a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by thenewgreen
The fact that you don't start from the perspective that NONE of them were Deists puts you on solid ground in my book. You write, "our prominant Founders had no issue with public expression of religion". Can you define the "public expression of religion"? What they appear to have had a problem with was the mandating of specific religion in public institutions.

One thing I often hear from those on the "religious right" is that the founders would "not recognize the republic they created" because it is so far removed now from their original intent.

I wonder if the same can be said of Christianity? What would the founders think of our mega-churches with their christian rock, elaborate lighting, talking in tongues etc? Would John Adams think that the mega churches and TV evangelists should hold so much persuasion in our political arena? Do they embody the "principles upon which freedom can securely stand"

I think Jefferson was right, "the earth belongs in usufruct to the living, that the dead have neither powers nor rights over it". -This question is ours to answer. If I get a vote, I say do as you will in your private life but keep religion out of public institutions.