[mugs99]

The proof that Washington was not a Deist was that he very publicly called for prayers that God might intervene in human events.

"While Washington was very deferential to religion and its ceremonies, like nearly all the founders of the Republic, he was not a Christian, but a Deist."...Ashbel Green, Presbyterian minister who was a close personal friend of George Washington.

This debate arose very soon after Washington's death. That's why Ashbel Green was asked about it. Most of the early "Washington was a Christian" stories were published by Mason Locke Weems, a Christian preacher who promoted the myth of George Washington and Christianity. He is also the one who invented the myth of Washington and the cherry tree. Preacers ever since have expanded on these Weems fables.

By definition, a Deist does not accept the notion of an interventionist deity.

True, but a Deist will pray along with Christians if doing so will give them comfort. Deists are not opposed to praying. They just don't believe in petition. "Thank You" is the only Deist prayer.

Nature's Law, Morality, Providence, God...All one, all the same. You can think of it as Karma.
.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Every time I read one of these threads, I picture debates a few hundred years from now, in which devotees of literal Christianity post the staged pictures of Bill and Hillary walking up to the entrance of a Church (while Bill was President), both carrying Bibles and smiling for the cameras, and say "See, they were Church-going, Bible-believing Christians!".