All the words...

[imported_GC1]

[ QUOTE ]
our founding fathers were actually deists for the most part.

[/ QUOTE ]

I will readily admit that Jefferson and Franklin were admitted deists (yet both were still strongly influenced by Christian thought) and Payne was an agnostic, but as far as most of the founders being deist I have to strongly disagree.

John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration, was a minister, President of Princeton (founded by Prebyterians and every President until 1902 was a minister)and one of the foremost Theologians in America..

John Hancock wrote in 1775 as he signed a declaratrion for prayer and fasting "In circustances dark as these, it becomes us, as men and christians..."

As Alexander Hamilton was suffering from his gunshot wounds at the hands of Burr he said to the Epicopalian Bishop "I have a 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."

John Jay, first Chief Justice and member of the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress was a devout Prebyterian wrote "Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the priviledge of out Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers".

James Madison, Chief Architect of the Constitution, in opposing an established religion (which if you read the founders meant favoring one christian denomination over another)wrote "Because the policy of the bill is adverse to the diffusion of the light of Christianity. The first wish of those who ought to enjoy this precious gift, ought to be, that it is imparted to the whole race of mankind."

George Mason, richest man in VA and father of the Bill of Rights wrote much of his christian beliefs and in his will and testament wrote "My soul I resign to the Almighty Creator, whose tender mercies are over all His works...I willing and cheerfully submit, humbly hoping from His unbounded mercy and benevolence, through the merits of my blessed Saviour, a remission of my sins"

George Washington? A devout Episcopalian. Who went to church and fasted all day as the colonies considered their actions. And also ordered his slodiers to act as becomes christian soldiers. A prayer that is on a plaque in St Pauls Chapel written by Washington ends with pleas to Jesus Christ out Lord. On the tomb of Washington is engraved verses from John 11. There is probably more evidence of Washington being a christian than any other founder.

[imported_ut1]

You beat me to the punch there GC1. Our LIBERATORS were, for the most part, disciples of Jesus Christ. You can see His teaching in the very founding principles and policies of our early nation.

All these folks had to good sense to know right from wrong. I wonder how many today would have the courage to break from the king of England. How many would follow blindly, Saying, "He is our King, he must be right."

[imported_ut1]

He is King George, so he MUST be right!! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Gotch]

Jefferson On his beliefs:


"They are the result of a life of inquiry and reflection, and very different from that anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions."


"To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed, but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense in which he wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to his doctrines in preference to all others..."