A Thought on George Washington's Farewell

I recently read George Washington's Farewell address. He never gave it as a speech, but it was published in a prominent newspaper. You can find it in various forms. Congress has it available as a PDF document; portions of it with comments can be found on Wikipedia.

I feel that Washington and his writing assistants, Hamilton and Madison, must have had some forewarning of our countries future. This address contains so many warnings about what could go wrong, and it seems to me that most of them have occurred. One of his warnings deals with religion and morality in our country, but let me add here a quote from the address; it speaks for its self. I have added bold to the statements I feel most strongly about.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

I am now of the opinion that court decisions barring the expression of religious principles in public meetings and gatherings such as commencement exercises is in itself a violation of our first amendment rights.

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.

Court prohibition of prayer, invocations, etc. is in effect creating law "prohibiting the free exercise of religion." It seems to me that not all religions are being treated equally. Christianity seems to have been particularly hard hit. We are a nation founded on Christian principles and these principles are now under attack from within as well as from without.

I totally agree with President Washington that without a religious foundation, our morality is in danger. My hope is that we wakeup in time.