I Love This Quote
Many of America's Founding Fathers can be quoted opposing religion but that one is my personal favorite.
Many of America's Founding Fathers can be quoted opposing religion but that one is my personal favorite.
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ddt333 · 56-60, M
Sacron22 · 56-60, M
The Founders were secular men and women. They were rich, well educated and pragmatic. Religion was important to a few, but most saw it as a guide to fundamental human right; not the law, but a codification of human laws@Carver:
lasergraph · 70-79, M
The Bill of Rights were simply written on purpose. If they had elaborated for sentence after sentence there could be more ways to dissolve such rights. The first amendment is simple indeed, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" The term separation of church and state is nowhere to be found but the implication is clear enough. Thomas Jefferson first used the term "separation of church and state" as he expressed his opinion to a clergy friend of his. The founders were as divided then as they are today with some being very religious and some not at all. Ben Franklin was quoted as saying, "The older I get the more I believe that God interferes in the matters of men." He did not say who he believed God to be, however.
DaveLiam78 · 31-35, M
God is God
SerenitiesScars · 31-35, M
Pretty sure they were all Christians. And since the Bible refers to it that Christianity is not about being religious but about having a personal relationship with God. I think people are misinterpreting what they mean by "Religious"
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Carver · 31-35, F
@OpenArmPolicy: It's not really misleading since Adams would further reject religion in his later life. And the idea that religion is required to have moral guidelines is actually subjective. I say it's unreasonable to think this world would be without morals if religion didn't exist.
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
having studied the founding fathers extensively, they practiced a much stricter religious doctrine than we do today. That said, what they actually opposed was the adoption of a state religion! The would probably be incensed by the attempt by some people to establish their religion as the predominant one and the standard to judge our modern society on. If that strikes home to anyone, sorry, it is simply the fact that no one should proselytize or force me to follow their religious doctrine! Here is the text of the 1st amendment, I am not necessarily a strict interpreter person, but give me a break their intent was pretty clearly laid out here:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Sacron22 · 56-60, M
Right. Religion justifies pre-existing moral/ethical rules. Religion doe not come first. The social norms come fist. They are subsequently reinforced by religious beliefs.@Carver:
Sacron22 · 56-60, M
There are still people who know religion can be dangerous.
Good history lesson. Many folks could use it.
Good history lesson. Many folks could use it.
lasergraph · 70-79, M
John Adam's father-in-law was a minister and his father was a Deacon. They descended direct from Puritans.
DaveLiam78 · 31-35, M
One needs to understand history to understand the separation of theology