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Our nation's strength springs from founders' Christian principles
Bucks Country Courier Times ^ | March 14, 2002 | BOB SCHEUER

Posted on 03/15/2002 11:03:09 AM PST by 2banana

Our nation's strength springs from founders' Christian principles

Research shows that 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians, and 27 had a theological education.

By BOB SCHEUER

In response to Bill O'Neill's Guest Opinion that our country was not founded as a religious nation, I would like to apply some facts from our nation's history.

Mr. O'Neill claims that we who believe that this country was founded on Christian principles are "wrong." While he is entitled to his opinion, consider some of the facts. Research shows that 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians, and 27 had a theological education. These men went on to establish more than 100 Bible societies.

Patrick Henry said, "It cannot be said too often or too loudly, that America was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, and not upon religion, but upon the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

If, as Mr. O'Neill states, "the Constitution . . . bans prayer in public schoolrooms," why did we take 175 years to figure that out and remove prayer in 1962?

It is often said that we don't really know the intent of the founding fathers. I beg to differ. Gouveneur Morris was the apparent author of the Constitution, a signer of it, and the most active voice at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 (speaking 173 times). In his commentaries of 1790 and 1791, Morris wrote, "Religion is the only solid basis of good morals. Therefore, education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man toward God."

Fisher Ames, the author of the First Amendment, wrote in 1801 that it would be a grave mistake to let the Bible out of the public schools.

It is not just the founders who supported Christian principles. Each branch of our government held to them. Consider the Trinity decision of the Supreme Court in 1892. After 10 years of examining hundreds of documents on the foundation of the country, they came to a unanimous decision, saying the documents "add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a religious people, a Christian nation."

Mr. O'Neill concludes that religion and government "must be free from each other lest they destroy each other." Here's what George Washington thought about the subject: "True religion offers the government its surest support."

President John Adams, another founder, said: "Our Constitution is for a moral and religious people." President John Quincy Adams said: "The highest glory of the American Revolution was that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."

President Thomas Jefferson held another job at the time he was president. He was the superintendent of schools in Washington, D.C. He required only two books to be taught in the schools: The Holy Bible and Watts' Hymnal (any Christian principles in those books?).

The first session of Congress in September of 1774 began with three hours of prayer (I wonder to whom they were praying?). The day after the Bill of Rights was passed in 1789, Congress voted to have a "day of thanksgiving and praise unto almighty God."

The House Judiciary Committee in 1854 was asked to remove religion from public affairs. After investigating for one year, the committee concluded that at the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the Amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, but not any one denomination. In this age, they said, there can be no substitute for Christianity. Benjamin Franklin, often thought of as one of the least religious founding fathers, said, "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men."

Mr. O'Neill claims that "the Constitution bans religion from all government rooms." On the contrary; government was banned from religion. That is, the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a national religion. The reason people left England was that the king was telling them how to worship God, and forcing them into a particular denomination.

Mr. O'Neill bases his opinion on a small portion of Article 6. Here is the full paragraph, including the first half which Mr. O'Neill omitted:

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." There is nothing about a "ban" on religious activity, but rather a prevention from religion as being a requirement in holding public office.

After looking at some of the facts, and not just spouting opinion, it is more than clear that this great country was indeed founded by Christian men who believed the Christian principles they held would be the strength of this new country.

Mr. O'Neill was listed in his Guest Opinion as a "student of constitutional law." I pray that he will continue to study until he actually comes across some facts.

If you take time to research the actual historic record, you will find that the evidence is not only overwhelming, but conclusive, that the United States of America was founded by Christian men on Christian principles.

Bob Scheuer, Newtown, is a retired specialty food salesman and is currently a stay-at-home dad. Thursday, March 14, 2002


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism
KEYWORDS: christian; constitution; foundingfathers
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To: alnick
More.

In the political documents, correspondence, and other writings of Washington, few references to the prevailing religion of his day are found. In no instance has he expressed a disbelief in the Christian religion, neither can there be found in all his writings a single sentence that can with propriety be construed into an acknowledgment of its claims. Once or twice he refers to it in complimentary terms, but in these compliments there is nothing inconsistent with the conduct of a conscientious Deist. Religions, like their adherents, possess both good and bad qualities, and Christianity is no exception. While there is much in it deserving the strongest condemnation, there is also much that commands the respect and even challenges the admiration of Infidels. Occupying the position that Washington did, enjoying as he did the confidence and support of Christians, it was not unnatural that he should indulge in a few friendly allusions to their religious faith.

In his "Farewell Address," the last and best political paper he gave to the Christian religion is not once named. In this work he manifests the fondest solicitude for the future of his country. His sentences are crowded with words of warning and fatherly advice. But he does not seem to be impressed with the idea that the safety of the government or the happiness of the people depends upon Christianity. He recommends a cultivation of the religious sentiment, but evinces no partiality for the popular faith.

It would appear that we'll never know if Washington was a Christian or not. But, do you not find it somewhat strange that, if he was a Christian, he never declared so (even on his deathbed)? From my experience, people of faith tend not to be so secretive about their beliefs...<

41 posted on 03/15/2002 12:33:08 PM PST by RoughDobermann
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To: RoughDobermann
"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world"
John 4:4
This is my last post (gotta get back to work) . . . it's been a blessing witnessing to you. LOL
<><
42 posted on 03/15/2002 12:34:35 PM PST by w_over_w
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To: 2banana
Our nation's strength springs from founders' Christian principles

BINGO!

43 posted on 03/15/2002 12:40:32 PM PST by Smile-n-Win
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To: jimt
The qualifications you cite are correct. But, they are differintiations and not supporters of your conclusion:
Our nation's strength springs from freedom, and respect for individual rights.

While good generalities it would be equally true that the American Revolution and resulting independent nation sprang from preservation of The Rights of Englishmen, which to the overwhelming Whiggish tendancies of the colonists meant freedom from Arbitrary Power (as execised by the democratic instituion of Parliment) and the established Common Law (which dealt with Presciptive Law and not metaphysical rights).

Now I am not responding to you to claim that we are "a Christian Nation", but instead to share with you that my readings in history have lead me to believe that the assesment made by the article of this thread is not very far off the mark. The big question is, if we were so profoundly a nation brought into being by our Christian heritage, coupled with the Judeac underpinnings, what does that mean for us today in analyzing where our nation has had some obvious wrong turns in the march to the brink of world socialism?

One place to start to answer that question is in Michael Novak's recent book On Two Wings : Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding . Novak makes no belittlement of the Common Sense wing and does a fine job of showing the background of Madison defending the Baptists and the other things going on at the time that preserved the secular nature of our Constitution.

Kirk's first principle for Conservatism was the belief in an Enduring Moral Order. Sowell's belief (in A conflict of Visions) that the believers in the Constrained view of man hold the same issue central also affirms this. Conservatives want no Test Law....but we do want an shared understanding that without a common acceptance of a general Enduring Moral Order we are left standing defenseless against the onslaught of the Enlightenment Metaphysics right down through Marx and Choamsky of today.

In an age where every socialist talks more of various "rights" than any libertarian leaning conservative, we can only get Rights correctly confined back to 'individual rights' if the historical foundations of their value and there moral (and Christian) origination can be understood by all the citizenry.

44 posted on 03/15/2002 12:44:55 PM PST by KC Burke
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To: RoughDobermann
From the article that started this thread, "Here's what George Washington thought about the subject: 'True religion offers the government its surest support.'" Now, I don't have a citation for that other than the original article, but there's nothing in what you cited that indicates that GW was not a Christian.

Because someone who compiled a report claims that he can find no reference to GW declaring himself Christian is proof of nothing other than what this person could not find. Most Christians probably do openly declare their Christianity, but many don't, or don't do it so often that there would be references of it from his contemporaries or in correspondence, etc.

As I said earlier, the fact that Washington championed the cause of freedom from religious intolerance and compulsion is certainly not indicative that the man was not a Christian. In fact, many (probably most) Christians feel the same way.

When John Murray (a universalist who denied the existence of hell) was invited to become an army chaplain, the other chaplains petitioned Washington for his dismissal. Instead, Washington gave him the appointment.

So? That doesn't mean that GW was not a Christian. Many Christians do believe in Hell, but believing or not believing in Hell is not what makes one a Christian, and certainly being tolerant of someone who does not believe that Hell exists does not make one non-Christian.

On his deathbed, Washington uttered no words of a religious nature and did not call for a clergyman to be in attendance.

Do you think that every Christian who ever lived has uttered words of a religious nature and/or called for a clergyman to be in attendance on their death beds?

45 posted on 03/15/2002 12:56:22 PM PST by alnick
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To: RoughDobermann
From your own post, "In no instance has he expressed a disbelief in the Christian religion."

And no, I don't find it strange. Some people are more introspective about their faith than others.

What I see is some people trying to make something out of nothing.

46 posted on 03/15/2002 1:05:02 PM PST by alnick
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To: KC Burke
In an age where every socialist talks more of various "rights" than any libertarian leaning conservative, we can only get Rights correctly confined back to 'individual rights' if the historical foundations of their value and there moral (and Christian) origination can be understood by all the citizenry.

I agree with your statement. The rights as defined don't conflict with Christianity, they support it. But they are arguably moral without reference to religion.

47 posted on 03/15/2002 1:07:59 PM PST by jimt
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To: jimt
Agreed and thanks for your generous meeting of me half way.

You mention:
But they are arguably moral without reference to religion.
and I would agree if we are careful not to only underpin them with metaphysical construct but to also use virtue, order and good old common sense, a distinction Novak makes much better than I.

All branches of Conservatism from Libertarian to Paeleo share one simple group of goals, they just see them in a different order as Storm Orphan and I used to agree. Libertarians see Freedom ==> Order ==> Virtue, while traditionalists see Virtue ==> Order ==> Freedom. All the factions have those amongst them that see government far too much used in facilitating the Order part, when it really should be a product of each of us brought about by Freedom and Virtue.

Thanks again.

48 posted on 03/15/2002 1:24:51 PM PST by KC Burke
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To: RoughDobermann
Right. That's just what I said.
49 posted on 03/15/2002 1:32:41 PM PST by Arthur McGowan
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To: Jefferson Adams
Jesus of Nazareth was conceived in the womb of Mary about 2,000 years ago. Jesus of Nazareth did not exist when the universe was made. The Second Person of the Trinity, who, when he became flesh, and thus was (and remains) Jesus, has always existed.
50 posted on 03/15/2002 1:36:47 PM PST by Arthur McGowan
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To: jimt
I never said anything different from what you just said. The federal government is not Christian, or religious. But that fact was never intended by the Founders as the first shot in a war to extirpate Christianity from North America, which is precisely how the ACLU sees it.
51 posted on 03/15/2002 1:41:28 PM PST by Arthur McGowan
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To: Arthur McGowan; ALL
There is no doubt that most, but not all, of the Founders were Christians. There is equally no doubt that some of the Founders were Deists, and that all of them, whether Christian or Deist, were strongly influenced by 18th century Enlightenment thinking.

Beyond that it gets murky, because the Founders, whatever else they were, were also politicians. Many of them-- Jefferson is a great example, but it's also true to a degree of Washington, Adams, Madison, and most of the others-- acted very Christian when they were up for re-election, and vet skeptical when they were writing private letters and diaries. These debates often come down to selective quote-mining by both sides.

52 posted on 03/15/2002 1:47:04 PM PST by Lurking Libertarian
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To: 4ConservativeJustices
Bump--BUMP!!!!!!!!! LOL--YES!
53 posted on 03/15/2002 2:09:04 PM PST by Ff--150
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To: 2banana
Mr. O'Neill claims that we who believe that this country was founded on Christian principles are "wrong." While he is entitled to his opinion, consider some of the facts. Research shows that 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians,

As was pointed out to me by an alert Freeper, the signers of the Declaration of Independence are NOT considered to be Founding Fathers. It's the signers of the Constitution that are considered to be Founding Fathers. (Look it up in a dictionary.) But you used the small "f" "founders"...and

This is a bit of an academic point...I have no doubt that most of the men who signed the Constitution were also Christian. But the fact that they were Christian does NOT necessarily mean that they intended to "found" the country on "Christian principles." (By the way, you'll have to define what you mean by "Christian principles" by the way. Jesus said very clearly that if one is struck on the cheek, that one should then turn the other cheek, to allow that also to be struck. Is that one of the "Christian principles" upon which the U.S. was "founded"? Or was the U.S. only founded upon the Christian principles that are acceptable to modern-day conservatives?)

Gouveneur Morris was the apparent author of the Constitution,...

Most history books accord James Madison the honor of "Father of the Constitution." (However, it was almost certainly a group effort.)

It is not just the founders who supported Christian principles.

There is a HUGE difference between saying that the United States was "FOUNDED" upon Christian principles, and saying that the founders "SUPPORTED" Christian principles.

Benjamin Franklin (one of 6 signers of both the Constitution AND Declaration of Independence) was most certainly NOT a Christian. Only one month before he died he questioned the divinity of Jesus--which is pretty central to Christianity!!

Thomas Jefferson (principal writer of the Declaration of Independence...invited to the Constitutional Convention, but in France at the time) throughout his life also denied the divinity of Jesus. In fact, he "edited" the Bible to remove ALL references to miracles, including the Resurrection. So Jefferson was a Christian ONLY if one who denies the Resurrection and the divinity of Jesus can be a Christian. Can a Christian deny the divinity of Jesus?

So these two very important men in the founding of our country weren't Christians (unless, again, one can be a Christian even if one questions or denies the divinity of Jesus).

But that's NOT important in deciding whether the U.S. was "founded on Christian principles." To answer that question, one might look at the Treaty of Friendship and Peace with Tripoli, UNAMIMOUSLY signed approved by Senate (in 1796...a mere 20 years after the Declaration of Independence, and a mere 9 years after the Constitution), and signed into law by John Adams (signer of the Declaration of Independence, and second President of the United States):

"As the government of the United States of America is NOT IN ANY SENSE FOUNDED ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION (emphasis added :-)) - as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen (modern translation: Muslims)..."

U.S. not founded on the Christian religion, according to U.S. Congress of 1796

THAT makes it pretty clear--to me, at least--that the Congress of the United States, only approximately 9 years after the signing of the Constitution, was convinced that the U.S. was NOT "founded on the Christian religion."

Mark (personal opinion of Jesus--->good man, probably not divine)

54 posted on 03/15/2002 2:12:12 PM PST by Mark Bahner
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To: 2banana
FORCE them to vote, knowing that AMERICA is watching.. so often we let them get away with things because they are counting on the fact that so many Americans THINK they are wasting their time...

We MUST not give up on this.... Keep the pressure on YOUR Senators to bring this vote to the FLOOR for a vote by the FULL senate !!!

DO NOT allow Sen. Leheay and his fellow LIBERALS on the Judiciary Committee to prevent this vote from going to the floor!!!

Advise and consent means 100 Senators not 10 !!!

Sign PETITION to SUPPORT Judge Pickering...

55 posted on 03/15/2002 2:19:01 PM PST by davidosborne
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To: freeeee
At least you'd finally be consistent.

I've debated many atheists/agnostics/objectivists/etc. on this forum - all of them asserting a foundation for morality without God, and all of them using religious principles as the foundation for their morality.

No doubt you're part of the same crowd, crowing about "rights", and "property" and the "rule of law", that violence is "wrong" .. and you build your system on these "axioms" that you've taken from religious systems. Without a god behind those "rules", they are merely the result of mob rule, and when the mob rules that your rape and robbery is "good", then it will be.

Morality without an authority higher than man is simply not workable.

56 posted on 03/15/2002 3:21:27 PM PST by watchin
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To: RoughDobermann
Please then explain this, written by George hisself:

"George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d dy of October, A.D. 1789.

(signed) G. Washington"

Does that sound like something written by other than a Christian? Really?

57 posted on 03/15/2002 7:14:59 PM PST by Dynamo
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To: Dynamo
"Does that sound like something written by other than a Christian?"

There isn't a single mention of Jesus Christ in that whole passage. This may come as a shock to you Christians...but not everyone who believes in God is a Christian.

However, Washington regularly attended Christian church services. His granddaughter (who was very close to him) wrote that she had no doubt he was a Christian.

To my knowledge, he never said anything that led to any thought that he questioned the devinity of Jesus (as both Jefferson and Franklin clearly did).

So it seems reasonable to accept that he was a Christian.

58 posted on 03/15/2002 8:46:00 PM PST by Mark Bahner
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To: Mark Bahner
Washington's granddaughter was right... he was a Christian.

In his Proclamation (post #57) he refers specifically to both "Almighty God" and the "Lord and Ruler of nations." Only Christians understand the triune nature of God, and refer to both our "Lord" and our "God" interchangeably.

This may come as a shock to you Christians...but not everyone who believes in God is a Christian.

Actually, you might be surprised at how little shocks me any longer. Or any of "us Christians," for that matter. I am aware of deists and Bhuddists and Krishnas and Catholics and Wiccans, Muslims and Taoists and atheists. None of them surprise me, nor do I mistake them for Christians.

59 posted on 03/16/2002 9:13:13 AM PST by Dynamo
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To: freeeee
"Religion is the only solid basis of good morals." - Gouveneur Morris

Really? Wow, I had no idea. I'd better quit volunteering and start raping, robbing and pillaging.

I guess we'll have to concede this point to you, lest you turn violent. :-) PLS don't hold it against the good ol' guv'neur, though; after all, Libertarianism hadn't been invented when he said this.

And remember, there aren't only us Conservatives and you Libertarians; there also those nasty Liberals who are after our property, and then there are those undecideds who may become servants of God and abstain from force & fraud--or may become servants of the thieving Liberals!

60 posted on 03/16/2002 10:15:06 AM PST by Smile-n-Win
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