George Washington Quotes
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
This quotation is sometimes used to show that Washington thought religion important. Most of the founding fathers thought religion both important and potentially dangerous. They had observed Europe tear itself apart over religious differences. Note that Washington uses the words “religious principles” as opposed to “religion” or “religious prescriptions” or “religious doctrine.” The founders were not hostile to the concept of religion—even Jefferson and Franklin saw potential values in religion and religious institutions. They were hostile, however, to letting any particular sect dominate the religious environment of the nation. Nor did they want any of the religions controlling or operating the civil government. See {625616}.
George Washington, 1732-1799, 1st President of the United States (VA), 1796
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Some other Republican governors thought that Fordice had misspoken and offered him a chance to correct or modify his statement. He declined.
The argument over whether or not the Founding Fathers intended a religious—Christian—foundation in the formation of America is not just a debate of modern times, but has been debated even in the next generation of politicians. Webster, believed that it was.
The Ethical Culture Society was founded as what many people call a secular religion. See {619942}.
- Born: February 22, 1732
- Died: December 14, 1799
- Nationality: American
- Profession: President
George Washington was the first President of the United States (1789-97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the "father of his country".
