oddbird1963 Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 A goody-goody Christian fundamentalist posted the following quote on Facebook. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" ~John Adams It appears to be widely quoted throughout "Net-dom" but little context and analysis is provided. Mind you, I didn't do an exhaustive, lengthy search on the Web. I know that most Fundies take this quote to mean "There's no room in this country of atheists!" It reminds me of George H.W. Bush's comment that there is no room in this country for atheists. I think implicit in this interpretation is the idea that non-believers and non-conformists need to be regulated and legislated into silence and submission. However, another look at the quote makes me almost think that Adams was saying that the constitution will only work if this country is largely comprised of people of good will, responsibility and a sense of fair play. I'd like to ask the community: 1. What is the larger context of this quote? Does anyone know? 2. Which interpretation / application of this quote is most fitting to the intent of John Adams? 3. When did Fundies stop believing in "liberty and justice for all" and favoring their own brand of Sharia law? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 1. What is the larger context of this quote? Does anyone know? TO THE OFFICERS OF THE FIRST BRIGADE OF THE THIRD DIVISION OF THE MILITIA OF MASSACHUSETTS. 11 OCTOBER, 1798. GENTLEMEN, I have received from Major-General Hull and Brigadier-General Walker your unanimous address from Lexington, animated with a martial spirit, and expressed with a military dignity becoming your character and the memorable plains on which it was adopted. While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence. But should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation towards one another, and towards foreign nations, which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practising iniquity and extravagance, and displays in the most captivating manner the charming pictures of candor, frankness, and sincerity, while it is rioting in rapine and insolence, this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world; because we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. An address from the officers commanding two thousand eight hundred men, consisting of such substantial citizens as are able and willing at their own expense completely to arm and clothe themselves in handsome uniforms, does honor to that division of the militia which has done so much honor to its country. Oaths in this country are as yet universally considered as sacred obligations. That which you have taken and so solemnly repeated on that venerable spot, is an ample pledge of your sincerity and devotion to your country and its government. JOHN ADAMS. 2. Which interpretation / application of this quote is most fitting to the intent of John Adams? It's hard to say. Look up the Alien and Sedition Acts and the Quasi-War to get an idea of what was going on at the time. mwc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShallowByThyGame Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 I believe as Adams grew older, after his presidency, he became more anti-christian in his writings. His letters to Jefferson as they aged were very critical and very progressive for his time. Since these were more personal than a letter to troops, I believe they hold more weight into his mind. Adams quotes He was sometimes of the elitist opinion, though popular at that time, that religion was useful for keeping the masses controlled, but was a deist himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddbird1963 Posted March 8, 2010 Author Share Posted March 8, 2010 Dang! This is why Ex-Christian is a site that is a cut above the rest. Here, we all get substantive information and the ability to reason back in forth in dialog over important matters! Thank you so much for your input and feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OpheliaGinger Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 You have to be careful that some of those quotes are purely made up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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