Let’s take a moment today to correct a bit of a historical myth. Yesterday was National American Eagle Day. This bird of prey is our national symbol and is incorporated on The Great Seal of the United States, adopted on June 20, 1782.
“The Continental Congress gave Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams the job of designing an official seal for the new nation. However, the three Founding Fathers failed to come up with a design that won Congress’ approval, as did two later committees that were given the task.
“In mid-June 1782, the work of all three committees was handed over to Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress. Thomson chose what he thought were the best elements of the various designs and made the eagle—which had been introduced by artistically inclined Pennsylvania lawyer William Barton in a design submitted by the third committee—more prominent.”1
The more Benjamin Franklin looked at the design, the less he liked it. The common belief is that he had wanted the turkey to be our national symbol instead of the eagle. Is that true? This is where myth, legend, and truth overlap.
On January 26, 1784 – 18 months AFTER the Great Seal had been adopted – Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter. “For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
“With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping & robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country…
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”2
Nothing historical ever proves that Franklin actually wanted the turkey for our national bird. Instead, facts blended with fiction and the fictious part became more factual than the facts! As the old saying goes, “Repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.” This quote has often been attributed to a couple of Nazi leaders. However, once again, that has been disproven – but who believes that since this myth has been propagated for so long. Psychologists call this the illusion of truth.
I don’t believe that those promoting the idea of Franklin wanting the turkey for our national bird were setting out to be malicious or to intentionally deceive. I think they latched on to something because 1) Franklin was known for his sayings and eclectic ways of thinking and 2) the imagery is really funny to think about. But this just shows the danger that comes from playing loose with the truth.
In the Bible, there is a grave warning about this. Consider these verses:
1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Titus 1:13-14 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (14) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Fables is from the Greek word muthos from which we get the word myth. The word simply means a speech or saying; a fiction; a fable; an invention. Over time, myths take on the essence of a true narrative. The content, though, and its quality is unchanged. It’s still false.
Christians must watch out for and avoid fables and myths, especially those that pertain to the Word of God. Instead, we need to follow the admonition of 1 Timothy 4:7. “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
1https://www.history.com/news/how-did-the-bald-eagle-become-americas-national-bird
2https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/american-myths-benjamin-franklins-turkey-and-the-presidential-seal-6623414/
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