Letter to the editor: Always check your sources
The writer of the letter “Has America turned its back on God?” (Feb. 27, TribLIVE) cites James Madison as the source of a quote on the Ten Commandments. Some of those commandments prohibit bearing false witness, spreading untruths. The quote cited has never been proven to originate in Madison, though it could be something Madison’s cousin, Bishop James Madison, might have said.
Gary Demar addressed the misuse of the quote in a Jan. 20, 2009, The American Vision article titled “They Never Said It:” “My investigation only led me as far back as the January 1958 issue of Progressive Calvinism where the source of the quotation is a 1958 calendar” with no other source given. Even the United States Library of Congress has been called in on the search with no success in finding the much cited but elusive quotation. Even so, the Madison … quotations continue to circulate as authentic history.”
Demar goes on to lament fabrications that distort the history of America, Christianity and the Bible. We probably disagree on who is distorting and what is distorted.
Years ago, I set out on quest to discover what was in the Bible, what was in world religions, what the founders wrote about religion, America, the world. That quest should take readers to what are called primary source documents, the actual writings of religions and our founders. Do not settle for remote, unconnected sources claiming to bear witness to Truths. That would be truly turning your back on God and the reason God gave you.
Bruce Braden
Carmel, Ind.
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