January 18, 2012 - Bible Distribution in Collier County High Schools

On Wednesday, January 18^th, Collier County recognized National Religious Freedom Day (schools were closed on January 16^th to observe Martin Luther King Day).  World Changers of Florida used this occasion to distribute 800 free Bibles at eight public high schools in Collier.  Twenty-four volunteers participated in the program.  World Changers would like to thank school officials for their cooperation and hospitality which helped make the event a success.

National Religious Freedom Day commemorates Virginia's adoption of Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. This statute became the basis for the establishment clause, securing freedom of religion under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.  Jefferson is often cited as the architect of the supposed “wall” separating church and state.  Some assume that Jefferson was opposed to displays of faith in the public sector. However, Jefferson invoked God when writing the Statue itself;

1. Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy author of our religion, who being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either

When Thomas Jefferson was the first President of the Washington D.C. school board they adopted the Bible as a primary reader.  I think it is safe to say that Thomas Jefferson had great respect for religion.

May God Bless America, our schools, students, teachers and administrators.