Its interesting you base your argument on the musings of a man known to have fathered a child with one of his slaves. While TJ was an important part of the birth of the US he was by no means the only founding father or even the most well regarded.
Religion in its most basic form dictates the principles of government. Not only were the two elements inherently connected, but the nation itself was created within a context of religious moral virtue. Politics and religion were closely tied regardless of their continually changing roles. The founding fathers saw the marriage of these two spheres as requisite to the success of the nation
"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, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.—The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. – A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. – Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained with out religion.—Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure – reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
--George Washington’s Farewell Address
Ben Franklin also believed that once a man departed from his individual morality, he could only trust in divine providence that his life and fortune would reflect the virtue of his character. Throughout the drafting of the Constitution, Franklin wrote in his journal of the assembly retiring to pray during difficult passages.
“And now I speak of thanking God, I desire withal Humility to acknowledge, that I owe the mention’d Happiness of my past Life to His kind Providence, which led me to the Means I us’d & gave them success. My Belief of this, induces me to hope, tho’ I must not presume, that the same Goodness will still be exercis’d towards me in continuing that Happiness, or in enabling me to bear a fatal Reverse, which I may experience as others have done, the Complexion of my future Fortune being known to Him only; and in whose power it is to bless to us even our Afflictions.”
“ Of all the suppositions and habits which lead to political prosperity; Religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
“ If men are so wicked as we now see them with religion, what would they be without it”
-- Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography
Buckster
Member #: 8247
Registered: 1996-2001
Posted:
26
Name:
Jack Taylor
Name:
Jack Taylor
Company:
Western Empire Telecom
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