Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues in recognition of American Religious History Week, and I thank Mr. Forbes for his leadership.
There are traces of America's religious history all across this Nation. And many things, even here in this very room, convince me that our Nation's founders were intent on preserving the religious beliefs and principles upon which our liberty depends.
Our Nation's motto, ``In God we trust,'' is enshrined above the Speaker's chair right there. And across the Chamber is a facade of Moses, who gazes on the floor where we today write the law of the land. On the ceiling of this Chamber our State seals are found, one of which bears the motto, ``Nil Sine Numine,'' which was adopted by my great State of Colorado. In English, these words mean ``nothing without providence,'' a phrase that undoubtedly influenced the men and women who labored for the great Republic we have always known.
We are greatly indebted to the faith of our founders, which changed history. In fact, in 1818, our second President of the United States, John Adams, shared this reflection on the true American Revolution. He said, ``The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people, a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations. This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.''
Our Judeo-Christian heritage, unlike any other in the history of the world, is deeply rooted in the philosophy that all men were created in the image of God, endowed with natural rights given to them by God alone rather than by the State. This is the bedrock principle which we must never forget. If we forget this, like many societies before us, we run the dangerous risk of falling prey to tyranny.
Early Americans understood that if government was the source of freedom rather than God, then government can also take it way. We declare ourselves ``one Nation under God'' with Him as the source of our rights and our freedom, and that makes us unique among the nations. It is for these reasons we recognize our religious heritage because it is still relevant to our freedom today.
