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America Is A Christian Nation And Founding Fathers
- Thread starter Ralph III
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That fewer than 10 % of colonists even attended regular services is evidenced clearly in this article of history.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/secular.html
Cheers,
Jim
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/secular.html
Cheers,
Jim
Jim1999 said:
If true, that is at least partly because there were large areas in the colonies where there were no ministers at all. Many people had no opportunity to join a church, and attended camp meetings whenever possible. There is at least one account of a traveling minister who was kidnapped, and forced to come to a little settlement to preach a serman, since those people hadn't heard one in such a long time.
(LE, thank you, you put some good arguments out there.)
Hello Everyone, Marcia, LadyEagle, av1611jim, Niteshift, Joseph_Botwinick, Jim1999.
Again I have enjoyed the input by “everyone”. I hope all are doing well and bless each. Most of this has been covered here and in "American Revolution". So I will most likely bow out. I do wish to clarify a few things already covered and then in regards to a few other replies.
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Yes many during the time did not attend an established Church on a regular basis. However it was for various reasons and much different then.
1) To note. There was no census as we have today so no way of knowing exactly what trends and populations were. Often what you see is significantly bloated by certain groups.
2) What Niteshift said was accurate. Most Americans and America in general was sparse and wilderness. Thus many people and communities, set up what would be considered "non-denominational" churches or gathering places. These are virtually never recognized by the above groups.
3) Many communities with organized Churches relied on a traveling pastor/preacher. Such as with George Washington. He at times attended services twice on a given day. He traveled with his family seven miles, 3 hour round trip, for Sunday services when available. At other times they traversed to their second parish, in Alexandria, even further away. Which Washington also supported. I highly recommend Michael Novaks "Washington's God". It is an excellent book.
4) It was not like today. Where we can jump in a car and drive around the corner for Church services.
Just a few misrepresentative examples from your listed site:
This is THE A-Typical attempt of an atheist and/or separatist group to absolutely discredit or minimize Founders and Others' faith. By using blatant lies and/or misinformation, especially with George Washington.
1) Washington and many others, including clergy, joined the Masons party because of the many good things they did within communities. It was made up virtually of all Protestants. Who advocated freedom of conscience and accepted the Bible as the authority for revealed truth. George Washington’s induction prayer concluded “Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
In addition, Washington's participation in the Mason's is absolutely misrepresented. That organization underwent a negative change at the turn of century and was nothing as he and others had joined. An immigrant pastor wrote him with concerns as he had seen in Europe. Which sought to undermine religion and government. Washington replied.
He wrote the pastor back to clarify as he did not doubt there was a corrupt movement within the Masons of America. He felt it was not organized though. http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/to...deng/parsed&tag=public&part=388&division=div1 copies available at Library of Congress.
To keep such in perspective with George Washington. Washington
2) Your site says
a) Washington issued general orders continually and throughout the Revolution. Such as follows.
b) George Washington corresponded regularly with many different Christian denominations around the nation. As pastors often sent him copies of their sermons. One such reply from him follows,
c) He wrote the Delaware Chiefs, May 12, 1779.
It is well known George Washington was not so outspoken as we are today with his faith. But it was more so out of his faith than lack of. This as noted by his granddaughter, Eleanor(“Nelly”) Parke Curtis,
“
Matt 6:5-6 says
Anyhow just wanted to clarify a few things. Take care. :wavey: Ralph
Again I have enjoyed the input by “everyone”. I hope all are doing well and bless each. Most of this has been covered here and in "American Revolution". So I will most likely bow out. I do wish to clarify a few things already covered and then in regards to a few other replies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim please check your sources. Atheistic groups will never find good in God or any Christian. Secularist and separatist groups will never acknowledge God in our nation’s history or government.
Yes many during the time did not attend an established Church on a regular basis. However it was for various reasons and much different then.
1) To note. There was no census as we have today so no way of knowing exactly what trends and populations were. Often what you see is significantly bloated by certain groups.
2) What Niteshift said was accurate. Most Americans and America in general was sparse and wilderness. Thus many people and communities, set up what would be considered "non-denominational" churches or gathering places. These are virtually never recognized by the above groups.
3) Many communities with organized Churches relied on a traveling pastor/preacher. Such as with George Washington. He at times attended services twice on a given day. He traveled with his family seven miles, 3 hour round trip, for Sunday services when available. At other times they traversed to their second parish, in Alexandria, even further away. Which Washington also supported. I highly recommend Michael Novaks "Washington's God". It is an excellent book.
4) It was not like today. Where we can jump in a car and drive around the corner for Church services.
Just a few misrepresentative examples from your listed site:
This is THE A-Typical attempt of an atheist and/or separatist group to absolutely discredit or minimize Founders and Others' faith. By using blatant lies and/or misinformation, especially with George Washington.
1) Washington and many others, including clergy, joined the Masons party because of the many good things they did within communities. It was made up virtually of all Protestants. Who advocated freedom of conscience and accepted the Bible as the authority for revealed truth. George Washington’s induction prayer concluded “Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
In addition, Washington's participation in the Mason's is absolutely misrepresented. That organization underwent a negative change at the turn of century and was nothing as he and others had joined. An immigrant pastor wrote him with concerns as he had seen in Europe. Which sought to undermine religion and government. Washington replied.
http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/to...deng/parsed&tag=public&part=339&division=div1 Photo copies available, Library of Congress.
He wrote the pastor back to clarify as he did not doubt there was a corrupt movement within the Masons of America. He felt it was not organized though. http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/to...deng/parsed&tag=public&part=388&division=div1 copies available at Library of Congress.
To keep such in perspective with George Washington. Washington
Michael Novak "Washington's God".
2) Your site says
Again, this A-typical and a blatant lie, period! It is only meant to deceive people who know no better, period!
a) Washington issued general orders continually and throughout the Revolution. Such as follows.
b) George Washington corresponded regularly with many different Christian denominations around the nation. As pastors often sent him copies of their sermons. One such reply from him follows,
c) He wrote the Delaware Chiefs, May 12, 1779.
It is well known George Washington was not so outspoken as we are today with his faith. But it was more so out of his faith than lack of. This as noted by his granddaughter, Eleanor(“Nelly”) Parke Curtis,
“
Matt 6:5-6 says
Anyhow just wanted to clarify a few things. Take care. :wavey: Ralph
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LadyEagle said:
Thank you LadyEagle very much, humble!
I just really don't understand where a few are coming from at times? It does not matter to me if they strongly disagree with America being a Christian nation or not. But in other regards, to basically ignore scripture and/or finger point is bothersome.
Anyhow, I would like to finish with a short response tomorrow or Tuesday. I promis short y'all, ha! Everyone take care.:wavey:
Ralph
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NiteShift said:
It's not for a lack of effort:
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/project/volumes/index.html
Unfortunately, some of the letters that would be of intense interest — his correspondence with Martha — were committed to the flames by his widow.
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