Fundie Theocrats Using John Adams Quote

[oddbird1963]

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?

[mwc]

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

[ShallowByThyGame]

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.

[oddbird1963]

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!

[OpheliaGinger]

You have to be careful that some of those quotes are purely made up.