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Florida Principal, Athletic Director Could Go to Jail for Prayer Before Lunch

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Revmitchell

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He did not speak of Christ often. Of his 20,000 pages of George Washington's public and private writings, there is one recorded mention of the phrase “Jesus Christ”. That is in a letter to the Delaware Indians. In none of his private writings does he mention Christ at all. There are hundreds of times he references God, however.

Ah well I see you moved from never to once, however you are still incorrect. But you are making progress.
 

Johnv

New Member
Nice fantasy on your part.

The facts are that, of his 20,000 pages of George Washington's public and private writings, there is only one recorded mention Christ. (which contrary to your false claim, I noted before). In none of his private writings does he mention Christ at all. There are hundreds of times he references God, however.

That is absolute historic fact. If you say "not it's not", you're either ignorant, or a liar, or both. If you don't believe me, look it up for yourself.
 

HankD

Well-Known Member
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Here is a question:

How many apples does it take to prove a tree is an apple tree?

HankD
 

RAdam

New Member
So George Washington, who you claim is a deist, supports teaching people from something he doesn't agree with? After all, the deist doesn't believe the bible, he doesn't believe God intervenes supernaturally in the lives of men, he doesn't believe in the miracles of Christ, etc. Yet Washington supported teaching people from this book he doesn't agree with. Yep, that makes sense.
 

FlyForFun

New Member
Nice fantasy on your part.

The facts are that, of his 20,000 pages of George Washington's public and private writings, there is only one recorded mention Christ. (which contrary to your false claim, I noted before). In none of his private writings does he mention Christ at all. There are hundreds of times he references God, however.

That is absolute historic fact. If you say "not it's not", you're either ignorant, or a liar, or both. If you don't believe me, look it up for yourself.

Washington lived in a different age.

Washington was first and foremost a soldier. In that role, he learned to set aside issues that were secondary -- in his mind -- to the primary mission.

Those that want to set up Washington as some paragon of modern evangelicalism are as deluded as those who claim he was religiously neutral.
 

Johnv

New Member
He wasn't religiously neutral. He was clearly a dedicated Mason, a committed member of the Enlightement (a philosophical and societal movement of the day) and a devout deist.
 

FlyForFun

New Member
He wasn't religiously neutral. He was clearly a dedicated Mason, a committed member of the Enlightement (a philosophical and societal movement of the day) and a devout deist.

...and he was hardly consistent in his beliefs -- a common failing of human beings living in the 18th -- or any -- century.

The ready claim that he was with us or against us is pure hooey. Washington was a complex man, with many interests. He was certainly a Mason --as were a majority of the Founders -- but this was common for those wanting to be or already wealthy.

Those that want to claim this or that historical figure need to show a bit more charity and a bit more humility. We want our forebears to be paragons of virtue, but objective reaserch reveals they were flawed, incomplete sinners.

Shocker.
 

Revmitchell

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He wasn't religiously neutral. He was clearly a dedicated Mason, a committed member of the Enlightement (a philosophical and societal movement of the day) and a devout deist.


Again baloney. he was a devoted Christian who mentioned Christ often in hsi writings.
 

HankD

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While he was the President, Washington attended Christ Church (an Anglican/Episcopalian congregation) in Philadelphia.

There does seem to be conflicting reports concerning his personal and private beliefs.

George Washington was identified as an Episcopalian by the 1995 Information Please Almanac; the Library of Congress; and A Worthy Company: Brief Lives of the Framers of the United States Constitution by M. E. Bradford. Memoirs & Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson, IV, page 512 was cited as the source stating that Washington was a "theist." (Source: Ian Dorion, "Table of the Religious Affiliations of American Founders", 1997).

There is a reason why many of the founding fathers had serious reservations about the church in general:

Support of the Anglican Church could be interpreted as an endorsement of the Crown.

...The principal Founding Fathers--Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin--were in fact deeply suspicious of a European pattern of governmental involvement in religion. They were deeply concerned about an involvement in religion because they saw government as corrupting religion. Ministers who were paid by the state and paid by the government didn't pay any attention to their parishes. They didn't care about their parishioners. They could have, they sold their parishes. They sold their jobs and brought in a hireling to do it and they wandered off to live somewhere else and they didn't need to pay attention to their parishioners because the parishioners weren't paying them. The state was paying them.

http://www.adherents.com/people/pw/George_Washington.html

Apart from an outright denial of Christ, this reticence IMO is not conclusive proof that they were NOT believers in Jesus Christ as Savior.


HankD
 

Revmitchell

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Nice fantasy on your part.

The facts are that, of his 20,000 pages of George Washington's public and private writings, there is only one recorded mention Christ. (which contrary to your false claim, I noted before). In none of his private writings does he mention Christ at all. There are hundreds of times he references God, however.

That is absolute historic fact. If you say "not it's not", you're either ignorant, or a liar, or both. If you don't believe me, look it up for yourself.


I looked it up and provided several instances. The lie is your based on the liberal indoctrination you have suffered from.
 

Revmitchell

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SPEECH TO THE DELAWARE CHIEFS

"You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ."~ George Washington

September 14, 1775, regarding the advance into Canada, General George Washington enlarged:

“I also give it in charge to you to avoid all disrespect of the religion of the country, and its ceremonies. Prudence, policy, and a true Christian spirit will lead us to look with compassion upon their errors without insulting them. While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience of others, ever considering that God alone is the Judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only in this case they are answerable.”~George Washington

On July 9, 1776, upon receiving a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the Continental Congress, General George Washington issued the orders from his headquarters in New York authorizing the Continental Army to appoint and pay chaplains in every regiment.


"“The Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-three Dollars and one third pr month – The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and exemplary lives -To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger – The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country. The Hon. Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North America, free and independent States: The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective Parades at six O’Clock, when the Declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds and reasons of this measure, is to be read with an audible voice. The General hopes this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer, and soldier, to act with Fidelity and Courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his Country depends (under God) solely on the success of our arms.”~George Washington

note* no concern for separation of church and state here with regards to Christianity and the Military.

On Sunday, October 19, 1777, in a letter to Major-General Putnam, General Washington wrote:

“The defeat of General Burgoyne is a most important event, and such as must afford the highest satisfaction to every well-affected American. Should Providence be pleased to crown our arms in the course of the campaign with one more fortunate stroke, I think we shall have no great cause for anxiety respecting the future designs of Britain. I trust all will be well in His good time…. I am exceedingly sorry for the death of Mrs Putman, and sympathize with you upon the occasion. Remembering that all must die, and that she had lived to an honorable age, I hope you will bear the misfortune with that fortitude and complacency of mind that become a man and a Christian.”~George Washington
 
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rbell

Active Member
Back on topic...

If, God forbid, there is some sort of tragedy at Pace High School (other than what has already transpired)...such as a shooting, an accident, fatalities, etc...

...watch how fast there will be "prayer vigils." The ACLU--even as stupid and morally bankrupt as they are--wouldn't be dumb enough to stop that kind of expression.

But right now...they feel completely fine with running an anti-Christian police state.

There is also an overlooked tragedy...one that ticks me off:

The student who at last graduation was forbidden to speak...because (gasp!) she might say something religious. I'm sorry...argue about the principal and jail time...but if you think that in any way the school board had any right to prohibit this girl from speaking about her faith, on her own, and not as an endorsement from the school...then I would question how seriously you take your faith.

I cannot imagine a more cut-and-dried violation of one's first amendment rights.
 

Johnv

New Member
Two things, and on separate topics.

On the topic of Washington's quotes above, none of those are evidence to Washington having apersonal faith in Christ. Only once does he reference Christ (and that one has already been discussed), and in the others, he generically references the Christian religion. Thomas Jefferson and Bejamink Franklin wrote similarly about Christianity, and those two men were affirmed nonchristian deists.

On the original OP topic of speaking at a public school graduation, rbell has a good point. The court has ruled that a student leading prayer at a graduation excercise does not violate the establishment clause of Amendment I so long as the prayer does not appear to be school sponsored or endoresed, and is purely student-initiated. However, on the OP topic of restricting a students's graduation speech itself, courts have ruled that a sectarian commencement speech or secterian prayer as part of the speech, violates the establishment clause of Amendment I. If, however, religious references in a speech are nonsecterian, they fall under the protection of the free speech clause of Amendment I. However the courts have also refused to strike down district policies that allow elected students to deliver unrestricted message at graduation. So it's very much a "depends on the content and context" issue.
 
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Revmitchell

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Two things, and on separate topics.

On the topic of Washington's quotes above, none of those are evidence to Washington having apersonal faith in Christ. Only once does he reference Christ (and that one has already been discussed), and in the others, he generically references the Christian religion. Thomas Jefferson and Bejamink Franklin wrote similarly about Christianity, and those two men were affirmed nonchristian deists.


Obviously you have to ignore evidence to believe your delusion. Man the libbies indoctrination runs deep in you.
 

Johnv

New Member
Obviously you have to ignore evidence to believe your delusion. Man the libbies indoctrination runs deep in you.
It's actually you who is ignoring evidence to believe your delusion. As for "libbie indictrination" you seem to wield that dull sword whenever anyone disagrees with you, so all it does is display your inability to engage in respectful discussion. As for any "ïndoctrination", you can thank my history teacher at my conservative Baptist high school, and history professors at the two conservative Baptist colleges I attended.
 

Revmitchell

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It's actually you who is ignoring evidence to believe your delusion. As for "libbie indictrination" you seem to wield that dull sword whenever anyone disagrees with you, so all it does is display your inability to engage in respectful discussion. As for any "ïndoctrination", you can thank my history teacher at my conservative Baptist high school, and history professors at the two conservative Baptist colleges I attended.

Call it what you want but that is where you get your odd mindset from. It is the driving force behind your decisions. And it muddy's the waters for any objective thinking. The evidence is clear and bold. As far as any conservative education well no evidence supports that. As far as a repsectfull conversation you need to go back and look at your posts.

You have been largely inconsistent on this issue. First you stated that Washington never used the word Christ in any of his writings. Then you felt compelled to admit to one. Now I have shown the use of Christ to be quite often and you work to side step your previous two inconsistent statements eg "he never used Christ" and "he only used it once" , in order to defend against the evidence I have provided. I have shown your first two inconsistent statements to be in error and the third inconsistent statement, as error, is obvious for all to see.
 
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Revmitchell

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In other words, to disagree with you is to be unable to think clearly? :laugh:

Bro. I am quite sure you intended to post more than this but just got side tracked in your glee of words. I know there was something more significant than this ready to burst out of you in this thread.
 

RAdam

New Member
It's amazing how man can make anything complex. The first amendment to the constitution is likely the clearest language possible, yet we have all of this sectarian verses non-sectarian crap. That amendment makes this statement: Congress cannot make a law that either makes you adhere to a religion or prohibiting your free exercise of your religion. So, if a graduate wants to get up and give a speech at graduation and mention Jesus Christ, the first amendment tells me that she has every right to. If a student or teacher at school wants to pray, they have every right to. It's really simple, and it's really sad that man has read into it things which clearly aren't there.
 
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