The American Declaration of Independence—A Concept to Grow Into

As we honor America’s founding ideals, we must also recognize their contradictions and ask how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

Throughout human history, certain documents have had a profound impact on our world.  The documents created by the founders of the United States of America are at the top of that list. The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are among the most significant writings in human history.  These documents included concepts that had never even been conceived of in most of the world before.

Before these three documents, there was the Magna Carta (which limited the power of the English monarchy and led to the development of constitutional law). After them, there was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (which addresses universally protected human rights). There are others, but these stand out the most.

As we celebrate Independence Day, it seems a good time to examine the meaning and significance of these documents and reflect on what we can learn from them. In particular, I’d like to look at the Declaration of Independence. You may recall it begins with the inspiring words:

“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, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

These are words that people worldwide have found to be a source of hope.

My regular readers are aware that one of my perspectives often revolves around what aliens might learn by observing our behavior here on Planet Earth.  So, let’s see what we can learn. The Declaration of Independence is interesting on many levels, but one notable aspect is the lengthy list of complaints against King George III.

There were almost thirty specific complaints against him.  If I had to summarize, they complained that he would not allow them to participate in their governance, he was unfair, a thief, and a barbarian, among other things. Ironically, it includes a complaint about the King’s use of “the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions” against them. This, even though they had invaded the Native Americans’ land and proceeded to massacre them at every opportunity and in every way possible.

If aliens were to observe us throughout human history, they would see we often have lofty ideals for ourselves, our relatives, and those who share our likeness. Yet, somehow, we fail to recognize how those ideals apply to others.  This is not unique to the American founders; it is what humans have historically done.  We have one set of rules for us, and another for the “others.”

Another thing aliens might be surprised about is the inconsistency between the words and the practice of the Declaration of Independence. The document might seem tone-deaf to them and make them wonder what exactly was self-evident. How could these things be self-evident, but only apply to some?

They might also wonder how, while they invoke a Creator, they only invoke It to “endow” males. What kind of Creator only endows part of Its creations with “unalienable rights.”  They might ponder which parts of Its creation get these rights and why?

Of course, we know we humans have always used various methods to divide and conquer.  For example, at the time they wrote these documents, their definition of men excluded anyone who did not look like them and/or belonged to their social class.  Aliens might find this ironic because the colonists who fled England were essentially creating the social order they had escaped.

Aliens would notice that we create stories to accommodate our needs. Like redefining what a man is to fit their purpose. For example, Native Americans and Africans were not considered humans to them, so they didn’t count.  Aliens might wonder what plans the Creator had for these beings. They would notice the convenient invocation of a one-sided Creator who seems to see the suffering of one group and not others.

They would notice that we change the rules as necessary to achieve our purposes. All the great empires have done it. One notable example was King Henry VIII, who created a new religion to allow for a divorce. They would notice that often we don’t care what happens to others as long as our group is protected.

The words of the three significant American documents are big and timeless, and I maintain they were beyond the understanding of the men who wrote them. They were so remarkable that they allowed for the expansion of definitions over time. For example, today we know the words aren’t just applicable to wealthy land-owning men. 

No one can argue about the genius of these documents. The challenge is the meaning we give the words, including who they apply to, how they are applied, and whether the meaning is a moving target to be adjusted for the benefit of some.  Aliens watching might certainly wonder about the inconsistencies in the application. Ultimately, after almost 250 years, the documents are due for an update. The Declaration of Independence could certainly be revised, at least in part, to:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all humans are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

As we mark another Independence Day, let’s remember that the power of America’s founding documents lies in their potential, not just to reflect who we were, but to guide who we can become. True patriotism is not blind reverence, but the courage to question, revise, and strive toward a version of America that lives up to its promise, for everyone. We understand the past and the human drive for survival. However, we look forward to the day when all of humanity will stand in oneness and be willing to create a world that works for everyone.—Olivia S. Benson