The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law, is in reality no law, but is wholly void, and ineffective for any purpose; since unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment, and not merely from the date of the decision so branding it. "No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it."
- 16 Am Our 2d, Sec 177 * late 2d, Sec 256
"The Bible is the Book upon which this Republic rests."
- Andrew Jackson
"We have staked the whole future of civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future... upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God."
- James Madison (signer of the U.S. Constitution)
"Our political way of life is by the laws of nature, of nature's God, and of course presupposes the existence of God, the moral ruler of the universe, and a rule of right and wrong, of just and unjust, binding upon man, preceding all institutions of human society and of government."
- John Quincy Adams