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"In one key respect, the way the story of the United States has
been told for the past one hundred years is wrong," writes
Michael Novak. "To read most philosophers and historians of the
American polity today is to learn that America is an historical
embodiment of secular philosophy, the Enlightenment." Nothing
could be further from the truth, says Novak, who sets out to
demonstrate just how important religious faith was to the
founders. He makes a spirited case, noting, for example, that
the very first act of the First Continental Congress, in 1774,
was to make a public prayer. Of the 3,154 "citations in the
writings of the founders," 34 percent are to the Bible. He
provides dozens of similar examples. On Two Wings does not
proceed as a traditional narrative; Novak favors extensive block
quotations from his sources and conveys a whole chapter in
question-and-answer format. In addition, a major part of the
book is an appendix that provides brief sketches of the
lesser-known founders. What the book lacks in narrative elegance
it makes up for in forceful argument-- it pulls off the trick of
being both brief and thorough. Readers who admire
Founding
Brothers by Joseph Ellis will appreciate this book, especially
if they are religiously inclined. --John Miller-- Review is
Copyright © Amazon.com |
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The Bill of Rights
Constitutional Amendments 1-10
A Transcription from
the National Archives
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Amendment I
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. |
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Amendment II
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. |
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Amendment III
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. |
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Amendment IV
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. |
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Amendment V
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. |
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Amendment VI
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
defence. |
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Amendment VII
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 reexamined in any Court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law. |
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Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishments inflicted. |
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Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed
to deny or disparage others retained by the people. |
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Amendment X
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. |
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Note: The capitalization and punctuation
in this version is from the enrolled original of the Joint
Resolution of Congress proposing the
Bill of Rights, which is on permanent display in the Rotunda of
the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. |
| See a
full transcript of the
Constitution at the National Archives. Teachers: Visit
Bill of Rights
Institute for information on lesson plans. |
History > Bill of
Rights > Declaration of Independence
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