March ROH General Meeting with Rev. Todd Linn
March 4, 2008

We were encouraged by Rev. Todd Linn who spoke at the March General Meeting and mentioned that "the facts are on our side" regarding the Christian heritage of the United States. He mentioned a passage in Larry Burkett's "What Ever Happened to the American Dream" book regarding William Bradford. Bradford posted a notice based from the Bible that "If any man would not work, he shall not eat." He mentioned that we have to be able to truly know the Ten Commandments if we intend to want it to be posted at courthouses. He also talked about how we, as Christians are the salt and light of our community.

Rev. Todd Linn became pastor of First Baptist Church in July 2002. Prior to coming to Henderson he was pastor at Brookview Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky and Plum Creek Baptist Church in Vevay, Indiana.

Todd received his theological training from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where he received the Master of Divinity degree in 1999 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2004. He also received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University in 1987. In April 2005, Todd was also blessed to study under the "Prince of Expositors," Dr. Adrian Rogers, completing Dr. Rogers' Pastor Training Institute in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bill of Rights Day Celebration a Success
December 15, 2007

With a crowd of nearly 300, the 5th Annual Bill of Rights Day Celebration, held at the dowtown Evansville in the Old National Bank headquarters this year, was a success. A myriad of guests and dignitaries spoke, including author and historian Bill Federer, Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, and Indiana 8th District U.S. Congressman Brad Ellsworth. Bill Federer spoke on the "Bill of Rights: America's Response to the Concentration of Power in the Reign of King George III." Tommy Smith, dressed in attire symbolic of Uncle Sam, delivered a patriotic message.

Attendees beat back against an overcast and rainy morning to be present at this unique celebration of our Rights as citizens of the United States. We're thankful to all who put this event together and for the 2nd Amendment Patriots and Jim and Margie Tomes for their efforts, as well.

Bill Federer Explains What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur'an
The 1400 Year History of Islamic Expansion; The Battle of Tours, Fall of Constantinople, Barbary Pirates and Armenian Genocide
December 13, 2007

Detailing the historical context, the heretical Christian influence, and other facets of Islam, Muhammed, and the Qur'an, Federer described events from the Battle of Tours to the Armenian Genocide. He discussed the difference between Sunis and Shiites, who are fighting still today in Iraq and other Islamic countries; the difference arose out of one group wanting to follow the father-in-law and the other group the son-in-law of Muhammed. He described the destruction of the historical Library at Alexandria, Egypt, which housed thousands of important documents, as a result of Muslim conquest in the 7th century A.D.

There were many pagan religions in the region during Muhammed's time. In fact, Federer mentioned that Manicheasm was the belief system of Augustine before becoming a Christian. Federer showed how the many pagan religions influenced Muhammed's understanding of Christianity, including that of the Nestorians, Arians, Monothelitists, Ebonites and other heretical sects. Even Encyclopedia Brittanica confirms that it was through apocraphal and heretical teachings that Muhammed learned of Christianity. In fact, one of the Christian heretical sects of Muhammed's time, the Gnostics, had a tremendous influence today in the popular myth behind Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code.

Ironically, in 1492, the year of Columbus' trip to America, Muslims were driven out of Europe, particularly from Spain. According to Federer, the Mongols converted in mass to Islam so they could ride into towns, plunder, kill, and take the women with the blessing of Allah. St. Nicholas, later to become Santa Claus of American esteem, was a direct result of Muslim conquest. The bones of St. Nicholas were moved to Europe to avoid the tradition of giving bones of important icons to dogs, as Islamic invaders typically would do. The European presence of St. Nicholas influenced the Dutch tradition and would ultimately lead to America's tradition of giving at Christmas time.

Federer has written, and features in his self-publishing company Amerisearch, over a dozen books, including: What Every American Needs to Know about the Qur'an, America's God and Country - Encyclopedia of Quotations, Backfired - A Nation Born for Religious Tolerance No Longer Tolerates Religion, Three Secular Reasons Why America Should be Under God, Judicial Tyranny: The New Kings in America, The Interesting History of Income Tax, The Faith of FDR, and more. He also features "American Minute", a free daily email on America's Christian Heritage, among other materials.

Rees Lloyd Educates, Entertains, and Energizes at the 2007 Restoring Our Heritage Fall Banquet
Tuesday, October 8, 2007


At the 4th Annual ROH Fall Banquet on Monday, October 8th, 2007, former ACLU and civil rights attorney Rees Lloyd, excited the audience on issues surrounding the attack on our nation's Christian heritage and how he characterized his former employer, the ACLU, as the "Taliban of liberal secularism in America." Born a fellow Hoosier, the eloquent Rees Lloyd said at one point regarding the night's theme that he hoped they would join in his enthusiasm when saying "God and Country Forever - Surrender to the ACLU Never!" and the crowd burst into applause.

Now the 21st District Commander of the American Legion, Lloyd said with the legislation that John Hostettler originally authored, PERA (Public Expression of Religion Act), they could have been able to stem the tide of the ACLU's ability to extract taxpayer funds when they sued counties and municipalities on anti-religious grounds. One Republican Senator on the Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter, stood in the way of the legislation and Lloyd pointed out that the vote was an astounding 244-173 in the U.S. House.

Approximately 175 people attended the event, which was held at The Bauer Haus in Bauer's Grove in Evansville, Indiana. Lloyd spoke extensively on the efforts of his former employer (the ACLU) to attack faithful and law-abiding Americans and their veterans' memorials with their own tax dollars. He also noted a strong agreement with John Hostettler's intent to pass a restriction on burning the American flag as a form of "free speech."

John Hostettler also spoke briefly, mentioning his appreciation of the American Legion for standing with him on the PERA legislation. It was his opinion that it would not have been possible without them. He joked that a colleague in Congress noted that 1 member of Congress plus a 2.7 million member American Legion is a majority, in the same way we believe 1 person plus God is a majority.

We are grateful to those who contributed so much time, money, and effort to the event.

We Celebrate the Life of Marea Bradfield

On Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 10:30 PM, our good friend, Marea Bradfield, and first official paid staff member died from a 3 year battle with leukemia. She was a crucial part of our efforts within Restoring Our Heritage and we are reeling at this time because of how effective she was. Many of us are tempted to call her and ask her thoughts on all types of topics -- because of how intuitive and critical she was -- quickly to realize we cannot.

We have set up a special page in her memory that you can visit here. We know she must enjoy her new home! God be with the family at this time.

John Hostettler Addresses Restoring Our Heritage about James Madison on Property Rights
June 14, 2007

Former six term United States Congessman John Hostettler from Indiana's 8th District discussed, in what many reported as one of the more profound speeches by John Hostettler, property rights and the importance James Madison placed therein. The event was one of regularly scheduled bi-monthly General Meetings of Restoring Our Heritage, open to the public, in Newburgh, Indiana.

"Taxes come from you and from me, they come from all of us collectively who pay taxes. Now given that over 1/3 of Americans do not pay taxes, there is a particular set individuals who pay taxes whose wealth is transferred in the government to other individuals." And in his rhetorical way that many would relate to the likes of Socrates or Marcus Aurelius of old, he asked "Now, John, what does this have to do with taxes?"

He answered with a statement, that on the face of it seems simple enough, but is more profound as you see where Hostettler is going, "Property can be as much as a building, a piece of ground, or anything that can be considered yours."

The concept was carried over to a Biblical theme of covetousness, whereby individuals want those things of someone else. He quoted Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

Again, he continued to strengthen the connection, "Now, if you shall not covet anything that is your neighbor's -- what shall you covet -- what of your neighbor's can you claim or wish to be yours?" He qualified coveting as a subset of greed as that which deals with that which belongs to another person. This is not necessarily wanting the Mercedes at the dealership, he said, and while this may be another problem, it is not covetousness. "There is this notion of property rights and government coming in and acquiring my property -- allowing a transfer of wealth from one individual to another individual."

He asked what we might think this has to do with the founding of the country.

He answered, "During the ratification of the Constitution, three men got together and sought to argue for the ratification...in what we know today as Opinion Editorials...to allow citizens of New York to have the opportunity to see the merits of the Constitution as opposed to the Articles of Confederation." They were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay." James Madison is referred to as the Architect of the Constitution -- he was not a New Yorker, he was a Virginian -- but, given the profound status of James Madison in the country at that time and especially in regards to the Constitution -- Jay and Hamilton brought him in and said they would like him to sell the Constitution to their constituents." Madison started writing in what is known as the Federalist Papers in Federalist #10.

Madison started the article discussing factions and later tied this into those who might be inclined in the majority to take away property from the minority, among other injustices.

"By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."

John Hostettler continued, "If you read the federalist papers, you'll understand why progressives, or some people refer to them as liberals, they'll (mention) the name of Madison, but they won't talk much about what James Madison believed. They think that James Madison was just in favor of the 'seperation of chuch and state'." By this, some believe Madison's entire purpose should be to silence Christians, but the former Congressman continued, "but if you go deeper than just an inch, and you read the Federalist Papers, you will be inundated with this: Madison believed the reason of man was fallible."

Within this Federalist #10 opinion editorial, Madison directly approached the issue of property rights by saying 'The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government." Hostettler livened it up by saying, "It's like Ronald Reagan said, 'I never got a job from a poor man' -- Madison said it a little more eloquently, but Reagan was just on key."

Hostettler brought up how this idea by Madison that the first object of government was to protect property rights was a slightly different perspective than John Jay. Jay, in an earlier Federalist Paper wrote that peace and security of its people, is the first objective of government. But, Madison saw it as a critical component -- the importance of private property -- and that government should not come in and nullify a person's deed for some other interest because the legitamite land owner bought it first.

Hostettler continued to quote Madison in Federalist #10:

"So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions and excite their most violent conflicts. But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property.

From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties. Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property. "

According to Madison, government should protect the property rights of its citizens. Government should not be involved in allowing factions to control that or lead to this wicked project of equal distribution of property.

Hostettler noted explicitly that James Madison believed that the equal division of property was a wicked and improper project.

The direct phrase from Madison in Federalist #10 is below:

"A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State." (emphasis added)

Hostettler connected property with what happens in the federal government. He asked rhetorically why we spend more than we take in. For example, prescription drugs are never paid for with current revenues. Similarly, we do the same with the war in Iraq. There is no one projecting an end in sight to this kind of spending, he said definitively.

"So where does this bring us today?" Hostettler asked.

The former congressman noticed that an opinion editorial with the title "A Pious Nation" appeared in the USA Today by someone who specializes in religion and public life and also serves as a USA Today board member. The case is made in this article that America would truly be a more pious nation if we expanded transfer payments by the United States from those who have to those who have not.

Tying the discussion of property rights by Madison and the aspect of covetousness therein, Hostettler shows how this opinion editorial intends to incite Christians to do more by way of transfer payments within the federal government. Jokingly, Hostettler says that he also does not refer frequently in his article to James Madison. Hostettler distinctly relates this appeal to the "wicked project" that Madison stated in Federalist #10. According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:3, it profits you nothing as a Christian to give all you have to the poor and have not charity or love.

Hostettler made the statement, originating from Matthew 6:24, that:

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money"

He also recited Matthew 6:30-33:

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

"If you look now at the debates in Congress, there is this notion of compassionate conservatism. If you give through various faith entities, and those faith entities like alcoholism reduction programs, drug addiction programs ... suggest that Christ has anything to do with their ultimate healing, you will have your funds taken away. You can do everything with that money except where you learned the lessons that allowed you to help in that way." He qualified that these are not just his thoughts -- they are shared by James Madison. When Madison said it was wicked to take property from others, he knew who he was talking to. He talked in a language they would understand.

Hostettler neared the end of his talk, stating eloquently:

"So as we see today, what we consider to be an erosion of our property rights, all we have to do is go back to the beginning, go back to the founding, go back to the genesis and learn from those individuals who helped to create this republic -- that gave us this form of government -- and learn from them what was meant by 'property rights' and what government was to do to protect those rights and what government was not supposed to do in order to protect those rights." (emphasis added)

Congressman Hostettler was generous enough to take questions about property rights and any other topics after the talk for nearly an hour. Many mentioned the privelege it was to attend and to hear the profound nature of the former Congressman's discussion of issues important to him and an overwhelming majority of Americans. He helped to fulfill the objective of Restoring Our Heritage -- to educate people about these issues. We thank him for his enlightening, highly informed lecture and for his service within the United States Congress that the Founding Fathers very likely would have said furthered their cause and met their mutual standards.

Principal Jon Abbey talks about the separation of church and state applied to schools
April 12, 2007

Jon Abbey, the Principal of Princeton Community High School in Gibson County, Indiana, was the featured speaker for the Restoring Our Heritage General Meeting. Formerly in sales, Abbey was willing to leave a "great career" to pursue one that had always been his passion -- education.

Abbey discussed that court cases along with the Constitution reveal that you can pray in school, for one. Qualifying his speech, he said he speaks as an individual and not as a principal, but he said that the "original idea for no federally mandated church system has gone so far beyond the Founder's intent that we likely have harmed the country as a result." The court system has legislated many issues that have not been theirs to legislate. "The Supreme Court found that you couldn't pray in the stands at football games, but that's probably pushing beyond the Establishment Clause," he added.

One of the important elements that Abbey covered regarding his fellow educators was that "you have to have the courage to defend the Constitution." By not standing to defend it, he inferred ave encouraged many of our problems. He then talked about legal issues with schools and how the ACLU has been able to make much ground in education; he said "if you really want to know why school boards operate the way they do on this issue is because they are scared -- It's costly even if you are right." He finished his presentation by saying "if we don't support the Constitution, as educators, who will?" He referenced Thomas Jefferson as one of his favorite founders, and quoted him saying "educate and inform the whole mass of the people...they are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."

The U.S. Congress and President of the United States Celebrate the 15th "Religious Freedom Day" (Which Happens to be Date of the Formation of Restoring Our Heritage)
January 16, 2007

In an incredible twist of fate, it turns out that the date originally designated as "Religious Freedom Day", January 16, 1993, would turn out to be the very day of the year, January 16th, that Restoring Our Heritage would form eight years later -- and the random and unintentional nature of ROH making it that day is what is so astonishing.

Religious Freedom Day was originally designated for January 16, 1993 by act of Congress and through declaration by President George H. W. Bush in honor of the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. This Statute was authored by Thomas Jefferson and ultimately passed on January 16, 1786 and would eventually influence the Bill of Rights adopted into the U.S. Constitution.

It is only fitting and proper, considering the remarks of our three presidents over the past 15 years of Religious Freedom Day proclamations, that the work of Restoring Our Heritage to Educate Americans of their Christian Heritage continues.

To see this year's Religious Freedom Day proclamation by President George W. Bush, click here (found on the whitehouse.gov website)

For information on the annual celebration and declaration of Religious Freedom Day, visit religiousfreedomday.com

Dennis Newberry speaks about George Washington at the August ROH General Meeting
August 10, 2006


Dennis discussed the "Father of our Nation," George Washington, at the August General Meeting. He mentioned the admiration of his troops and even arch enemy King George of England commented that he was of "great character." Washington, even though he was very wealthy in his early twenties, still contributed heavily and even slept in tents.





Michael Deering speaks at ROH General Meeting
June 8, 2006


Michael spoke of our problems, from illegal immigrants (which he explained as a Mexican insurgency) to our inability as Christians to stand up for what is right. When the country was first founded, Christianity was the focus. "Frankly we are in a do or die situation" in reference to the point at which the Roman empire reached, which he drew comparison to for current day America.

"True freedom comes from Jesus Christ, which is what the Founding Fathers knew well," Michael mentioned. Recommending that we fulfill the Great Commission in our everyday activities, he ended the presentation a Thomas Jefferson quote: "Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed their only firm foundation -- that they are a gift from God?"




Lately, America has been on a course that is not admirable, let alone been pleasing to God. Abortion on demand, condom distribution in schools, removing signs of faith from all of our institutions, are just a few of the signs that our society is experiencing a severe moral and spritual breakdown. George Mason, essentially the author of the Bill of Rights, warned us that “by an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins, by national calamities.” Jesus told us that we are to "occupy" until he returns. As a result, it is our responsibility -- as Christians and as Americans -- to take action.

One of the best things we can do is to educate people of the truth during these trying times. Restoring Our Heritage was formed to do just that -- to educate Americans of their Christian Heritage, something that has not been in textbooks for more than a half century. The truth is that the United States was founded solidly upon principles originating from the Bible. The vast majority of the Founding Fathers were Christians. They spoke much regarding the way that Christianity was the backbone of American society. One good example is how our three branches of government were derived, which our Founding Fathers modeled from Isaiah 33:22 "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us."

Only when we understand our past,
will we know what we must do in the present,
so that we, the American people, will have a bright future.

It is only then, that we can again be a beacon of hope and truth to the other nations and their peoples.

________________

We hope that you will join with us in this opportunity to educate Americans about our true Christian Heritage.

• Be sure to see our quotes page for more about what George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Quincy Adams, Patrick Henry, and many more had to say about our nation and us as a people.

• For more resources on these and related topics, visit the resources page. We have included books from authors such as David Barton, Rev. Peter Marshall, Bill Federer, Tim LaHaye, and Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

• We offer membership for those who would want to join the ROH team. Go to our membership page to learn more about the cost and benefits of joining.

• Restoring Our Heritage has many goals for the future to help spread the truth, but funding is what makes those measures possible, as well it is essential for a not-for-profit [501 (c) 3] tax-deductible organization to survive. We hope that you will consider visiting the donations page to help us get closer to those goals.