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To: StonyBurk

It is interesting that you mention Franklin and Jefferson. I think the evidence on those two is overwhelming that they were deist (http://www.nobeliefs.com/jefferson.htm). However they both still were members of churches, and presumably attended them.

However many of the founding fathers were some denomination of christianity. I think it is amazing what the founders did. Our nation was the first civilization in the history of the world that, at least on paper, allowed anyone to worship how they wanted. The first time that the state was seperate from the church. Of course after the great revival in the early 1800s I think everything else lost favor especially deism.


Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.

-Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom


19 posted on 12/13/2004 6:21:30 AM PST by armordog99
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To: armordog99

Jeffersons' State act for religious freedom is interesting,
However The eviddence suggests the Virginia plan was not
the sole basis for our First Amendment.Several of the States
insisted upon a Bill of Rights.And I find it interesting I
have seen no evidence that the Mohammedan,or Hindoo,or Infidel ever took up Jefferson on plan for the University
of Viriginia. though Franklin,and Jefferson were widely accepted as Deist It was Franklin who proposed "We are assured ,Sir,in the Secred writings that:'Except the Lord
build the house they labor in vain that build it." I firmly
believe this,and I aslo believe that withouthis concurring aid we shall succeeed in this political building no better
than the Builders of Babel."Suggesting a personal belief not
only in the BiblicalTruths but there was a role for religion
in government.An understanding of the establishment clause
reflected in US S.Ct. Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board v. Piretti 515 US (1995)


21 posted on 12/13/2004 7:17:58 AM PST by StonyBurk
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