, and then served as its author. He wrote the 9th Amendment, which states that just because a right hasn’t been listed in the Bill of Rights doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. This protects all of your natural rights.

1st Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Freedom of speech and freedom of press are vital to preserve the people’s liberty)

2nd Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (Free citizens must be armed to protect themselves against thugs, thieves and governments or they will lose their property and their rights)

3rd Amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

4th Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5th Amendment: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

6th Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

7th Amendment: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

8th Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9th Amendment (to address James Madison’s concerns): The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10th Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. (to protect states rights and limit the size and growth of the federal government).

Our rights come from God, not government.  Government can not grant you rights or liberty, but government, aka humans, can take away your rights, property and liberty.