National Morality Quotes
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}.
This quotation is often given to illustrate that what politicians say and what they do can be diametrically opposite. Here, when Hitler’s government came to power, he issued this proclamation that would be regarded as the foundation of morality by modern Evangelical Christians. And yet he implemented one of the most anti-Christian and anti-family regimes in world history—the furthest thing from Christian morality that could be conceived.
America had declared war on Mexico and President Polk had designs on California and other territory.
Debating the Aliens Bill that would reduce the influx of immigrants and refugees from France as a result of the excesses of the French Revolution and remove the civil rights that foreigners had previously had.
