Comments on: David Barton’s Founders’ Bible: John Adams and the General Principles of Christianity

By: Krista Vessell

Krista Vessell — Wed, 30 May 2018 21:11:33 +0000

Oft, that’s a loaded question. I never said the founders were “taught” about other religions. I said they were well aware of other religions, either by schooling or through their own study. Which one, I don’t know, but I have read enough of their letters referencing things like Jewish mysticism, Roman and Greek philosophy (Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, etc….NOT “Christian” men), and yes, even Hinduism, etc…, where I had to do research just to understand what they were talking about.

November 26th, 1785 Letter from Richard Henry Lee to James Madison –

“The declaration of Rights, it seems to me, rather contends against forcing modes of faith and forms of worship, than against compelling contribution for the support of religion in general. I fully agree with the presbyterians, that true freedom embraces the Mahomitan and the Gentoo as well as the Xn religion. And upon this liberal ground I hope our Assembly will conduct themselves”

Mahomitan = Muslim. Gentoo = Hindu. Yeah…they were aware of other religions. Oh, and Mr. Lee even used the word “liberal”! No wonder Barton doesn’t mention him…

Benjamin Rush, Essays, Literary, Moral and Philosophical, pg. 8 –

“Such is my veneration for every religion that reveals the attributes of the Deity, or a future state of rewards and punishments, that I had rather see the opinions of Confucius or Mahomed (Mohammed) inculcated upon our youth, than see them grow up wholly devoid of a system of religious principles.”

Rush goes on to suggest that, although “…it is improper to fill the minds of youth with religious prejudices of any kind, and that they should be left to choose their own principles, after they have arrived at an age in which they are capable of judging for themselves,” he also says:

“Could we preserve the mind in childhood and youth a perfect blank, this plan of education would have more to recommend it; but this we know to be impossible.”

This being the case, he offers his opinion that Christianity should be the basis for introducing youth to religion, but went on to explain: “…I add further, that if our youth are disposed after they are of age to think for themselves, a knowledge of one system, will be the best means of conducting them in a free enquiry into other systems of religion, just as an acquaintance with one system of philosophy is the best introduction to the study of all the other systems in the world.”

Again, this is hardly proof of Barton’s arguments that the founding fathers wanted the government to be founded on the Christian religion, and that Christianity is the only worthwhile religion to teach our youths. They may have had opinions about the importance of Christianity (and no one can deny that educating our children about religion is necessary if they are to have a well-rounded education), but they also had enough understanding of other religions and cultures so as not to blind themselves and “paint themselves into a corner,” so to speak, with regards to strict adherence to a particular religion (Christianity, for ex.) with intolerance toward all others.

There are several other examples; I encourage you to take the initiative to research them. I can only do so much work for people…

By: Richard Willmer

Richard Willmer — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:01:03 +0000

I think the general point behind Krista’s comment is very well made: I for one certainly want to see a society based on ‘core Christian principles’, such as the Golden Rule (it was, reportedly, Christ who coined that rule – though others have said similar things, of course), but would never want to see some kind of theocracy supplanting democracy, or the human rights of those who are not Christian compromised.

I can’t comment on the specifics of Adam’s perspective – I’m not knowledgeable enough to do that.

By: Zoe Brain

Zoe Brain — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:01:02 +0000

they even persuaded mankind to believe, faithfully and undoubtingly, that God Almighty had intrusted them… with a power of procuring or withholding the rain of heaven, and the beams of the sun—with the management of earthquakes, pestilence and famine…. All these opinions they were enabled to spread and rivet among the people, by reducing their minds to a state of sordid ignorance and staring timidity; and by infusing into them a religious horror of letters and knowledge.”

Reverend Jesten Peters of Keys of Authority Ministries told the Christian Broadcasting Network that her organization successfully prayed Isaac away from Tampa, Right Wing Watch reports.

Said Peters:

“We have had lots and lots of people praying around the clock that it would move, and after you watch from the very beginning where they were saying it was coming and now where they say it is going, then it has really moved out of the way for us and we appreciate God doing that and moving it for us!”

By: oft

oft — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:01:02 +0000

Krista,