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washington

Washington letter on religious freedom to go public

After sitting in storage for nearly a decade, George Washington’s signature statement on religious liberty will go on display this summer in the city where freedom of religion was enshrined in the Constitution: Philadelphia.

America’s first president wrote the letter to a Jewish congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1790, assuring American Jews that their freedom of religion would be protected. The document will go on display this summer for the first time since 2002 in an exhibition at Philadelphia’s National Museum of American Jewish History.

For nine years, the letter has been kept out of public view, in storage at a sterile Maryland office park a few hundred feet from FedEx Field, where the Washington Redskins play. CNN took an inside look at the document in September.

But the Morris Morgenstern Foundation, which owns the letter, has agreed to put the historic document on public display, officials at the National Museum of American Jewish History said.

Continue reading at religion.blogs.cnn.com
 
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  • Deep_Thinker

    “The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion” – George Washington

    • agbjr

      Founded upon a specific religion and manner of worship? No and that is to what George Washington refers. However the United States of America IS founded upon the basic principles of respect, fairness, and humanity inherent in all beliefs with Judeo-Christian roots.

      • Deep_Thinker

        Those traits are also found in most other religions.

        The golden rule is found in over 20!

        • Dionesius3

          The golden rule is found nowhere except in the teaching of Jesus Christ. There are "similar" pronouncements in other religions but they are in the negative case. For example confusius stated, "Do not do unto a man what you would not have done unto yourself." Seems similar but it is not, for Confusius is simply saying don't do bad things to other people. Whereas Christ said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Here we have a positive and active rule which demands action upon the part of the hearer and believer, whereas in the other we have a passive suggestion, which requires no thought or specific action on the part of the hearer and believer.

          The Golden rule was and is UNIQUE, it is the ONLY instance wherein the core of the intent is placed as an active and required action to be carried out by the followers.
          If you can't see that fact you are pitiful, blind, and naked, spiritually speaking.

          • Deep_Thinker

            Dionesisu3 says "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Here we have a positive and active rule which demands action upon the part of the hearer and believer, whereas in the other we have a passive suggestion, which requires no thought or specific action on the part of the hearer and believer. "

            Some faulty logic on your part:

            Actually, there is an implied negative in Jesus' words. Do unto others also implies do not do unto others that which you do not want done to yourself. Drive the car as a safe driver would, also implies, do not drive the car as an unsafe driver would.

            Furthermore, since you bring up Confusius, I'll quote him here also using your "positive" view:

            "Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence." Mencius VII.A.4"

          • Dionesius3

            Again your point being what?

            That you are both a moron, and unable to read and comprehend plain english?

            Talk about missing the point, you not only missed the point you showed up on the wrong day.

          • Deep_Thinker

            Your grasping straws…

          • Dionesius3

            Seeing as how you have NO grasp on anything that even approaches a "fact" it is painfully evident whom is "grasping" at straws.

        • daves

          I think that by declaring that these Jewish Americans were not in any danger of being persecuted in the U.S., President Washington was affirming that the States are also forbidden to be biased against anyone's right to worship as they please.

          • Dionesius3

            Wrong, each state could and did have an established State religion. In fact the state of New Jersey had one untill the 1920's.

    • http://www.missiontoisrael.org Ted R. Weiland

      George Washington did not say this. It comes from the Treaty of Triopli, signed into law (making it apart of the "supreme law of the land" as per Article 6) by President John Adams. So much for the Constitutional Republic being Christian or Biblically-based.

      Find out how much you really know about the Constitution as compared to Yahweh's moral law (His commandments, statutes, and judgments). Take our Constitution Survey at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/constitutionsurvey… and receive a free copy of the "Primer" (an 85 page book, normally $7 plus shipping) of "Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective."

    • Eric

      Please don't repeat historical errors that you find online. This quotation comes from the Treaty of Tripoli, not from George Washington. This Treaty was not approved and signed until after Washington left office, which means it was under John Adams presidency.

      I see no reason why Washington would not have signed it though, because it in no way means what secularists and humanists loudly proclaim it to mean. Here is the entire Article 11: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

      In other words, America was not a "Christian" nation, in the same way that the Barbary states were "Muslim" nations. The entire point was that the treaty was politically and ethically motivated, not religiously. Besides, if it was such common knowledge at that time that the U.S. was not a Christian nation, why would they feel compelled to even put this article in the treaty in the first place? Could it be because the Barbary states DID view the U.S. as a Christian nation and this article was meant to assure them that the treaty was political and not religious in nature?

      • http://www.missiontoisrael.org Ted R. Weiland

        Eric, please consider that the Treaty of Tripoli does not state that we were not a Christian nation, but hat the United States Constitutional Republic was not a Christian government.

        "Even David Barton admitted that the Treaty with Tripoli’s declaration is factual:

        ' …this is not an untrue statement since it is referring to the federal government [as opposed to 18th-century America in general]. Recall that while the Founders themselves openly described America as a Christian nation …, they did include a constitutional prohibition against a federal establishment [of any specific religion]….' (David Barton, Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, & Religion (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press, 4th Edition, 1st Printing, February 2005) p. 127.)

        "Professor Gary T. Amos, former law professor at Regent University and the author of Never Before in History and Defending the Declaration, two books regarding the influence of Christianity on America’s founding, agreed:

        'The treaty is nothing more than a pronouncement “that ‘the Christian religion’ as a formal institution was not a part of the American government….”' (Gary T. Amos, Defending the Declaration (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth and Hyatt, 1989) p. 9, quoted in Gary Demar, America’s History: The Untold Story (Powder Springs, GA: 1993 /2008) p. 135.)

        Excerpted from Chapter 9 "Article 6: The Supreme Law of the Land" of "Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspetive" at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/biblelaw-constitut….

        • Eric

          "Eric, please consider that the Treaty of Tripoli does not state that we were not a Christian nation, but hat the United States Constitutional Republic was not a Christian government. "

          Agreed and that is my point. The emphasis, as I read it in its entire context, is not to make some declaration to the world that the U.S. Constitution is a "secular" document, but as a specific indication to the Barbary states about what motivated the need for the Treaty. This was not "our God versus your God," as Muslim states are so quick to interpret everything, but a straightforward political treaty denouncing piracy in the Mediterranean seaways.

          • http://www.missiontoisrael.org Ted R. Weiland

            While I grant you that they MAY not have been declaring it a secular document, they certainly could not declare the government was Christian, when it's founding document was anti-Christian in Article 6 and otherwise antithetical, if not hostile, to Yahweh's morality and sovereignty in nearly every article and amendment.

          • Evermyrtle

            You are 100%. That second paragraph states who the Supreme being is,"The Law of The Land." Every citizen who swears by the Constitution as Christian, need to read this.

      • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

        Twenty-three Senators voted to ratify. In a very public way, they voted to say that "As the government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian Religion, . . ." the Muslims of Tripoli therefore need not fear a religious war from the U.S. The vote was recorded only because at least a fifth of the Senators present voted to require a recorded vote. This was the 339th time that a recorded vote was required. It was only the third time that a vote was recorded when the vote was unanimous! (The next time was to honor George Washington.)There is no record of any debate or dissension on the treaty.

        • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

          President Adams signed the treaty and proclaimed it to the nation on 10 June 1797. His statement on it was a bit unusual: "Now be it known, That I John Adams, President of the United States of America, having seen and considered the said Treaty do, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, accept, ratify, and confirm the same, and every clause and article thereof. And to the End that the said Treaty may be observed and performed with good Faith on the part of the United States, I have ordered the premises to be made public; And I do hereby enjoin and require all persons bearing office civil or military within the United States, and all other citizens or inhabitants thereof, faithfully to observe and fulfill the said Treaty and every clause and article thereof."

          What happened then? Did these politicians pay a heavy price? Umm, no: the treaty and Adams' statement was reprinted in full in three newspapers, two in Philadelphia and one in New York City. There is no record of any public outcry or complaint in subsequent editions of the papers.

          • M Green

            You know, it's strange to me that someone who is atheist and is constantly claiming that we Christians only see what we want to see, would in fact, do the very same thing. Everything you said here is true, BUT, you're also ignoring the rest of the history of the events and other supporting documents (such as our Founding Father's letters, declarations of fasting and prayers, and many other public speeches–and the actual reading of them, or the individual state constitutions which many of them made it illegal to hold a public office UNLESS they were Christian), and focusing only on the treaty itself. You also seem to have a hard time grasping that the government (read Congress) of the United States is NOT the states themselves as well as how limited Congress was in the early days. But, we've already had this conversation here before.

          • Glen S

            Who can blame Dixon? I don't often agree with Dixon. However, one thing is very true. The so called Christians on this and most other sites are guilty of using flawed logic, hateful language, and even ignorance of the very Word they claim to support.

            Many Christians on the internet give credence to the idea that a keyboard and internet connection allow the foolish to demonstrate just how foolish they are.

            Yes, Dixon is short sighted and often hateful; but so are many others on this site who actually claim to have a personal relationship with the Christ.

          • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

            Many of the Founders were Christians. However, they formed a secular government.

        • keyboardshark

          In 1816, John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." http://www.qotd.org/search/search.html?aid=1151

          And in 1892 in the Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States decision, the Supreme Court declared, after setting forth a lengthy list of Christian influences upon the civil institutions of the US, "These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation." http://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/143/45…

          And long before then, in 1620, the Mayflower Compact set forth the reason that the Pilgrims came to America: "Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid." http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/PrimarySources/Ma…

          The Tripoli Treaty was enacted for a very narrow purpose–to make peace with a Muslim nation. Those who wrote the treaty were simply reassuring the Muslims that, by signing the treaty, they were not in any way attempting to make the acceptance of Christianity a condition. Yes, it could have been worded differently, but it in no way sets forth a general principal about the founding of the U.S. as a whole.

          "That 1797 treaty was one of several that America negotiated with Muslim nations during America’s first War on Islamic Terror (1784-1816), [7] in which five Muslim countries were indiscriminately attacking the property and interests of what they called the “Christian” nations, including America. But America sought to ensure the Muslims that we were not like the ancient European Christian nations – that did not hate Muslims because of their religious faith. Thus, the full sentence in that treaty states:

          As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] . . . [8]
          That is, we were not one of the Christian nations that held an inherent hostility toward Muslims. (See our full article on the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli and America’s first War on Terror.)

          Furthermore, in 1805 under Jefferson, that treaty was renegotiated and the clause stating that “. . . the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion . . .” was deleted. [9]
          <a href="http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=105214          " target="_blank">http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=105214

          • Deep_Thinker

            James Madison "What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wish to subvert the public liberty may have found an established clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not."

            Benjamin Franklin "If we look back into history for the character of the present sects in Christianity, we shall find few that have not in their turns been persecutors, and complainers of persecution. The primitive Christians thought persecution extremely wrong in the Pagans, but practiced it on one another. The first Protestants of the Church of England blamed persecution in the Romish church, but practiced it upon the Puritans. These found it wrong in the Bishops, but fell into the same practice themselves both here [England] and in New England."

          • Dionesius3

            Deep Inhaler- you are so blind to context that it boarders on insanity. Read the quotes you just copied and pasted in their original context, and behold how it means almost exactly the opposite of what you are trying to portray here.

            Wake up from your slumber thou sluggard.

          • Deep_Thinker

            John Adams "The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.

          • Dionesius3

            Deep Inhaler- you are so blind to context that it boarders on insanity. Read the quotes you just copied and pasted in their original context, and behold how it means almost exactly the opposite of what you are trying to portray here.

            Wake up from your slumber thou sluggard.

          • Deep_Thinker

            I like how you throw out this grand idea (that the context I am using is wrong) but provide absolutely nothing other than your conviction that it is..

          • Dionesius3

            Deep Inhaler- I don't have to provide evidence I am not the one claiming some INSANE idea you are. ANYONE who reads the documents from which you have copied portions will see Prima facia evidence of your insanity.

            Wake up from your slumber thou sluggard.

          • Deep_Thinker

            ANYONE, except someone who so aptly demonstrates what Christianity is NOT about..

            Maybe you should go read your Bible, because ANYONE can clearly see you have some issues..

          • Dionesius3

            Looks like you need to read yours a little. Naw, make that alot.

    • jen

      Way to pick and choose
      Washington also said it is impossible to govern a nation without God and the Bible. But ignore that part. Its convenient that way

      • Deep_Thinker

        “This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it” – John Adams

        "Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies, may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history” – James Madison

        “In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.” – Thomas Jefferson

    • Dionesius3

      Deep Inhaler- You are without a doubt the worst waste of space on the planet. When you or Dixon speak one can rest assured that there will be nothing that even closely resembles intelligence, or thought about to proceed from you.

      You will find copied and pasted trash from all over the internet taken in and out of context and mismatched into some swill of Libertarian Humanism.

      Why on earth do you wish to show OVER AND OVER your stupidity?

      • daves

        Why do you choose to disobey Jesus and insult others?

        • Evermyrtle

          There is a lot of name calling and insults, many undeserved going on with the self righteous. Before we examine and deem others, as lost sinners, we need to take a good look at self, count our misdeeds for the last 24 hours,. If we can find nothing in thought, word or deed, we are not looking very hard, if we are faithful to being a Christian, we can realize we are not near as good as we think we are. One of the most foolish, ugly, unChristian things we can do, IN MY OPINION" is name calling.

        • Dionesius3

          Hahahahahahahahaha! That is the second dumbest statement I have ever seen on this site. Did you think that up yourself, or did some one tell it to you?
          You make me wonder what you mean when you write the word "Jesus".

          • daves

            "But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ WILL BE SENT to fiery hell."
            ~ Matthew 5:22

          • Dionesius3

            Good biblical quote there buddy, so what's your point? Do you think I am angry at you? And if you do your more silly than I first thought. I am not mad at you nor am I calling you a "fool" about your faith. Which is what that verse is about in context.
            I am calling you a fool for your beliefs about the Constitution. Because that is exactly what your views are, damned foolishness.
            It is a manifest miracle of God that this country even exists, if you had any knowledge beyond your public school education you would know this to be the truth. But sadly, you are blind to the truth, and unwilling to learn the truth. So by anyone's standards you are clearly a "fool" on this issue.

          • Evermyrtle

            This is a Christian blogging, you sure could hve fooled me????

          • Dionesius3

            What's wrong with laughter? And besides, what is so Un Christian about it?

    • Dionesius3

      Here is the quote Deep INHALER (Thinker) posted in it's proper context.

      "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion as it has in itself no character of enmity [hatred] against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] and as the said States [America] have never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." this is from ;
      Acts Passed at the First Session of the Fifth Congress of the United States of America (Philadelphia: William Ross, 1797), pp. 43-44.

    • Bill

      Got another lie to back that one up.

    • tbone

      In the real sense that God gives all human beings a free will to choose whom they will serve, The United States Constitution is as close to biblical Christianity as you get in this corrupt world. What do you want, a Theocracy like Iran?

  • Evermyrtle

    Reading the constitution, it seems that man is GOD and GOD is nowhere to be seen., my opinion, only.

    • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

      The Constitution is a secular document. That is one of its greatest strengths. After a bloody and costly civil war and the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment determined that citizens of the United States cannot have their rights abridged by state or local governments either, religious liberty for all was established. Governmental neutrality in matters of religion remains the enduring basis for that liberty.

      • Evermyrtle

        Jeff Article reads:

        Paragraph 2

        This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, Under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every Sate shall be bound there by, any Thing in the Constitution of Laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

        You can see that this Constitution, " shall be the supreme Law of the Land," this article, not GOD or GOD'S WORD shall be the supreme Law

        • Dionesius3

          Ever, You are exemplifying exactly what Eph. 4:14-16 speaks of;
          "14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."NASB
          You are letting yourself be carried away by "every wind of doctrine" that comes along. Paragraph 2 does not establish that God's law is void or null. It simply establishes that the Federal Law as laid out in the Constitution shall be the Law of the Land. I.E. no forieng powers could come over here with a group of people and set up a town and that town be under the laws and jurisdiction of a monarch, king or ruler.
          It is NOT an attack on the Christian faith, it is a barrier to keep out kings, despots, and thugs. Honestly hoow could you or anyone else think that this is an attack on Christ or the church

          • Evermyrtle

            No, I don't be swept by anything, but my GOD and my SAVIOR. I will follow them anywhere they lead. It is your right to believe whatever you choose about the Constitution, as it is mine. I have not seen GOD'S name mentioned or indicated in the entire thing. Why is that if they were so dedicated?

          • Dionesius3

            Because they were not establishing a National Church, they were laying the foundation of a nation. One which was TOTALLY different from ANY nation before or since. They knew that to directly insert God or their own personal beliefs would alienate rather than draw together the people. They wanted a nation of freedom from kings, monarchy, aristocracy, and Federal Government mandated religion. Study a bit, but not modern revisionist trash, but the very words, documents, addresses, letters, and diaries of these great men.
            If you do you will find how silly your arguments are and perhaps you will gain a little insight into what "Christianity" is about as well.

          • Evermyrtle

            If they had really put GOD first, we may not be having the problems that we are having today. GOD is alive and well, HE is the MASTER, weather we like it or not. What were they afraid of, if what you are saying is true, why didn't they say so? IT IS NOT THE PERFECT DOCUMENT THAT SOME SEEM TO THINK IT IS. IF IT WERE IT WOULD NOT BE VANISHING, RIPPED AND TORN APART, AS I WRITE THIS.

            GOD SAID, HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY BUT MY WORD SHALL NOT PASS AWAY. THE EVIL IN MANKIND HAS BEEN STRIVING FOR THOUSANDS TO DESTROY IT, IT REMAINS INTACT NOT A WORD HAS BEEN DESTROYED!!.

          • Dionesius3

            You are letting yourself be carried away by "every wind of doctrine" that comes along. Paragraph 2 does not establish that God's law is void or null. It simply establishes that the Federal Law as laid out in the Constitution shall be the Law of the Land. I.E. no forieng powers could come over here with a group of people and set up a town and that town be under the laws and jurisdiction of a monarch, king or ruler.
            It is NOT an attack on the Christian faith, it is a barrier to keep out kings, despots, and thugs. Honestly hoow could you or anyone else think that this is an attack on Christ or the church

          • Evermyrtle

            When I get carried away it will be with JESUS CHRIST. I do not float around grabbing at ideas. I do change my mind occasionly, if a point can be proved, otherwise I stick to my guns. Public opinion on does not sway me, neither does political correctness

          • Dionesius3

            Neither does evident fact, when one is UNWILLING to educate themselves on an issue before speaking.

          • Deep_Thinker

            Or, as you demonstrate, when one is unwilling to speak as if he has an education….

          • Dionesius3

            Deep Inhaler- you are so blind to context that it boarders on insanity. Read the quotes you just copied and pasted in their original context, and behold how it means almost exactly the opposite of what you are trying to portray here. __Wake up from your slumber thou sluggard.

          • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

            Of course the Constitution is not a perfect document. However, it has allowed for the formation of the strongest country in the history of the world.

        • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

          The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

    • Dionesius3

      Evermyrtle, you are so far off the mark that it could be said without irony, "you are not even in the same ballpark". Do some real research into history and the Constitution. It is FILLED with Christian principle, and the "fingerprint" of God is everywhere. If you are so blind that you can't see that, then you REALLY need some help.

      • Evermyrtle

        Have you read the constitution in it's entirety?? Do that and get back to me. Thanks!

        I cannot even understand everything it is saying but I do understand it is putting Man not GOD, at the 'HELM'

        • Dionesius3

          Ever, you are way out in left field, the whole document is drenched in Christian principle. Read some of Washington's own addresses, his letters, his diary, and see how very Godly and Christian the man was.

          • Evermyrtle

            If you are a Christian you should not be lying, "The Constitution is drenched with Christian principle." It is "drenched with man's pride, glory in his power, and faith in himself!"

          • Deep_Thinker

            How Christian was he?

            After George Washington's death, Christians made an intense effort to claim him as one of their own. This effort was based largely on the grounds that Washington had regularly attended services with his wife at an Episcopal Church and had served as a vestryman in the church. On August 13, 1835, a Colonel Mercer, involved in the effort, wrote to Bishop William White, who had been one of the rectors at the church Washington had attended. In the letter, Mercer asked if "Washington was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, or whether he occasionally went to the communion only, or if ever he did so at all…" (John Remsberg, Six Historic Americans, p. 103). On August 15, 1835, White sent Mercer this reply

            In regard to the subject of your inquiry, truth requires me to say that Gen. Washington never received the communion in the churches of which I am the parochial minister. Mrs. Washington was an habitual communicant…. I have been written to by many on that point, and have been obliged to answer them as I now do you (Remsberg, p. 104).

          • Dionesius3

            And your point is What?

            Oh that's right you have no point because you have no brain.

            Too busy trying to legalize dope smoking to worry about thinking.

          • Deep_Thinker

            Is this what lethargic little boys like yourself do all day? Insult others viewpoints because you have no good arguments against them?

            Live in your little bubble of happiness that is built on how you can make others feel worse than your own pathetic life makes you feel??

            If you have anything interesting to say, say it, otherwise do us all a favor and shutup, as your degrading our ability to practice free speech.

          • Dionesius3

            Deep Inhaler- You are the boy in a mans discussion and you have come both unarmed and unprepared. I don't have to provide evidence I am not the one claiming some INSANE idea you are. ANYONE who reads the documents from which you have copied portions will see Prima facia evidence of your insanity.

            Wake up from your slumber thou sluggard.

  • http://brendankellylpnh.com Brendan Kelly

    The problem we face is that this country was founded under the rule of God not any particular religion. Our path has led us on a direction where the rule of man has made in roads to the destruction of the rule of God because there is nothing in the rule of God for politicians to steal as theft is not allowed under gods rules.

    • Diana

      Hi Brendan,

      Thank you for this statement. You are exactly right and it is a shame that so many U.S. Citizens do not realize or understand this.

    • dely

      You are right on. The world is so corrupt and it's all about greed. The family is gone along with GOD and the Lord Jesus Christ. In the bible it says that man must work by the sweat of his brow, but today everyone wants something for nothing. What is going on in the world today is evil, something is not right. Remember Satan is the ruler on earth. God is the master of the universe for all eternity.

  • http://www.missiontoisrael.org Ted R. Weiland

    "After sitting in storage for nearly a decade, George Washington’s signature statement on religious liberty will go on display this summer in the city where freedom of religion was enshrined in the Constitution: Philadelphia."

    Do not overlook the First Amendment's provision for freedom of religion enabled polytheism (the worship of any and all gods other than Yahweh, the God of the Bible) to thrive in this country. It was therefore an unequivocal breach of the First Commandment.

    For more, see Chapter 11 "Amendment 1: Government-Sanctioned Polytheism" of "Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective" at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/biblelaw-constitut….

  • Vladimir

    And Ted R. Weiland's crusade against the United States Constitution continues. Getting any patriotic Americans to donate to your cause, Ted? There are enemies foreign and domestic and you, Ted, are a domestic enemy.

    • http://www.missiontoisrael.org Ted R. Weiland

      Vladimir, you claim to be a Christian (of course, being a Mormon, you're not) and yet seem to be unconcerned that Amendment 1 is violation of having no other gods before Yahweh. Oh, I forgot, the First Commandment has never meant anything to you since Mormons believe in many gods – one of which, will be you with your own planet to pro-create on with many wives. What was I thinking!

      • Vladimir

        Your attempt to divert attention from being exposed as an anti-American radical is not even worthy of a high school sophomore.

        Who is your backer? Why are you so persistent in attacking the U. S. Constitution, the document that guarantees our freedoms? This can't be a big money maker for your "ministry". Is George Soros your employer?

        The domestic enemies of this country know that the U.S. Constitution stands in the way of their mission to destroy what we have and take over our country.

        I don't think you are fooling the patriots on this site.

  • Rob

    The following link is a good read for those who would like to explore the entirety of President Washingtin's statement above, as posted by Deep_Thinker, whose post I appreciate, but needed further clarification.
    http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=125

  • Dionesius3

    Here is the quote Deep INHALER (Thinker) posted in it's proper context.

    "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion as it has in itself no character of enmity [hatred] against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] and as the said States [America] have never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." this is from ;
    Acts Passed at the First Session of the Fifth Congress of the United States of America (Philadelphia: William Ross, 1797), pp. 43-44.

    • keyboardshark

      Exactly right, Dionesius3. The treaty was enacted for a very narrow purpose, and further, when the treaty was renegotiated in 1805 under Jefferson, the clause stating that “. . . the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion . . .” was deleted (see my reply above for reference).

  • Evermyrtle

    I am afraid we have been blinded all of these years about the Constitution, and what it says. How many of us have ever sit down and read the thing. , the articles, the amendments, in it's entirety?. We need to, all of of sit down with clear minds, and nothing to distract our attention, and read it, before we proclaim it's "purity, GODLY contents," and get some surprises!!

    • Dionesius3

      I have read it thousands of times, and there are no surprises. And the men who helped shape and form the document were among the greatest legal, moral, and upright minds who have ever lived upon the face of the earth. They were not perfect, they were just men, but oh how the world needs men like them today.

      • Evermyrtle

        VI 2nd paragraph
        ……………and all Treaties made, or which shall be made under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land………………………………………..

        supreme: holding the highest place in rank or authority, last, final.

        To me GOD is the highest place in rank or authority, there is none ahead of Him, Constitution, King or anything or anybody on earth.

        • Vladimir

          Evermyrtle, you are coming across as an emptyheaded disciple of Weiland. The Constitution is a temporal document intended to protect the citizens from government. It does this by enumerating the powers of the government and prohibiting the government from doing certain things. It is the best document of its kind in existance. It is also an impediment to those who would seize power and destroy our way of life.

          Weiland and his kind will do anything to destroy the Constitution by denigrating it in the minds of ignorant citizens. Don't be one of them.

          • Evermyrtle

            I should be coming across as a dedicated Christian! One who will stand strong for HIM under any stress or disapproval,anti-GOD barbs or hate and strive to abide by HIS WORD..

          • Dionesius3

            The Constitution was never intended to be God's word, it was meant to establish the framework of the most prosperous nation in the history of the world. It was a document forged in the furnace of European religious wars, and based largely on English common Law, and the works of many great legal minds of the past. It was made as neutral as possible in order to remove any opposition from Churches. It contained the Bill of Rights because of the protests of the Baptists, and it was interpreted correctly by the Supreme Court till the Civil War. Since then it has gradually been re-interpreted and mis-interpreted by successive courts.
            And our legislative branch, as well as the executive branch, has been either complacent or complicit in the damage being done.
            America is not a theocracy, thank God, if it were we would not be anywhere near as great a nation as we are today. If you desire a theocracy then go establish one and we will see just how long that will last.
            As for me, I will labor to inform and reform the single greatest nation that has ever existed.

          • Evermyrtle

            For many years it was exactly that, because the majority of the people were Christians. As we have drifted away from GOD HE is allowing us to rule against HIM, We have become a nation of heathens and HE has taken HIS help away from us to a degree. He still is here looking out for the people who are left and chose to to live as Christian and to follow HIS commandments. We are putting man's laws ahead of GOD'S laws.

            How long has it been since our country made one of HIS commandments illegal. One of these commandment which has been made illegal is, "Thou shall not kill." If we sit back we can think of all kinds that our country has done against GOD commandments and we are not breaking the law when we break the commandment.

            America must wake up and take a look at herself.

          • Dionesius3

            No America is not a theocracy, if it were it would do exactly what you state. But if it did it would also purge and persecute all who are not "Christians" and guess who gets to decide who is or is not a Christian in a theocracy ? The government. Now how well do you think that is going to turn out Ever, do you want the government deciding whom is or is not a Christian?

            I don't, I much prefer the system as it was established by our founding fathers, they knew what they were doing. They were intellectual giants compared to us today, and the system they established will still work today. All that is necessary is for the people to rise up and hold the government accountable for their actions and reverse about 75 years of liberal activism which has eroded the basic foundational principles that our nation was built upon.

            America has been, and can be again, the greatest nation on the face of the earth, if people like you don't start educating yourself on the real principles of our nation, America has no hope of survival.

        • Dionesius3

          Because they were not establishing a National Church, they were laying the foundation of a nation. One which was TOTALLY different from ANY nation before or since. They knew that to directly insert God or their own personal beliefs would alienate rather than draw together the people. They wanted a nation of freedom from kings, monarchy, aristocracy, and Federal Government mandated religion. Study a bit, but not modern revisionist trash, but the very words, documents, addresses, letters, and diaries of these great men.
          If you do you will find how silly your arguments are and perhaps you will gain a little insight into what "Christianity" is about as well.

          • Evermyrtle

            And excluding GOD, who the country had to depend on, for as long as America lasted, and they had not a clue. do you wonder whey we are in such a mess now economically and morally?

          • Dionesius3

            Ever, you are babbling now, and quite incoherently at that. Please go look at the documents I suggested to you earlier and read the actual words of the men who framed the document and our nation. If you do so you will not say the silly things you are now saying. I like you, although I don't agree with your Biblical interpretations most of the time, and I think you must be someone who reads often, so please just try reading something that Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, et al wrote. Some were not Christians, but ALL lived by and practiced CHRISTIAN MORALITY without fail. And a full 70% of the founding fathers were Real Christians.

          • eVERMYRTLE

            Heavens, I was under the illusion that YOU were a Christian!

          • Dionesius3

            What makes you question my faith? The fact that I know something about history, law, political science, Scripture, logic, and our founding fathers? Or could it be the fact that I have shown conclusively that your view on the topic is inconsistent with the facts? I am just curious as to why you would question my faith when I have never questioned your faith. It seems a bit…

  • lambsev

    In that our federal government is forbidden by the first amendment to make laws respecting the establishment of religion, religion remains free to influence the government to whatever extent it may do so without violating the other constitutional rights of citizens. That is why the unbelieving want to "separate" the church, christians and christian faith and any reference to Christ from the "state." They hate Christ that much.

  • lambsev

    THE LETTER

    [Newport, R.I., 18 August 1790]

    Gentlemen.

    While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, [1] from all classes of Citizens.

    The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and a happy people.

    The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

    It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.

    Go: Washington

  • msjallen

    We are a secular nation with many Christians and people of different religious beliefs but we are not a Christian nation even though our founding fathers used Biblical principles in setting up our government. However, we are a Client Nation for God. A Client Nation is assigned the responsibility for the formation, preservation, communication and fulfillment of the Canon of Scripture. Even though our Nation was built on Biblical principles that most Christians today know nothing about; it is not ALL Christian. Also, Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we were a Christian Nation we would NOT allow other religions to exist here just like the Muslims do not allow Christianity to exist in their countries. It is not who is in power that matters; it has to do with Christians who are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and applying Biblical principles to their lives each day. Then our Nation will be cleansed from most of the evil that is upon us. How can we call this Nation a Christian nation when most Christians do not follow God’s mandates?