Abridged from David Barton's article, at wallbuilders.com.This is a question often asked today, and it arises from the efforts of those who seek to impeach Washington's character by portraying him as irreligious. Interestingly, Washington's own contemporaries did not question his Christianity but were thoroughly convinced of his devout faith--a fact made evident in the first-ever compilation of the The Writings of George Washington, published in the 1830s.
That compilation of Washington's writings was prepared and published by Jared Sparks (1789-1866), a noted writer and historian. Sparks' herculean historical productions included not only the writings of George Washington (12 volumes) but also Benjamin Franklin (10 volumes) and Constitution signer Gouverneur Morris (3 volumes). Additionally, Sparks compiled the Library of American Biography (25 volumes), The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (12 volumes), and the Correspondence of the American Revolution (4 volumes). In all, Sparks was responsible for some 100 historical volumes. Additionally, Sparks was America's first professor of history--other than ecclesiastical history--to teach at the college level in the United States, and he was later chosen president of Harvard.
...Is it necessary that any one should certify, "General Washington avowed himself to me a believer in Christianity?" As well may we question his patriotism, his heroic, disinterested devotion to his country. His mottos were, "Deeds, not Words"; and, "For God and my Country."
With sentiments of esteem,
I am, Nelly Custis-Lewis
7 comments:
Get real... at best George was a deist. That is, someone who believes that if there is a god at all, he is not interested in this world.
Explain why George never took communion? That he in fact can be proven to have intentionally avoided it. Keep in mind that all of the pious paintings of George were done after his death. And then there's Jefferson another founding father who compared large portions of the bible "unto a dung heap"... Finally, Ethan Allen is on record as having the position that his newly founded nation should outlaw all religion. The first line of the Treaty of Tripoli is: In as much as we are not a christian nation... check your references before being so certain.
There appears to be an agenda to "set our story straight", that these United States, were not founded upon the principles of Judeo-Christian principles. I suppose one can find a historian's report to support their particular point of view.
But anyone choosing go to the source, to the General's own field notebooks would know this man was a committed Christian, submitting himself to God the Father, and His son, Jesus.
"O most glorious God ... Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit.... Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy Son Jesus Christ.... Thou gavest thy Son to die for me, and hast given me assurance of salvation...."
http://www.earstohear.net/Heritage/gwashington.html
I think the agenda is to pretend that the US was founded by christians... which is wasn't.
As to the "quote" try to find a few cross references beside this one lonely site... I think you'll find that this was not something George wrote... only something in a prayer journal which MAY have been found on one of his properties. Below are actual quotes that you can cross reference through many sources:
Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society. [George Washington, letter to Edward Newenham, October 20, 1792; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 726]
There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. [George Washington, address to Congress, 8 January, 1790]
Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than thsoe which spring from any other cause. [George Washington, letter to Sir Edward Newenham, June 22, 1792]
...the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction. [George Washington, 1789, responding to clergy complaints that the Constitution lacked mention of Jesus Christ, from The Godless Constitution: The Case Against Religious Correctness, Isacc Kramnick and R. Laurence Moore W.W. Norton and Company 101-102]
If they are good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa or Europe; they may be Mahometans, Jews, Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists.... [George Washington, to Tench Tighman, March 24, 1784, when asked what type of workman to get for Mount Vernon, from The Washington papers edited by Saul Padover]
To give opinions unsupported by reasons might appear dogmatical. [George Washington, to Alexander Spotswood, November 22, 1798, from The Washington papers edited by Saul Padover]
The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institutions may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances, be made subservient to the vilest of purposes.
My apologies for the repeated post... not an intentional rant.
Anonymous, I note that the definition of the word, "deist" in your first post, says, "if there is a god at all, he is not interested in this world."
Yet, Geo. Washington, remarks in his final State of the Union, dated Dec. 7, 1796, that he seeks a Divine helping hand, and the continued blessings of His Maker on this great "experiment", these United States, as he leaves office:
...to repeat my fervent supplications to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and Sovereign Arbiter of Nations that His providential care may still be extended to the United States, that the virtue and happiness of the people may be preserved, and that the Government which they have instituted for the protection of their liberties may be perpetual.
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/suwas11.txt
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