Are Enlightenment ideals still relevant as a guiding force in current American society?

1)  Are Enlightenment ideals still relevant as a guiding force in current American society?  How so? In your answer, please be sure to address current events and issues.  

2)  How did Enlightenment Era thought to influence the Declaration of Independence? In your answer, be sure to address how political thought evolved during the Enlightenment Era and how those shifts are represented within the Declaration of Independence. 

Use the links to support the discussion above:

http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp

 The Declaration of Independence 

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