In my college writing class our first assignment is to write a paraphrase and precis on a selection from George Washington's Farewell Address.
Here is his wording:
27 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 connexions 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.
28 It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric ?
(And a link to the full text http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/text.html ; excerpt from articles 27 and 28)
And my take on what the man is inferring:
In order to have a successful governmental system, there are many attitudes and actions that lead to it, but religion and morality are the most important fundamental building blocks for political richness. If one calls themselves a citizen, yet is given to attack religious morality-- the very substance of what allows us as citizens to fulfill our duty-- it is useless to call one’s self a lover of what this country stands for. Both, the spiritual and political man should relish and esteem such qualities as religion and morality. The bond between both religion and morality with both national and personal contentment cannot be traced. What protects basic human rights if the very system of government has no religious commitment? It is appropriate to consider with caution whether morality is possible without religion. Though education may yield morality in a select few, logic paired with practice lead to the conclusion that virtue on a national scale cannot be maintained without Biblical groundwork.
It is then safe to say ethics of righteousness in the people is the wellspring of a successful democratic government. This supposition reaches out to every other form of free government. How can one claim to support democracy, yet remain apathetic toward the attacks upon religion and morality, the very foundation of a profitable free government?
***I felt the need to share this based upon how enlightening it was to find one of the most influential founding fathers of this country took such a strong stand against separating the morals of the Bible from government. After all, the founding fathers are responsible for establishing such a powerful nation. Let us not stray.
