Originally posted by Kazan
Ulala: INCORRECT - the vast majority of America's founder fathers were *GASP* Atheists and Deists!
"under God" was added the pledge in 1954 - the origional pledge from the 1800s did not contain the reference
Same goes for money
Additionally - the founding fathers wanted to prevent government from meddling in religion and religion meddling in government - hence the 1st ammendment - this is for a variety of reasons including some of the colonies being founded by people who fled for religious persecution, and seeing the atrocities it [religious persecution] caused in the 'old world'
If you seriously thinkg most of the founding fathers were christians you're grossly misinformed
~~~ James Madison, FATHER of the U.S. Constitution: "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
~~~ Thomas Jefferson, 1781: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever"
~~~ George Washington: "You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention."
~~~ George Washington, October 3, 1789: "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 to humbly implore His protection and favor."
~~~ Samuel Adams: " Let...statesmen and patriots unite their endeavors to renovate the age by...educating their little boys and girls...and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system."
~~~ Benjamin Franklin: "History will also afford frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion...and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."
~~~ Benjamin Franklin, June 28, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention: "We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
~~~ Alexander Hamilton's dying words, July 12, 1804: "I have tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty; through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me."
Patrick Henry's Last Will & Testament, November 20, 1798: "This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed."
~~~ John Adams, 1756 (our 2nd President) -- "Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only Law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited... What a paradise would this region be!" ~~~
~~~ John Jay (original Chief-Justice U.S. Supreme Court) said it is the duty of all wise, free, and virtuous governments to help and encourage virtue and religion. He also said, "Only one adequate plan has ever appeared in the world, and that is the Christian dispensation."
~~~ John Quincy Adams: "The United States of America were no longer Colonies. They were an independent nation of Christians." ~~~
An early House Judiciary Committee affirmed: "Christianity ...was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants." ~~~ 97% of the founding fathers were practicing Christians and exercised their faith in public office, at work, at home, and had it taught to their children in their schools. ~~~
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here's one i didn't know about before
[john] Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli (June 7, 1797). Article 11 states:
“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.”
As the Government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the law, religion or tranquility of Musselmen; and as the states never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mohometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinion shall ever produce an interruption of harmony existing between the two countries.
Please dont quote things out of contex....
