UNPATRIOTIC: ACCORDING TO GEORGE WASHINGTON

Any pastor, politician, government official, educator or entertainer
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.