Secular Progressives Defaming Jefferson, Franklin, & Adams

dbcjr

[DBCJR]

I think Jefferson sorely misunderstood in his theology. His politic was too often identified as atheism. Jefferson might be described today as a Libertarian, running counter to most of his contemporaries who were zealously Christian, bleeding into their political views.

Comments like, "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." This comment was simply to say that government had no place in religion, it should be neutral on the subject. This idea was radical at this time and provoked criticism from fervent believers. A closer examination, however, reveals the inference that he positioned himself among the believers who had the potential for harm from those opposing religious views.

Other quotes that illustrate my point are:

"I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just."

"Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one." This also demonstrates two points:

1. A belief in God and the practice of religion.

2. A defensiveness toward criticism for keeping his beliefs separate from his politics.

Perhaps the most negative comment by Jefferson concerning Christianity was, "I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."

The adjective "orthodox" is key to interpreting Jefferson's meaning here. Those establishing orthodoxy of his time included the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Puritans. All three, at that time, lacked much to be desired. The most famous Puritan sermon was John Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". I dare say that I would agree with all of the above Jefferson quotes and identify with their perspective.

As for Franklin, he clearly brought Deistic ideas with him back from Bohemian Paris, and his personal moral fiber was the subject of much rumor. Nevertheless, it is also well documented that he was substantially impacted by the Great Awakening evangelist George Whitfield, and was a substantial financial supporter of his ministry. We have no known record of his "conversion", an occurrence of which our modern Protestant view was substantially shaped by the late 1800's evangelist Charles Finney. I have no idea whether Franklin was born again, but he admittedly had questions and likely had some "issues".

As for John Adams, well, I'll let him speak for himself:

“The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and the attributes of God.” [June 28, 1813; Letter to Thomas Jefferson]

“We recognize no Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!” [April 18, 1775, on the eve of the Revolutionary War after a British major ordered John Adams, John Hancock, and those with them to disperse in “the name of George the Sovereign King of England." ]

• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” [letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress]

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798

"I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson

"Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell." [John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1817]

There has been a sordid attempt by a predominant sect of academia to re-write history to support a "secular progressive" agenda. Facts are immaterial to such people.

[Brugmansian]

Jefferson made the same type of excuses for the French Revolution we see liberals today make for the horrors of communism. He mouthed off a lot but he was no friend of liberty (his endorsement of Shay’s rebellion, a direct attack on property rights, is exhibit #A).

[j.argese]

Might be a tangent but is there any truth to the legend of Washington’s death bed conversion to the R.C church?

[pnh102]

Bookmark for later reading.

[DBCJR]

I have never heard that before. I do know that he read his Bible and prayed each morning for an hour. He sought Divine guidence often.

[j.argese]

Yeah, it’s sort of like an historical rumor. Some sources claim he did so and others claim it’s speculation or absolutely incorrect. I thought you have come across something in your research.
Thanks again.

[DBCJR]

A very quick Google search seems to indicate that, while highly suspect and controversial, there is a strong rumor to that effect that seems to corroborate itself due to the length of its existence, i.e., one ancient rumor sources another, which sources another.

I can see two possibilities that would make sense:

1) Given reaction to the Church of England the Roman Catholic Church might have some appeal to this General and first President. Certainly, the alliance with France did not hurt and the support of the Vatican was often a political ploy of European history. He may well have been drawn in that direction as a devout Christian and baptized into the Church of England as a child.

2) Roman Catholics who came to this land to escape persecution , now experiencing some forms of it in the Protestant Great Awakening, might have much to gain by fostering a rumor that George Washington converted.