The single most important word in the Declaration of Independence may well be "Creator."  Without the Creator, we would not be "endowed with certain inalienable rights."  Our rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" would be alienable by whatever temporary earthly authority (if any) permitted us to exercise them. The principles in the Declaration of Independence were handed down to us by a long and meticulous history, a convergence of Greek reasoning and Hebrew revelation, by both aspiration and inspiration.  In the cosmic scheme of things, it is useful to appreciate how unlikely it is that we should have the republic we have.  Let's start with our planet. Planet Earth is not merely suited for life; it is prime real estate for the development of a civilization that can reach for the stars while at the same time asking why we reach for them. Were we the product of chance alone, then far more likely it is that...(Read Full Post)