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Freedom of faith is freedom of the soul.
Today, on our third day of remembering what the Founding Fathers fought for, we turn to a right that runs deeper than politics — the right to worship freely.

When John Witherspoon put his name on the Declaration of Independence, he wasn’t just making a political stand — he was staking his life on the idea that every person should be free to live and worship according to the convictions of their heart.

A Pastor in the Revolution

John Witherspoon isn’t as well-known as Jefferson or Franklin, but in 1776 he was one of the most influential men in the colonies. A Scottish-born Presbyterian minister, Witherspoon came to America to serve as president of what would become Princeton University. There, he trained a generation of leaders — including James Madison — to stand firm in both faith and freedom.

When war clouds gathered, Witherspoon didn’t stay silent in the pulpit. He preached fiery sermons calling tyranny what it was: an affront to the God-given dignity of every person. He believed that true faith demanded moral courage — not blind loyalty to a crown that denied basic human rights.

So, at age 53, Witherspoon stepped into history. He was the only active clergyman to sign the Declaration, declaring with his life that government should never dictate the beliefs of its people.

Freedom of Conscience

The right to worship freely was radical in 1776. For centuries, kings and queens dictated the state religion — you could be fined, imprisoned, or executed for worshiping the “wrong” way.

The signers knew that when the government controls your faith, it controls your soul. So they fought for a new idea: that each person must answer to their own conscience and Creator — not a monarch.

It’s why the First Amendment begins: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

It was Witherspoon’s conviction in action — and it still stands today.

Still Worth Defending

Nearly 250 years later, religious freedom still sets America apart. But it only stays strong if we remember that it applies to everyone — not just those who think, worship, or vote like we do.

This freedom protects the pastor, the priest, the rabbi, the imam, the skeptic, and the seeker. It reminds us that the government should never dictate what we believe, how we pray, or what we teach our children about right and wrong.

Faith Requires Courage

Witherspoon’s life reminds us that faith and freedom often stand shoulder to shoulder. He believed that liberty without virtue collapses — and that virtue without liberty is powerless.

When we stand up for the freedom of conscience — even for people whose beliefs differ from our own — we honor the legacy of Witherspoon and the vision of the Founders.

Keep the Flame Alive

This Independence Day, think of that Scottish minister who crossed an ocean to teach truth — and ended up helping build a new nation on the bedrock of religious freedom.

Ask yourself: Am I living my faith boldly, yet defending the right of others to do the same?
Am I willing to protect the freedom of worship — not just for myself but for my neighbors, coworkers, and strangers whose beliefs may look nothing like mine?

This freedom isn’t a gift from government. It’s a right from our Creator — just as Witherspoon preached it would be.

A Call for Today

If we ever lose the freedom to worship freely, we lose a piece of our soul as a nation. But if we protect it — and live it out with integrity and courage — it can heal divisions, build bridges, and remind us that there is room for all under the banner of liberty.

May John Witherspoon’s legacy remind us today: No king, court, or politician can decide your beliefs for you. That choice — and that right — is yours alone.

Tomorrow, on Day 4, we’ll stand alongside John Adams — the fiery voice for self-government — and remember that true freedom means power belongs to we the people, not the few who wish to rule us.

To our freedom,

Matt

P.S. Remember Psalm 146: 3-4