We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Library, and the Pursuit of Happiness. — Declaration of Independence
WE …
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We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Library, and the Pursuit of Happiness. — Declaration of Independence
WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. — Preamble to the Constitution
LOXLEY, Ala. -- Most people would recognize those passages from two documents that shaped American history.
But how much do we really know about the Constitution of the United States? One group believes that simply by learning what we don't know, it can safe this nation.
“A major part of what we do is educating the public,” said Wayne Christopher, chapter leader for the Mobile chapter of the John Birch Society. “Most people for whatever reason think about the John Birch Society as negative without really having any basis in fact. We believe that most of the problems we’re having in our society today could be fixed if people would just follow what we believe.”
Formed by Robert Welch in December 1958, the John Birch Society takes its name from the legendary World War II Army Capt. John Birch.
According to its website, jbs.org, the organization's overall goal has always been to create sufficient understanding amongst the American people about both their country and its enemies, so that they could protect freedom and ensure continuation of the nation's independence.
“We have always been about fighting against totalitarianism,” Christopher said. “Our main focus is to inform the public and we believe that if the public understood the basic principles of the Constitution, then they would gravitate toward what we believe.”
With that in mind, beginning Tuesday and every Tuesday thereafter over the next six weeks, the group will host a “Constitution is the Solution” workshop at the Lakeland 55 Clubhouse, 25813 Lakeland Drive, Loxley.
The free DVD series features Robert Brown, Regional field director with the John Birch Society and are set to begin at 6:30 p.m. each night.
“Our purpose is to provide people with information in order to defend the Constitution,” Christopher said. “Our focis is to restore moral culture and get back to our roots, which is the system that the Constitution was designed around.”
The Mobile chapter includes 28 members, Christopher said, including three members from Baldwin Conty. The goal is to expand into Baldwin and the surrounding counties.
“We would like to see a chapter in every county of the first Congressional district,” Christopher said, which includes Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Escambia and Monroe couties, along with part of Clarke County.
The society is also hoping to attract more of the younger generation.
“There’s just such an atmosphere of apathy among the younger generation,” he said, “but we do have some participating and we are encouraged by that.”
Registration is not necessary, but would be helpful, Christopher said. To register call Larry Lutz, 251-964-7680, or Christopher, 251-895-7799.