Any pastor, politician, government official, educator or entertainer
who would do this, is in the words of our Founding Father, “Unpatriotic.”
who would do this, is in the words of our Founding Father, “Unpatriotic.”
In his Farewell Address to the nation, after serving two
terms as president, George Washington presented two things as being "indispensable" for national prosperity, and then warned against the supposition that anyone could be a patriot who would
seek to subvert these two pillars of “political prosperity” and “human happiness.”
Thomas Jefferson was so impressed with Washington’s Address that he made it
required reading at the University of Virginia, which he founded.
The two things Washington warned are "indispensable" for political prosperity were "religion and
morality." We should note that
when Washington, or any of the Founders, use the word “religion” the word
“Christianity” can be substituted. “Christianity” and “religion” were
synonymous to them. And while they were tolerant of other religions, they were
not “religious pluralists” in the modern sense. They unashamedly derived their morals and
values from Christianity—from the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament.
Christianity
Indispensable for Political Prosperity
Note that Washington referred to religion [Christianity] as “indispensable”
to political prosperity. He did not see faith as a mere right or something to be
tolerated, but as something indispensable to the well-being of the nation.
Washington knew that people derive their values from
religion and that a free republic could only be maintained by a moral and
virtuous people. All the Founders, in fact, wanted Christian values and
principles taught in in every public venue because they believed such to be
vital for political prosperity and social stability. This is what John Adams
was referring to when he said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and
religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other.”
Interestingly, the very things Washington considered “indispensable”
for political prosperity—morality and Christianity--are the very things under
attack today in our nation, and the very things so many of our political
leaders seem hell-bent on removing from the public life of the nation.
Pillars for Human Happiness
Washington referred to Christianity and morality, not only
as indispensable for political prosperity, but as the “two great pillars of
human happiness” and the “firmest props of the duties of citizens.” Washington
and all the Founders believed there to be a direct link between morality and happiness,
and in this Farewell Address Washington insisted that morality could not be maintained
apart from Christianity. He said;
“And let us with
caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without
religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on
minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect
that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
The Criteria for Patriotism
So, for Washington, Christianity and morality were absolute
necessities for both individual happiness and for political stability.
Therefore, anyone who would seek to subvert "Christianity and morality" could not claim to be a patriot for by doing so they
would be undermining the happiness of the people and stability of the Republic they claim to serve. He said,
“In
vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to
subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the
duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man,
ought to respect and to cherish them.
In other words, any pastor, politician, government official, educator or entertainer who would undermine the influence of Christianity and morality in America, is in the words of our Founding Father, “Unpatriotic.”
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Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, Biblical scholar and ordained minister with a vision for another Great Awakening in America and around the world. His books are available from Amazon and from his website atwww.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. To invite him to speak to your congregation, group or event, send an email to dreddiehyatt@gmail.com.
