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To: BroJoeK
If you look up each individual in the "top tier" of our Founders -- Franklin, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Hamiltion -- you'll find that all of them were, as I've said here before, to a more-or-less degree influenced by Enlightenment Age ideas on theism/deism, Unitarian and/or Freemasonry.
All of those men are considered Christians, yet none (so far as I know) ever expressed a belief in full-blown Trinitarian theology.

Firstly, you argument from silence is invalid. Indeed, a mud puddle has more depth.

Secondly, maybe this will refresh your memory.

Franklin was responsible for bringing France into the Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonies, which proved to be of vital importance to cause of independence. He also went to Paris in August 1781 to negotiate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the War with the British on September 3, 1783. The terms of this treaty were described as “so advantageous to the Colonies that it has been called the greatest achievement in the history of American diplomacy.”500

In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent Prince George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, … and of the United States of America, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences.… Done at Paris, this third day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.

D. Hartley
John Adams
B. Franklin
John Jay

2,775 posted on 01/03/2014 11:24:51 AM PST by GarySpFc (We are saved by the precious blood of the God-man.)
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To: GarySpFc
GarySpFc: "Firstly, you argument from silence is invalid. Indeed, a mud puddle has more depth."

The only "silence" here is your refusal to read what the Founders themselves wrote.
To cite one example, in 1771 Franklin described himself as a "deist", though he still considered himself Christian.

Your quote from the diplomatic language of the Treaty of Paris hardly tells us something about Franklin's or Adams' personal beliefs.

Of course, it does certainly reflect the religious beliefs of the last Founder listed: John Jay.
John Jay was exceptional in being a traditional Trinitarian Christian amongst our "top tier" Founders.
He was Washington's personal friend, and Washington later appointed him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

That men of religious views as varied as Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and John Jay all got along, and indeed were often close personal friends -- that is the level of forbearance and respect I am asking you for, here, on Free Republic's News/Activism forum.

2,845 posted on 01/05/2014 3:30:58 AM PST by BroJoeK (a little historical perspective....)
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