LAUS DEO

[salvo]

Hi Folks,

What does all this *Separation of Church and State* really mean?

LAUS DEO: A little history lesson you may enjoy.

After reading this you should go to: http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/monument.asp for additional information

I thought that you and others may like to see this.!  One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of your time.  I was not aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo.  No one can see these words.  In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know.  But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched   top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo!  Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words.  Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?  Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.  It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo ...........Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.  The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask?  Why a cross?  What about separation of church and state?  Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.  So, read on.  How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.
 
Praise be to God!  Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings.  As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.  On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.  Praise be to God!  Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy .."One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America.  Have you never read it?  Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation..  Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."  (Psalm 127: 1)

[Ben Framed]

Awesome Post Sal........ Awesome......

[Kathyp]

The idea of separation between church and state was another made up thing by the SCOTUS.  They claim to have based it on a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Church, but if you read both sides of the exchange, there is no way you get an intention to separate church and state as a part of the Constitution.  You can't go through any of the founders documents, speeches, or behaviors and get that either.  Not even from the most agnostic of them. 

https://chaplain.house.gov/chaplaincy/history.html

https://www.nps.gov/articles/constitutionalconvention-june28.htm
Ben Franklin

https://christianheritagefellowship.com/thomas-jefferson-calls-virginia-to-prayer-and-thanksgiving/
Jefferson/Thanksgiving

[Michael Bush]

At the time it was built the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world.  It was the tallest structure in the world between 1884 and 1889, after which it was overtaken by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is still the tallest freestanding masonry building in the world.  It is still the tallest monumental column in the world if all are measured above their pedestrian entrances.  The aluminum apex, composed of a metal that at the time was the rarest metal in the world, was cast by William Frishmuth of Philadelphia. At the time of casting, it was the largest piece of aluminum in the world. Before the installation, it was put on public display at Tiffany's in New York City and stepped over by visitors who could say they had "stepped over the top of the Washington Monument". It was 8.9 inches (23 cm) tall before 3⁄8 inch (1 cm) was vaporized from its tip by lightning strikes during 1885?1934, when it was protected from further damage by tall lightning rods surrounding it. Its base is 5.6 inches (14 cm) square. The angle between opposite sides at its tip is 34?48'. It weighed 100 ounces (2.83 kg) before lightning strikes removed a small amount of aluminum from its tip and sides.[30] Spectral analysis in 1934 showed that it was composed of 97.87% aluminum with the rest impurities.