2008 California Election Forum

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

—Patrick Henry, Founding Father of the United States of America

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.”

—Ephesians 1:16-20

"It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe.

"And no subject shall be hurt, molested or restrained in his person, liberty or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience..."

—The Massachusetts Bill of Rights

"Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on.

"Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet.

"Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other.

"Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.

"This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

—1 Thessalonians 5:15–18

"We are confirmed in the opinion, that the present age would be deficient in their duty to God, their prosperity and themselves, if they do not establish an American republic.

This is the only form of government we wish to see established; for we can never be willingly subject to any other King than He who, being possessed of infinite wisdom, goodness and rectitude, is alone fit to possess unlimited power."

—Instructions of Malden, Massachusetts for a Declaration of Independence

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

—1 Timothy 4:16

"There is a word for people who put children in a car to be blown up. The word is evil...It's important that we say this out loud and that we render this moral judgment. Because if we fail to understand that our enemy is evil, we have failed to understand what we are fighting."

—Newt Gingrich

"I call Heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."

—Deuteronomy 30:19

"The dustbin of history is littered with the remains of those countries that relied on diplomacy to secure their freedom.

"We must never forget...in the final analysis...that it is our military, industrial and economic strength that offers the best guarantee of peace for America in times of danger."

—Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

"It costs God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things: but to convert rebellious wills costs him crucifixion...You must make your choice.

"Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman and something worse...

"You can shut him up for fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God."

—C. S. Lewis