jbe,
You have done hard work here, and it's appreciated, but it is not necessary to continue. IMO, there are just as many "scholars" that will say that many, if not most, were Christians. And I have many recorded quotes from many different men, so it just becomes a matter of he said /she said. Who gets to determine that one source is "more valid" than another? That would seem to follow under the heading of preference. Of course I like my guys better cause that leans to my belief.(And cannot be proved a lie) Same with yours.
There are a couple of points that I will agree on. I will agree that we DO NOT need(nor do I want) a national religion. That in itself does not make me a deist or non -Christian. And I agree that many, if not most, of the Christian founding fathers would have said (and did as evidenced by the quotes) the same, that NO national religion was wanted. That cannot make men like Washington deists just because of that. It was clear that was one thing to be gotten away from in the Church of England. ((I know, I know my grammar sucks))
We could get,as you say, tied up in printing quotes from now til the Lord comes again, and who would listen? I am safe and secure in the knowledge that our country was founded by men who overall believed in God and were overall not athiests or agnostics. That may draw a bunch of posts but I won't read them anyway .
Thanks for your response and the time you have taken.
dan |
