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Patriotism and Piety

Submitted by Claude Bogardus, Dec 8, 2007 11:19

While Central Europe relied upon religious orthodoxy to confer legitimacy upon the reigning sovereign, the result was the unhealthy accretion of the power of the sovereign, for he could proclaim his celestial selection. Such a path to unity was denied the assembled colonies. Their would-be statesmen were compelled to discover mundane bonds of cohesion, which, after some fumbling, resulted in the Constitution Of These United States, one of the noblest secular documents conceived by the mind of man. Yet prayer had its place in the deliberations of the Founders. Invocations of The Almighty had the happy result of reminding the participants of the ethical foundations that the best of their number shared, without regard to the sign on the temple portal entered by each individual member. The Founders were respected men capable of respecting other men. Most of them were good men, sensible of the approbation (or disapproval) of the Supreme Author of their Faiths. We are fortunate in their characters.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I think this entire discussion is a waste of effort. I disagree with most of what Mr. Romney says, but... [MORE]	John House	Dec 9, 2007 11:33
What I find amusing and disturbing is that there is a large proportion of America, poorly educated on both the... [MORE]	Fred Willis	Dec 8, 2007 11:55
While Central Europe relied upon religious orthodoxy to confer legitimacy upon the reigning sovereign, the result was the unhealthy accretion...	Claude Bogardus	Dec 8, 2007 11:19
I submit that it was Duche's mistake to loose faith in the cause of freedom, not Adam's mistake to have... [MORE]	A. Keller	Dec 7, 2007 11:32
The Constitution rules out any law making any religious belief a criterion for office. But the electorate can take into account... [MORE]	Joel Meyers	Dec 8, 2007 14:44
In referring to Samuel Adams's invocation of prayer at the first Continental Congress, Governor Mitt Romney belies his argument that... [MORE]	Bart	Dec 7, 2007 01:37
I agree with Bart's comment above. I do, unfortunately, think Mitt Romney has the same "self-serving motives" as our founding... [MORE]	Rebecca	Dec 7, 2007 11:31
Regardless of Sam Adam's motives or Jacob Duche's ultimate disgrace, the gist of what Mr. Romney said is profoundly true.... [MORE]	Dan Dismuke	Dec 7, 2007 14:50
There is nothing shameFUL in enticing, provoking, cajoling, otherwise attempting to persuade others to invoke and reflect upon their own... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Dec 7, 2007 17:47
While my religious beliefs are not in agreement with Mr. Romney's, I can at least refrain from chiding him for... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Dec 9, 2007 04:46
Your insight is a reason I deliberately read viewpoints I disagree with. You are very insightful. Thanks isn't a strong... [MORE]	John House	Dec 9, 2007 12:39

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