He was a general in the army, had no problem fighting a war, had a deep belief in God, thought firearms were vital to freedom, second only to free speech.
2007-07-05 02:33:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
I always marvel at those who somehow come up with the notion that Deists (which George Washington was not) did not believe in God.
George Washington these days would probably fit in along the lines of a John McCain. An independent thinker, well educated, good military background, traditional conservative beliefs. He probably wouldn't have been real fond of either the Bush set or the Clinton types. And he sure as hell wouldn't be caught dead cavorting around like today's more liberal Democrats.
2007-07-05 02:49:06 · answer #1 · answered by thegubmint 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In his day that was a RADICAL political position. No other country on earth had any such thing. There was not liberal or conservative then. Only after the establishment of the constitution were liberalism and conservatism defined.
By today's standards, all the founders were conservative in that they adhered strictly to the Constitution that they wrote.
BTW-Deists have a deep belief in God. I am a Deist. We just don't have a religion and we don't have a problem with people who do.
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2007-07-05 02:40:59 · answer #2 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To the person who posted that quote by George Washington, this is the actual quote found by the Mount Vernon Historical Estates:
"My ears hear with pleasure the other matters you mention. Congress will be glad to hear them too. You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do every thing they can to assist you in this wise intention; and to tie the knot of friendship and union so fast, that nothing shall ever be able to loose it."
This detailed his presidential policy to integrate/assimilate Native Americans into "American" culture, not to endorse religion in any way. And, really, that was the only time he ever mentioned Jesus of Nazareth in any of his writings. His diaries say that he rarely went to church, even though colonial Virginia Law demanded he be baptized as an infant. He did not take part in communion either.
2014-12-23 07:08:17 · answer #3 · answered by Patrick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it matter hundreds of years later. Liberal in the sense that he was a revolutionary and making government accountable to the people. It was radical at the time.
2007-07-05 02:41:47 · answer #4 · answered by internet browser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually, in those days, washington and the other founding fathers would have been considered radicals or traitors to the crown...there was no such designations then...we now look at them as 'classic liberals', not what has become of that ideology today which is more akin to stalinism...
2007-07-05 03:30:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, he also led a Revolution and passed up the chance to be King.
1st President of the United States, labeling him "Liberal" or "Conservative" from today's political perspective serves no purpose.
2007-07-05 02:38:31 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.”
--George Washington in a speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779
nuff said...
2007-07-05 02:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by Antiliber 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It wasn't an issue in his day. You were either for a strong central government (Federalists, which Washington was), or you were more for states' rights (Democratic-Republicans, like Jefferson).
2007-07-05 02:38:07 · answer #8 · answered by bradxschuman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he didn't have a deep belief in God, he was a deist...libertarian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism#Deism_in_America
2007-07-05 02:37:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋