Harry Truman quote about USA Bill of Rights - first ten amendments to constitution - which was ratified on 15th December 1791, being inspired by Bible
I am sharing this Harry Truman quote about USA Bill of Rights as I think it may be historical truth. USA constitution and law as applied today in early 21st century, provides for freedom of religion which has allowed many religions other than Christianity like my Hindu religion, to be freely practiced in USA, and that I, a resident & citizen of India with many friends and some relatives living in the USA, think is a wonderful thing. Of course, all such religions that are practised in USA should, in their practices, adhere to the laws of USA, promote harmony with (law-abiding people of) other religions, and contribute to stability and progress of the people of the USA as a whole.
But I think it is important to know the historical background of the USA Bill of Rights to have a better understanding of how that great milestone in rights of citizens in a democracy came about. Note that the Indian constitution drafted in late 1940s and becoming effective on 26th Jan. 1950, slightly over a century and a half after USA Bill of Rights was ratified, was influenced by USA Bill of Rights (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_India#Influence_of_other_constitutions).
“The fundamental basis of this Nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our #BillofRights comes from the teachings that we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.” – Harry S. Truman #BillofRightsDay #HarryTruman From https://twitter.com/museumofBible/status/1206345447901675520, 4.19 AM on 16th Dec. 2019 (IST) which would be 15th Dec. 2019, Eastern Standard Time, USA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights#Application_and_text has the text of these ten amendments. I have given the text of the first two amendments below as they are famous and are quoted regularly by USA political leaders even today (from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript).
First Amendment (Amendment I)
Second Amendment (Amendment II)
It must be noted that there is no reference to a particular religion in the above mentioned first amendment to USA Constitution.
I should also say that I don't think the Indian constitution was influenced by the above mentioned second amendment to USA constitution. In marked contrast, I think the Indian constitution seems to be heavily influenced by the first amendment to USA Constitution (part of Bill of Rights).
But I think it is important to know the historical background of the USA Bill of Rights to have a better understanding of how that great milestone in rights of citizens in a democracy came about. Note that the Indian constitution drafted in late 1940s and becoming effective on 26th Jan. 1950, slightly over a century and a half after USA Bill of Rights was ratified, was influenced by USA Bill of Rights (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_India#Influence_of_other_constitutions).
“The fundamental basis of this Nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our #BillofRights comes from the teachings that we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.” – Harry S. Truman #BillofRightsDay #HarryTruman From https://twitter.com/museumofBible/status/1206345447901675520, 4.19 AM on 16th Dec. 2019 (IST) which would be 15th Dec. 2019, Eastern Standard Time, USA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights#Application_and_text has the text of these ten amendments. I have given the text of the first two amendments below as they are famous and are quoted regularly by USA political leaders even today (from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript).
First Amendment (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.
Second Amendment (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.----
It must be noted that there is no reference to a particular religion in the above mentioned first amendment to USA Constitution.
I should also say that I don't think the Indian constitution was influenced by the above mentioned second amendment to USA constitution. In marked contrast, I think the Indian constitution seems to be heavily influenced by the first amendment to USA Constitution (part of Bill of Rights).
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