Did you know the Father of our Country set forth our countries sectarianism in the Treaty of Tripoli?

Question

"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 Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan 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."

George Washigton 1796/97

http://www.nobeliefs.com/Tripoli.htm

John 1:1 Like many Christians if you can't prove you're right you attack the person with the fact. Why more people are leaving Christianity than joining.

I Quote: The preliminary treaty began with a signing on 4 November, 1796 (the end of George Washington's last term as president).

Answer 1

TRUE!! This is NOT a Christian Nation.

Actually Adams signed the treaty.

Answer 2

John Adams while a Founder is not considered the "Father of our country" that distinction falls to George Washington who had nothing to do with the Treaty other than negotiations began under his last term of office.

The Treaty was written by Joel Barlow a diplomat. It was sent to Washington (DC not the President) during Adams' administration, approved by the Senate and signed by Adams.

This old chestnut is often rescued from obscurity by those wishing to prove the the USA was/is not a Christian Nation. It does not provide that proof it only provides proof of diplomatic schmoozing.

You might want to work on your reading comprehension before trying to run with the "Big Dogs."

Answer 3

Yeah. But, again, GW governed the nation with the Bible during his reign;

"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."-George Washington

Answer 4

The Treaty was in process during Washington’s term. It was signed into law by John Adams.

Also, Congress passed it unanimously (only the 3rd such unanimous vote – the 4th was the one honoring George Washington). The text was printed in every major paper. There was not a single objection over the wording by anyone in Congress or by any American.

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John 1:1 --

The only “diplomatic schmoozing” the Founding Fathers were guilty of was their political use of “God” to get votes (they were, after all, politicians).

And, regarding the 1797 Treaty, the fact remains that there is no record of a single objection by anyone or any group to the language. In fact, it was the evangelical Christians that sided with the Founding Fathers in establishing the separation of Church and State because they feared, rightly, that they would be the first targets should one of the larger and more powerful organized religions gain real political power.

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"Unlike Thomas Jefferson -- and Thomas Paine, for that matter -- Washington never even got around to recording his belief that Christ was a great ethical teacher. His reticence on the subject was truly remarkable. Washington frequently alluded to Providence in his private correspondence. But the name of Christ, in any correspondence whatsoever, does not appear anywhere in his many letters to friends and associates throughout his life."

-- Paul F Boller, George Washington & Religion (1963) pp. 74-75, quoted from Ed and Michael Buckner, "Quotations that Support the Separation of State and Church."

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"Dr. Rush told me (he had it from Asa Green) that when the clergy addressed General Washington, on his departure from the government, it was observed in their consultation that he had never, on any occasion, said a word to the public which showed a belief in the Christian religion, and they thought they should so pen their address as to force him at length to disclose publicly whether he was a Christian or not. However, he observed, the old fox was too cunning for them. He answered every article of their address particularly, except that, which he passed over without notice."

-- Thomas Jefferson, quoted from Jefferson's Works, Vol. iv., p. 572. (Asa Green "was probably the Reverend Ashbel Green, who was chaplain to congress during Washington's administration.")

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Since the religious right has shown a fondness for quoting Episcopalian minister Bird Wilson (son of Founding Father James Wilson), I will also employ him as a witness: in an 1831 sermon:

"The founders of our nation were nearly all Infidels, and that of the presidents who had thus far been elected [Washington; Adams; Jefferson; Madison; Monroe; Adams; Jackson] not a one had professed a belief in Christianity....

"Among all our presidents from Washington downward, not one was a professor of religion, at least not of more than Unitarianism."

The Reverend Doctor Bird Wilson, in a sermon preached in October, 1831, first sentence quoted in John E Remsberg, "Six Historic Americans".
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"I have diligently perused every line that Washington ever gave to the public, and I do not find one expression in which he pledges, himself as a believer in Christianity. I think anyone who will candidly do as I have done, will come to the conclusion that he was a Deist and nothing more."

The Reverend Bird Wilson, in an interview with Mr. Robert Dale Owen written on November 13, 1831, which was published in New York two weeks later

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"I do not believe that any degree of recollection will bring to my mind any fact which would prove General Washington to have been a believer in the Christian revelation further than as may be hoped from his constant attendance upon Christian worship, in connection with the general reserve of his character."

The Reverend Doctor Bird Wilson, in a letter to the Rev B C C Parker, dated December 31, 1832, from Wilson, Memoir of Bishop White, pp. 189-191, quoted from Franklin Steiner, The Religious Beliefs of Our Presidents, pp. 28

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You should work on your own education before insulting the reading comprehension of others.

It is OK for you to play in the Kiddy-pool, but leave the heavy thinking to us adults.


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Da Mick --

Don’t you guys ever quit? Or, has lying become so ingrained that you no longer know, or care, what the truth is.

Washington never said anything of the kind and your particular quote has been admitted to have been made up by David Barton (conservative Christian leader [lead liar] and good-buddy to our nit-wit President). Of course, Barton only admitted the truth after being confronted repeatedly with the truth.

Since you like quotes, why don’t you check out the few ‘authentic’ ones above?

Answer 5

Yes, I knew this too and try to bring it up when I hear those words.... This is a christian nation!

Answer 6

Yes, I knew this...Washington and Adams ROCKED!

Answer 7

This is not news, but should be more widely known than it is.

Answer 8

Yes. I did know that.

Answer 9

I most certainly did :)