A group blog to promote discussion, debate and insight into the history, particularly religious, of America's founding. Any observations, questions, or comments relating to the blog's theme are welcomed.
Darryl G. Hart On If George Washington Is Orthodox, What About Barack Obama?
Here. Outstanding post. Barack Obama's words are far far more explicitly "orthodox Christian" than George Washington's were. If we do a Lillback to Obama, we could make him look like a conservative evangelical.
We have extensive writings by Washington and Franklin from different times in their lives. People from all pespectives can find something in these famous Americans’ writings to support their particular agenda. The Founding Fathers were not generally hostile toward religion, and because they lived in a predominantly Christian society, their discussion of religion is expressed in Chrstian terms. But my understanding is that their deepest commitment – in general – was toward the principle of religious liberty. They recognized that the best thing that government could do for religion was to stay out of the religion business.
But my understanding is that their deepest commitment – in general – was toward the principle of religious liberty. They recognized that the best thing that government could do for religion was to stay out of the religion business.
4 comments:
We have extensive writings by Washington and Franklin from different times in their lives. People from all pespectives can find something in these famous Americans’ writings to support their particular agenda. The Founding Fathers were not generally hostile toward religion, and because they lived in a predominantly Christian society, their discussion of religion is expressed in Chrstian terms. But my understanding is that their deepest commitment – in general – was toward the principle of religious liberty. They recognized that the best thing that government could do for religion was to stay out of the religion business.
Paul,
I think you are right.
But my understanding is that their deepest commitment – in general – was toward the principle of religious liberty. They recognized that the best thing that government could do for religion was to stay out of the religion business.
That would be an oversimplification.
FYI - A good book on Obama's religious beliefs is "The Faith of Barack Obama" by Stephen Mansfield.
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