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Faith and Liberty Discovery Center

Faith and Liberty Discovery Center The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center offers a unique lens from which to understand the history of Philadelphia and the nation — faith.

The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center invites visitors of all backgrounds to discover how faith guides liberty towards justice in an immersive and interactive experience. Among America’s essential founding documents, the Bible is a significant cultural force that has inspired, influenced, and informed the American ideal of liberty, and continues to shape our national identity as a free people.

Operating as usual

Happy ! 🌎 What used to be a dark alleyway between 4th and 5th streets is now a beautiful courtyard area complete with ca...
04/22/2022

Happy ! 🌎 What used to be a dark alleyway between 4th and 5th streets is now a beautiful courtyard area complete with cafe seating, a performance stage, and a contemplative garden. Next time you're on the mall, take a stroll between Mikveh Israel and the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center to see its transformation!

 On April 19, 1775, the Revolutionary War broke out with the "shot heard 'round the world" at the battles of Lexington a...
04/19/2022

On April 19, 1775, the Revolutionary War broke out with the "shot heard 'round the world" at the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Samuel Adams, a well-known Patriot and delegate to the Continental Congress, wrote to his wife Betsy to assure her of God's providence in the events unfolding:

"I am so fully satisfied in the justice of our cause that I can confidently as well as devoutly pray that the righteous Disposer of all things [Job 34:13; Proverbs 16:33] would succeed our enterprises. If he suffers us to be defeated in any or all of them I shall believe it to be for the most wise and gracious purposes and shall heartily acquiesce in the Divine disposal."

Learn more about the intersection between faith and liberty at the FLDC. Plan your visit: https://bit.ly/1ItQFrG

Modern Americans aren't the only ones who have struggled with their taxes. You've probably heard the phrase, "Taxation w...
04/18/2022

Modern Americans aren't the only ones who have struggled with their taxes. You've probably heard the phrase, "Taxation without representation is tyranny!"

In 1763, Boston lawyer James Otis, who spoke these famous words, published what he believed to be "[Parliament's] bounds, which by God and nature are fixed...."

This included the principle that, "Taxes are not to be laid on the people, but by their consent in person, or by deputation."

Wonder what James Otis would have to say today!

"Observing the rites of Passover and Easter, we're linked in time to the ancient origins of our values and to the unborn...
04/16/2022
Faith and Liberty Discovery Center | FLDC

"Observing the rites of Passover and Easter, we're linked in time to the ancient origins of our values and to the unborn generations who will still celebrate them long after we're gone. As Paul explained in his Epistle to the Ephesians, 'He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. So then you were no longer strangers and aliens, but you were fellow citizens of God's household.'"

Ronald Reagan spoke these words during a 1983 radio address, quoting Ephesians 2:17-19 to encourage unity between people of faith.

Learn more about the role of unity in American history at the FLDC. Visit: https://bit.ly/3dzFBye

Discover the Bible’s influence on America’s founders, leaders, reformers, and historical milestones—right on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. Journey through time from America's founding to the present, revisiting key moments where faith inspired the American pursuit of liberty towards just...

 in 1865 (Good Friday), President Abraham Lincoln died, after he was hit by an assassin's bullet the day before at Ford'...
04/15/2022

in 1865 (Good Friday), President Abraham Lincoln died, after he was hit by an assassin's bullet the day before at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Two days following his death, Vice President Andrew Johnson spoke on the late president and his own hopes for the new administration:

"I must be permitted to say, if I understand the feelings of my own heart, that I have long labored to ameliorate and elevate the condition of the great mass of the American people. Toil and an honest advocacy of the great principles of free government have been my lot. Duties have been mine; consequences are God's. This has been the foundation of my political creed, and I feel that in the end the Government will triumph and that these great principles will be permanently established."

Image: The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, 1865.

Looking for a part-time job with benefits? The FLDC is  several Visitor Experience Assistants to join our growing team!T...
04/14/2022

Looking for a part-time job with benefits? The FLDC is several Visitor Experience Assistants to join our growing team!

These frontline staff members will engage with visitors in one of Philadelphia's newest, most immersive and interactive attractions on Independence Mall. Part-time benefits include paid time-off, holiday pay, and commuter allowances.

Apply now: bit.ly/2UoH6Jh

Happy birthday to our third president, Thomas Jefferson! 🥳Jefferson, born  in 1743, served in many roles. He was a state...
04/13/2022

Happy birthday to our third president, Thomas Jefferson! 🥳

Jefferson, born in 1743, served in many roles. He was a statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, and philosopher, and he took a strong stance in favor of religious liberty.

In honor of his 279th birthday, we reflect on a piece of advice that Jefferson wrote to his 11-year-old daughter, Martha, in 1783:

"If ever you are about to say anything amiss or to do anything wrong, consider beforehand. You will feel something within you which will tell you it is wrong and ought not to be said or done: this is your conscious, and be sure to obey it. Our maker has given us all, this faithful internal monitor, and if you always obey it, you will always be prepared for the end of the world."

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." It was  in 1963 that Martin Luther King Jr. wrote these words on...
04/12/2022

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." It was in 1963 that Martin Luther King Jr. wrote these words on scraps of paper in a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama.

His now-famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" makes a biblical case for nonviolent resistance and has since become a hallmark of the civil-rights movement.

At first, King was "initially disappointed" at being called an extremist for his methods of resistance, but, "gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label". He reasoned, "Was not Jesus an extremist for love: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you' [Matthew 5:44]."

King went on to write, "So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?"

Learn more about the life of the Rev. Dr. King at the FLDC: https://bit.ly/1ItQFrG

 "There is so much prosperity to the wicked in this world, and the good, as far as human nature can be called good, are ...
04/08/2022

"There is so much prosperity to the wicked in this world, and the good, as far as human nature can be called good, are followed by such great and manifold afflictions that some consolatory principle of trust upon divine justice is necessary to the comfort of existence."

- John Quincy Adams, U.S. President and diplomat, 1812

 The FLDC is searching for several Visitor Experience Assistants to join our growing team. These frontline staff members...
04/06/2022

The FLDC is searching for several Visitor Experience Assistants to join our growing team.

These frontline staff members will engage with visitors in one of Philadelphia's newest, most immersive and interactive attractions on Independence Mall.

Part-time benefits include paid time-off, holiday pay, and commuter allowances.

Apply now: bit.ly/2UoH6Jh

Booker T. Washington, an American champion of education, was born enslaved but went on to become an influential leader, ...
04/05/2022

Booker T. Washington, an American champion of education, was born enslaved but went on to become an influential leader, even serving as advisor to two presidents. Today would have been his 166th birthday.

Washington attended the Hampton Institute in southeastern Virginia, having walked 500 miles to get there from Malden, West Virginia. It was here that he found a love for the scriptures:

"Perhaps the most valuable thing that I got out of my second year [at the Hampton Institute] was an understanding of the use and value of the Bible.... Before this I had never cared a great deal about it, but now I learned to love to read the Bible, not only for the spiritual help which it gives, but on account of it as literature."

Happy Birthday Booker T. Washington! 🥳

 "The language of all the interpretations, the translations, of the Judaic Bible and the Christian Bible, is musical, ju...
04/04/2022

"The language of all the interpretations, the translations, of the Judaic Bible and the Christian Bible, is musical, just wonderful. I read the Bible to myself; I'll take any translation any edition, and read it aloud, just to hear the language, hear the rhythm, and remind myself how beautiful English is...."

These words were spoken by American poet Maya Angelou in 1990. Today would have been her 94th birthday, born in 1928.

It was  in 1681 that King Charles II of England proclaimed the Charter of Pennsylvania. The land was granted to William ...
04/02/2022

It was in 1681 that King Charles II of England proclaimed the Charter of Pennsylvania. The land was granted to William Penn to pay off a debt that the crown owed his father, who had passed away in 1670.

Contrary to popular belief, the colony was named in honor of Penn's father, not William. The word "sylvania" (Latin for forest) was added at the request of the younger Penn.

Image: The Landing of William Penn by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1932.

Anne Bradstreet, considered to be America's first poet, was born in England and settled in the Puritan colony of Massach...
03/30/2022
By Night when Others Soundly Slept by Anne… | Poetry Foundation

Anne Bradstreet, considered to be America's first poet, was born in England and settled in the Puritan colony of Massachusetts in 1630. By Night When Others Soundly Slept, first printed in 1867, reflects on Bradstreet's reliance on faith through a sleepless night:

By night when others soundly slept,
And hath at once both ease and Rest,
My waking eyes were open kept,
And so to lie I found it best.

I sought him whom my Soul did Love,
With tears I sought him earnestly [1 Peter 5:7]
He bow'd his ear down from Above,
In vain I did not seek or cry.

Read the full poem here: https://bit.ly/3JTlp8J

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 Have you sat inside the Reflection Dome in the Hope Gallery? This tranquil space is filled with songs from a variety of...
03/26/2022

Have you sat inside the Reflection Dome in the Hope Gallery?

This tranquil space is filled with songs from a variety of artists - from Chance the Rapper to the Monks of the Abbey of Notre Dame - who have been inspired by scripture to hope for a better tomorrow.

Come see it for yourself! bit.ly/1ItQFrG

 Sarah Grimké was a Southern-born activist and abolitionist who came to Philadelphia in the early 1820s to become a Quak...
03/25/2022

Sarah Grimké was a Southern-born activist and abolitionist who came to Philadelphia in the early 1820s to become a Quaker. She wrote a series of 'Letters on the Equality of the Sexes', using scripture to assert the equality of men and women:

"[The creation of Eve] was not, therefore, merely to give man a creature susceptible of loving, obeying, and looking up to him, for all that the animals could do and did do. It was to give him a companion, in all respects his equal; one who was like himself a free agent, gifted with intellect and endowed with immortality; not a partaker merely of his animal gratifications, but able to enter into all his feelings as a moral and responsible being."

You can learn more about the work of Sarah Grimké and what inspired her at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center. Visit: bit.ly/1ItQFrG

Address

101 N Independence Mall East, STE 100
Philadelphia, PA
19106

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12153090401

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The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center offers a unique lens from which to understand the history of Philadelphia and the nation — faith. Among America’s essential founding documents, the Bible is a significant organizing cultural force that has inspired, influenced, and informed the American ideal of liberty and continues to shape our national identity as a free people. Faith and Liberty Discovery Center will be one of Philadelphia's most immersive and interactive experiences coming to Independence Mall. Projected Opening 2021

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Donald Trump: 'I Could ... Shoot Somebody, And I Wouldn't Lose Any Voters'. His statement made on January 23, 2016 5:00 PM ET
The president actually does believe that he is above the Law. He opened up the People's White House as his campaign headquarters, this was a first. No other presidents of this country has ever done this, and this was a violation if the Hatch Act... big time. This president holds no regards for the Constitution of the United States..He also committed Treason by inviting Communist China to investigate an American dignitary.
How much the American will continue to take before they calls for accountability.
SELAH
If your interested, I wrote books! They are a new structure to a new country! Includes full constitution! You can make all new laws! Sold in Amazon!
George Washington, Samuel Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, and Paul Revere; men of renoun, men who are venerated and held in high esteem in our classrooms and churches, their actions and leadership celebrated each year on July 4th. Christian historians laud their faith and many quote from their writings. They're held up as great men of God, our "Founding Fathers."

They financed, planned and led the charge against a tyrannical British Empire who had subjugated the colonies of the Americas. Thousands fought and died to birth this nation through great trials, giving their lives as a sacrifice for the hope that if they could not live free themselves their family would one day. So they held on, persevered and won the victory.

I wonder if any of these men ever stopped to ponder Romans 13? The King of England was the rightful ruler over the colonies. He was the authority appointed by God, yet, these men whom so many of you revere rebelled against the King. Yet you celebrate them as great God fearing men.

Millions more came after them, serving this great nation and through blood and anguish they have preserved your freedoms. And now, you scoff at what was purchased at such a high price. You make the deaths of my brothers and sisters of no account by your capitulation of the freedoms we purchased. This is a betrayal by the American people and the church in particular. When you refuse to walk in the freedom we that had provided you might as well be spitting in our faces and desecrating the graves of our fallen soldiers.

William Wallace, a name only known by historians before the release of the movie Braveheart in 1995. It's a favorite among many Christian men for its fearless pursuit of justice and freedom. Most reading this know of the passion the movie elicited and like me were probably ready to go buy a claymore and a kilt to charge the fields at Fulkirk and Stirling Bridge.

Many Christian confrences, workshops and bible studies were fashioned after the theme of the movie...FREEDOM. And many a person quoted, "They may take our lives, but they'll never take OUR FREEDOM!!!" And even today, when you read that quote, many of you read it with emotion. It is a movie worthy of many quotes, such as this;

"Men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you, both noble and common, they respect you and if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I."

"Solemn" ceremonies were held in men's confrences and churches across America where men were "knighted" for completing a course of study as swords were given in "honor" of their great achievement as if they had actually charged in battle. This kind of "courage" is short lived because it's cheap.

Today, not a peep from these men. Only a spirit of compliance is propagated from the virtual pulpit. Let's not offend, let's not talk about the truth because it can be deemed as negative. After all, we don't want to be labeled as conspiracy theorists. Whatever the government wants, we will comply. We will be safe.

My heart aches. Not for the nation as a whole, but for those who served and sacrificed themselves to preserve what you now throw away.

And yet, there is ONE who sacrificed far more than anyone to purchase your freedom. He left glory, his high place to dwell among men. He fought, he bled and he died to purchase your freedom and he rose again on the third day to seal it for all eternity. But many who call themselves Christians are too afraid to walk in that freedom and are today making his sacrifice of no account. He leads us to freedom. And it's not a freedom without risk but one that must be lived through faith and courage while laying down the crutches of peace and safety.

Consider Peter and John in chapter 3 and 4 of the book of Acts. They were preaching in Jerusalem and were arrested. After spending the night in jail and being "severely threatened" by the pharisees, what did they do? Did they go home and cower in fear? Did they reason among themselves and decided it would be safer to comply with the demands of the government? Did they pray for deliverance? No. They prayed for boldness. What's happened to your boldness church?
Many years ago we (Global Diversity office staff) went to the predecessor of this museum (in Philadelphia) . The Liberty Museum was amazing....
Will it have a display of all the heretics NOT burned at the stake? And all the witches who were allowed to live? (Trying to imagine the intersection of Faith and Liberty)
ALWAYS post this with all the faith baloney.
This would make more sense. In approx. {?} month, of the summer, in 1981, I lost my wallet at a pay phone, in the Quaker area, in Virginia, where I had stopped to make a call to my mom. It was so hot, when I closed the door of my car, a1966 Catalina, I loved, anyway, my window broke, it just turned to crumbled sugar. Like shattered, in crumbled many pieces, of sugar. This upset, then trying to call my mom, in N.J. just to check in, did not answer the phone, of course, increased my level of anxiety. I some how, left my wallet at that pay phone, I didn't need anything, etc. I was just calling to check in, I had a bit of a experience, just prior, that also concerned me. While going down the highway, a tire on the car, just plain blew, while going down the highway. So a higher rate of speed, and I was praising and thanking the good lord, things went the way they did, also. However, that experience, just sparked my concern for everyone, my family. We were ok, completely fine, I just wanted to check in with my family, i always, checked in on, if at times, my anxiety was a bit escalated. Who by the way at the time? Had company, in, visiting, more of our family, visiting at the time, so they were not at home, they were out and about, having a dinner, going to the casino, just some tourist things, for our family that was visiting at the time. I was thinking, i am out on the road, and thought to myself, something must have been wrong, not there to answer my call? I did not know, we had family from out of town, visiting. I was very happy, to learn later and Thanking, praising God, nothing was wrong there. It just added to my distractions, my thought process at the time, etc. My little ditz phase, distraction, forgetting my wallet at the pay phone. Anyway, My Maiden name at the time was Grier and the name on my license, identity, of my wallet I had lost, then. Later, Upon realizing, I had lost my wallet, went back to the gas station, where we had stopped, where my window broke, where I had tried to use the pay phone to call my mom, check on the family, where I left my wallet. When I went into the gas station, to ask if anyone found, or returned my wallet? I had explained, aside from my license, we are on vacation, I had $80.00 in the wallet. I never planned on receiving back when it was lost, so was not a thought again. i just hoped it helped someone that actually needed it. Not much money at all, however, I had left at the pay phone, I had tried to use, to call my mom. I was on a camping trip with a friend, {I no longer speak to these days, I think, since about, 1982ish. Everyone grew up, got married, moved on in life, etc.} Anyway, the gas station attendant looked around a bit, they did not have my wallet. They explained, I was in a Quaker area, which they insisted, were very honest people. So they did not believe anyone of the Quaker's, if found it, would have taken it, without returning it and if had, to the gas station, it would be there. So, It could have been yet another tourist, also going through the area, as we were, if it could not be found. It was reported, I had to replace all of my information, the normal things, if and when loose your license, identity, et. Quite possibly, someone may have taken the money and tossed the wallet and identity. To think now, I do not believe, identity theft, in my opinion, was something of a norm back in those days. Nothing at all like these days. It was definitely, a different time, day and age, in our Nation. Even in that short period of time, ago. The 1981 to 2020, not that long of a period of time. Things were definitely, not like they are today. So I kind of felt quite comfortable, even as I thought, when I had reported the loss, what had happened. Not finding my wallet, or any thing in it. Really didn't seem to matter as much at that time. Identity theft certainly was not even a thought back then, as it maybe, in these days. I have heard stories, of crime, etc. in different inner city areas, through time. There was theft in the cities, some rare reports of violent crimes, areas of financial desperation, however, not nearly as bad as things are in these days. I was happy, that if I had to loose my identity, it was in a Quaker area, as my thoughts were, my address was on the identity in the wallet. So if a Quaker had found it at a later time, they would have mailed it back. At a later time, some time later, my mom had called me and said I received a envelope, with a license in it. Did I need it? No, but that is probably, why, or where I received it from, some honest person found it, and mailed it to my parents home at that time. I do not recall, I was not living at home, at that time either. In any regard, I think I said, no, just toss it, I had replaced my lost information, and my mom likely tossed it. So, my thoughts, story about, a Quaker town, in Virginia, back around the 1981, period of time.
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