As we approach another Thanksgiving, that statement rings truer than ever, as many Americans have no idea of the sacrifices made by those who crossed the Atlantic for religious freedom, nor of the legacy for those who would come after. And in some cases, others now deride them for making the trip in the first place.
First, a little context: A little more than 400 years ago, a group of devout Pilgrims crossed the Atlantic on an overcrowded ship, seeking the right to freely practice their faith and live their lives in accordance with their conscience without government interference.
The small ship, called the “Mayflower,” was rife with disease as it traversed the stormy Atlantic waters to what was being called the “New World.”
Many of the brave souls who had set sail never made it to this new land. Those who did make it endured even more suffering through a harsh New England winter, fallow crops, and other hardships.
The Mayflower Compact was the first attempt at self-government on the North American continent. It was also the document that ultimately served as the basis for the religious liberty enshrined in the U.S. Constitution—a precious freedom that we continue to enjoy today.
While the document used Christianity as its basis and stated that all colonists should live in accordance with the Christian faith, it was also a pluralistic document meant for the good of both Christians and non-Christians alike to be able to govern themselves and abide in harmony with each other, regardless of their differences. The compact proclaimed that the colonists would create and enact “laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices” that would allow the colony to thrive, and they would create one society and work together, rather than in opposition to each other, because faith informs good government for all.
In fact, it was these very principles that inspired Thomas Jefferson and the signers of the Declaration of Independence as they laid the foundation upon which our nation was built—the values of self-government, private property, Christian morals, industry, and religious liberty.
In our present contentious times, when America seems hopelessly divided on practically every issue, I would suggest that it is time for us to reflect on the principles the Pilgrims provided and that have served as the foundation that resulted in the freest country on Earth. Whether it is Christian or non-Christian, Republican or Democrat, Baby Boomer or millennial, we should all appreciate the legacy the Pilgrims gave us.
But if we forget that history and the freedoms the Pilgrims bequeathed us through the Mayflower Compact, we will not be able to preserve that legacy, as Gorsuch noted, for future generations. And with no understanding of the historical foundation the Pilgrims provided, our country will be swayed back and forth, just as the Mayflower did, through countless storms. But unlike the sturdy Mayflower, which sustained storm after storm, America is not likely to survive.
However, if we thoughtfully remember those principles and the sacrifices the Pilgrims made and express thankfulness for what they provided for us all, I believe that we can once again be in harmony, respectful of our differences but united in our gratitude for our freedom and respect for each other. That is my prayer for this and every Thanksgiving.
