{"id":1517,"date":"2026-06-28T08:26:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T13:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/?p=1517"},"modified":"2026-06-29T15:53:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T20:53:45","slug":"americas-250th-anniversary-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/americas-250th-anniversary-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"What America’s 250th Anniversary Can Teach Us About Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, imagine being free from the hate, cynicism, and anger<\/a> choking our nation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you open-minded to a fresh revelation from the Declaration of Independence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Millions of people are reflecting on what has made this nation unique. Political opinions differ. Cultural views differ. Yet one phrase from the Declaration of Independence continues to unite Americans across generations: the pursuit of happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n

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America’s 250th anniversary and the Declaration of Independence. Andrea Izzotti\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

America’s 250th Anniversary and the Declaration of Independence<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWhen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God<\/strong> entitle them<\/em>, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator<\/strong> with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. \u2014 That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, \u2014 That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge<\/strong> of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. \u2014 And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence<\/strong>, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Four Often-Overlooked References<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, Americans have debated the role of faith in public life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, one fact remains beyond dispute. The Declaration of Independence itself contains multiple references to God and a Creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That raises an interesting question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we celebrate the Declaration as one of our nation’s founding documents, should we spend more time reflecting on its ideas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature\u2019s God<\/strong>:  <\/strong>The authors recognized God as the source of existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creator<\/strong>:  <\/strong>They affirmed that God is the one who endows us with rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supreme Judge<\/strong>:  They recognized their accountability to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divine Providence<\/strong>:  They realized that God is our protector and defender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why America Feels So Divided<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m concerned that government institutions are increasingly excluding God from public life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n