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Declaration Of Independence Essay

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Recommended: Significance of the declaration of independence

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history, capturing the ideals upon which our nation was founded, and the spirit of what it means to be American. Just as the motto “Christian Leadership to Change the World” is the heartbeat of Regent University, the Declaration of Independence is the heartbeat driving the United States of America. The three unalienable rights that the document espouses (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) are at the core of what our great nation stands for. One right Thomas Jefferson inscribed into the text in June of 1776 stands above the rest - the right to life.

What is life? According to Webster, life is “an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, and reaction to stimuli”. Certainly true from a biological standpoint, life is far more than a scientific observation. Life is a gift from God. All human life is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and being “in Him” is what gives us our being (Acts 17:28). This is what provides our existence with meaning and purpose. Life intrinsically links us with the God of the universe. “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). …show more content…

Life’s connection to God is what informs our decisions and gives us knowledge of what is good. Our value for life is what provides the basis of all other rights. Without a value for life, there would be no foundation for liberty; there would be no foundation for the pursuit of happiness. The right to life is the key that makes the others

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The Declaration of Independence states that all men “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. What is strange is that this was the first time in history anyone had bothered to write these words down. What is not strange is that among those rights granted to us, the founders placed life first. The founders were deeply religious men, and they understood the sanctity of human life. The founders also understood the delicate balance that would be required between compelling government interests and individual liberties.

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Since the beginning of our country we have had the ideals that life was important which still stands today. Rights such as freedom of speech allow us to speak freely within our homes, communities and country. Today the right of life is just as important as it was nearly 300 years ago.

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Jefferson included these rights stating that everyone has the right to happiness, more specifically able to pursuit it. Every man is able to make of themselves what they desire and is able to make it a reality here in America. A nation where many cultures and individuals come together in hope of achieving The American Dream of having an opportunity regardless of social class, without having a government to hold them back. Having included these rights in the declaration, many other countries were influenced by having this way of life. These three terms; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness, express what it means to be an American.

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