Have we forgotten the tenets upon which our country was founded?

Question

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness...The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them" - George Washington
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/washing.htm

"Democracy is, first and foremost, a spiritual force, it is built upon a spiritual basis- and on a belief in God and an observance of moral principle. And in the long run only the church can provide that basis. Our founders knew this truth - and we will neglect it at our peril." - Harry S. Truman
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=14347

-"Why do Americans quote founding fathers (I really don't understand why you quote Truman) as if they're some sort of infallible gods?"

I never said they're infallible Gods. I quote Truman to show that these beliefs were widely held from the beginning of the country until at least as recently as the 1950s. And somewhere along the line many Americans have completely abandoned any set of governing morality and I feel such a position is inherently dangerous. Try actually answering the question next time.

- "Interesting, so it is your belief that if I do not believe in God then I must also not believe in Democracy"

Nope, never said that.

- "one of their great fears were oppressions of religious freedom no matter what the belief system might be"

Exactly, whose religious freedoms are being oppressed? Mine and others who believe morality is important to a well functioning democracy. I'm not oppressing anyone's religious freedoms, nor do I try to force my religious views on anyone else.

- "Great men can still be miss understood, I think that if you could ask either of these men if the county should support a religion They would tell you were to go in no uncertain terms"

Well, sir, YOU are the one misunderstanding their intent. No one is recommending that the country should support a particular religion. I never said that, nor did they. But hey, at least you tried, right?

"You also forgot to add this out of that speech: 'And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.' "

You seem like you're using that quote in an attempt to prove me wrong but I get the feeling that you don't understand what those words mean. So let me help you out, what that means is that "It is dangerous to presume that morality can be maintained WITHOUT religion." He is clearly supporting religion in that quote, notice he did not say "this particular religion." Again, NO ONE is advocating a state sponsored religion. Stop changing the subject.

Answer 1

We haven't, but, they have.

Answer 2

I agree and understand that things are changing. I recently have been sending a letter to each and ever senator in the United States. Here is a copy of my letter....

I really don’t care if you are democrat or republican at this point. It seems that who ever runs independent in 2008 will have an excellent chance if the people we have entrusted keep doing nothing. What I want is my country back. I want this to be the proud America it used to be. I want men like Bush and Cheney out of the white house yesterday. They have destroyed America. They have made the world hate us and for good reason. I don’t think any one has lied, cheated, stole, or tried to rule more then this administration. They have broken laws and the people want a change. They would like the administration charged and arrested. I know that might be asking too much. I just want you to know that come election time it may come back to haunt you if you keep ignoring the people. I also want you to imagine, that could be the best case scenario.
Imagine again if another country knows how the people are in distress over there leader and tries to help us out like we helped Iraq. Wouldn’t that be something?
Its not to late for you to step up to the plate and do what’s right for America.

Sincerely,

A concerned family, who wants a bright future in America.

Answer 3

Interesting, so it is your belief that if I do not believe in God then I must also not believe in Democracy. Some of those tenets of which you speak are the right to worship freely with no government intervention. The right to free speech and the right to free expression. It appears to me that you are the one who has forgotten these tenets given your veiled inferences that if I don't believe as you that I cannot be a good American or properly understand the democratic principle on which the country is founded. You need to really read what the Founding Fathers were saying because one of their great fears were oppressions of religious freedom no matter what the belief system might be.

Answer 4

You should try reading some philosophical texts on law. Ideas range from a 'Natural Law,' law being a human artifact, law as a means of protecting contracts among individuals in society. The ideas of law have been debated for years, and there are many different opinions on the origins of where law comes from and why it comes about. To quote only two people and cite them as the source of why the United States of America should have a religious basis is unjust to the many ideas concerning law. There are those that believe it should and those that disagree, thats what makes it a, lets all say it together now, democracy.

Answer 5

Great men can still be miss understood, I think that if you could ask either of these men if the county should support a religion They would tell you were to go in no uncertain terms

Answer 6

Some have and your posting sound bites out of context from that speech makes you look less than forthcoming.

You also forgot to add this out of that speech: "And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion."

Answer 7

Why do Americans quote founding fathers (I really don't understand why you quote Truman) as if they're some sort of infallible gods?
Like anyone, these people can come out with nonsense sometimes and are a product of their age.

Answer 8

Lots of people invoke God to justify their positions. Unfortunately, many use it to try and hurt other people. Personally, I don't think God would think very much about how most in this country are treated and the bigots who use his name in vain!

Bu then, I don't have to worry about passing through an eye of a needle!

Answer 9

Yes, many people have forgotten (which I am not surprised about).