Article June 30, 1956 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from John Foster Dulles, W. Smith

John Foster Dulles in an address as reprinted in The Rotarian Chicago, Illinois

The political institutions of my country are what they are because our founders were deeply religious people. As soon as a community was founded, a church was built. Also, wherever a community was founded, its members developed practices and ways of life which reflected their belief that there is a God; that He is the author of a moral law which all can know and should obey; that He imparts to each human being a spiritual dignity and worth which all should respect.

Our founders sought to reflect these truths in their political institutions, seeking thus that God's will should be done on earth. Our Constitution says, in unmistakable terms, that man, even in the guise of government, cannot lawfully deny other men their fundamental rights and freedoms. Thus we became heirs to a noble heritage.

Send a comment to the editors

This is the end of the issue. Ready to explore further?

Online features Audio