Religion And The Founding Fathers

[iamjoy]

Our local paper (Orlando Sentinel) has been publishing several letters to the editor about whether or not our Founding Fathers wanted us to be a Christian nation, or were we founded on Christian principles, and everyone is quoting different documents. But no one brings up the moral culture of the time and I am thinking of submitting this letter (what do you all think):


The Sentinel has published several letters discussing what our Founding Fathers intended with regard to religion (specifically Christianity), and to what extend it should influence our culture and laws. We would do well to remember that the Constitution and laws our Founding Fathers established only recognized white males as having full rights under this democracy. They did nothing to prevent human bondage; many actually owned slaves. Legally, women were little more than chattel. Early laws permitted treating the native populations (then referred to as heathens or savages) horrendously. All of these attitudes were in keeping with the religious and social attitudes of the time. This is not to insult our Founding Fathers or Christianity. Instead, we should be aware that the social climate changes, and so must our laws. Ideas shocking and possibly immoral to the Founding Fathers (Negroes holding office, ladies voting) are now widely accepted. Thankfully, our Founding Fathers were wise enough to recognize that our nation would change and they created a flexible document. If we are to presume anything about their intent, it should be that.