A good portion of my decision to vote for Obama was because he is black. Since I was a child whenever I read or saw pictures America's shameful racist past I felt sorry. It's not something I did, but we did and somehow it's our responsibility to do what we can to make it right. Once when I was a kid I was skateboarding with my black friend and a couple white guys called me a n-lover. I couldn't understand it. I felt so sorry to my friend for their sickness. I felt with Obama that, while he's not perfect, no one is, and he seems like a good man and has a serious grasp of the issues facing us. He had my vote. It was that simple for me.
i am sorry, but to vote for someone just because of the color of his skin is racist... black or white.. the picture is cool, and i am all for unity between blacks and whites.. if their had of been a black candidate who stood behind Christian values i would have absolutely no problem at all voting for him..... but their was not... obama was elected oresident, however, and he does deserve our respect and prayers... (responding more to the comment than the original post...)
Well, I am moved by that series of pictures, and I think it is more than a hope, in order to have a black President we show great progress has been made in race relations. Great progress. Thirty years ago it could not have happened. I'm proud of America that we have come this far. That being said, I did not vote for him because of too many differences, but we have sent a message to the world that a country that once legalized slavery, now has a black President. I'll rejoice in that, it is a huge step forward. But like Joey said, now we need to pray. Love Dad
Racism is unjust... voting for a black man while understanding and with hope of America's future and past is not unjust.
I don't think it's that easy to agree what Christian values are. Life is not pulling scriptures out of the Bible to suit our situations. We might be bleeding that vein dry.
are christian values pro-life? or caring for the poor? which one has more weight? can we decide? its not our job to do decide who has more christian values, but who would lead a country well and justly. i think obama can do that. -christian
"Racism is unjust... voting for a black man while understanding and with hope of America's future and past is not unjust."
I agree that racism is unjust...but voting for a black man who is not qualified to leave this country somehow thinking that makes up for slavery and racism in the past is racism!!! It goes back to affirmative action...that is racism, saying someone should get a job or a vote only because of the color of their skin...and that's why affirmative action was ruled unconstitutional and thrown out... now if you truly support what the man stands for that's a different story... but what makes me very mad is that you said a big part of the reason you voted for him is because he is black... that should never, ever even be a factor in your decision...
Christian said:
"are christian values pro-life? or caring for the poor? which one has more weight? can we decide?"
I think I can say without a shadow of a doubt that stopping the slaughter of unborn babies far outweighs caring for the poor... That's not even open for discussion.. Why should it come down to if we help the poor we are gonna end up murdering the unborn? Socialism is what it comes down to... Don't you see that? Murder your unborn child if you don't want to raise it... Then there will be less poor... Socialism of course is born out of Darwinism... Watch the movie Expelled: No intelligence allowed and you'll see what i'm talking about.. Socialism is NOT helping the poor.. Go to cuba, ask people from russia why so many of them moved here...
That said, Obama is now our President, and needs our prayers...
Racism is tied to injustice. There isn't anything wrong with having someones vote influenced by the candidates race or faith for that matter if it isn't hostile. And it's not unfair or unreasonable.
Imagine if you were choosing to eat at a restaurant and one was authentic Mexican food and the other was Taco Bell. If you chose to eat at the authentic food place, would you be racist? It's not that you decided to not eat at Taco Bell for some reason, but you decided to eat at the authentic one because you know the food will be better. That's not racism, it's your choice based on experience and rational thought, not hate or anger...
I would be the first to argue against someone given advantage in any race based on race. But a persons vote is personal, they can make their own mind based on experience and reason.
If you don't think race played an issue in this election, I think you're mistaken. For it not to would be unrealistic. But what is exciting is that Obama probably won because he is black. It helped. I was surprised.
As far as abortion goes, all of us hate it. But don't go thinking it will go away if you outlaw it, or decide to mentally block out any person that might think differently towards how to deal with it than you.
It might not matter at this point, so don't get mad. The brother's at the helm and the future it bright.
in the end, its the mothers who are making the decision to murder their child, and god will judge them accordingly.
obama is not a socialist he may have values reminiscent of socialism but to label him as a socialist is a bit of an overstatement.
obama may have won cuz he is black but that symbolizes a new time in our nation a time of equality, which is beyond his skin color its the principle. i think skin color is alone a bad way to vote, but making up for our racist past and electing a president that seems to have some decent honest ideas that may work in our current crisis, that i can live with. -christian
The fact that our country has progressed to the point where we can elect a black man as president is great.. The problem I have, is that a lot of people voted for him ONLY BECAUSE he is black, and didn't really care about the issues... the is racism in reverse... If you believe in what the man stands for on the issues, then vote for him...white, black, yellow or green! :-) My point in tying in abortion with socialism is that they both come out of marxism, which comes out of darwinism, and a belief in no God...I was trying to point out the whole democratic party "agenda"... Why do you think candidates who want to help out the poor usually support abortion rights? It's all part of the agenda... No, I am not saying we should not help out the poor..but we certainly don't want socialism! Thank God for the checks and balances we have in this county....although if those doing the checks and balances have the same agenda..........gulp So, prayers for all of those who rule over us...God is ultimately in control.
Nobody voted for Obama just because he was black. He's intelligent, ran a great campaign and had a white grandma! Socialism is the new communism for instilling hate and fear in small minds. Be careful of McCarthyism.
maybe nobody here did.... but a lot of people did.. anyways, i am trying to avoid any negativity on this lovely sunday morning... so........the man is our president now, whatever his views are, he deserves our respect and prayers.. on that we can agree? amen?
Let's just remember to frame our convos in questions and opinions not accusations or labels or in fighting language. We desire to hear "why" people voted for whoever and be respectful even if you disagree. I desire to allow divercity to flower here without fear of getting bodyslammed. And I myself will work at fostering a platform to help that. It's fine to not agree but let's not demonize each other. Not that a lot of that happens. But I want to learn to encourage more sharing not less. Fear of attack leads to silence.
sorry, pastor... as i mentioned to you after church this morning, your blog and the comments here are very mild compared to some of the blogs and message boards that i visit... i never meant to attack any person, just ideas i believe are ungodly.. i'll try to word things a little differently... sorry if i offended anyone... we wrestle not with flesh and blood... a lot of the church is being deceived.. we just need to remember what we are fighing...and that is sure not each other....
Joey...you're fine bro...dont sweat nothing, I value your input and passion...God knows its better than the flatline that most people give in response to these very important subjects.
I just want to be an example in grace in ways that in the past I have not always been. I want fledgling writers, debaters, pontificators and fellow bone gnawers to feel sage to engage ideas without it becoming personal.
People can be sincerely wrong and not be our enemies. Everyone is attempting to walk in the light they have...the more light the better...but being faithful in the light you have is what you will be judged by.
I appreciate you and welcome your growing desire to find ways to steer people to the the truth. You and Mary are a blessing to our church body.
Now..as a you may or may not know, Matt, is my younger brother by blood and Christian is my eldest son...so obviously your are walking on thin ice.
I took no offense. I didn't mean to offend either, but I stand my ground.
I'm proud to have voted for Obama. One of reasons I did is because he is black, with the hope that the "strange fruit" of America's past can in a way be put further behind us. It's not the only reason I voted for him, but it was the one that meant the most to me.
I think calling people racist and socialists for doing so is ridiculous not offensive. To do so undercuts the severity of what real racism is.
Obama is just a man, he's not a hero. I know better than to expect too much. What I consider the biggest victory is the fact that race relations are moving forward. I don't expect him to fill every promise or save me.
Our promise is bright but we are still here and until we arrive we do what we can.
I hold these views but I get no respect Theo says that's not theologically correct
My grandmother's up there waiting She spoke to me one night She said "there are millions of us praying that you will be alright."
Jesus spoke to me only once audibly for sure When I was down on my luck, He offered me the cure He said "This trial is over" I haven't heard that voice since then We both agree I'm a sinner, and what happens in the end
I had a quarter in my pocket I pumped way too much gas and like those bread and fishies my little quarter turned to cash
I said that God's a mystery so much that's hard to tell Theo said I wasn't going to heaven then I'll see him down in hell
I hold these views but I get no respect I guess that we just don't philosophically connect aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh...
I realize I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, and it's demonstrated by the fact I can't understand the meaning of the song. What is the message in it? I enjoy reading this interaction, and especially because both of my sons and grandson are in it, I definetly have a dog in this fight. But I appreciate the thoughts and the way you all are handling such a hot topic. I have to say I completely understand what Matt is saying, could be because he's my son, but more than that, I truly think this is a historic event in America. Again, much to Matt's chagrin I didn't vote for Obama, but it was the closest I ever came to voting for a Democrat, and had he been more moderate on his abortion stance I probably would have voted for him despite other idealogical differences. I have little confidence in McCain and the Republicans should have done better, in my modest, barely informed opinion. But if you are poor, and one child is blind for the lack of protein, and the other died of starvation, we would be hard pressed to say that poverty is less an evil than abortion, where regardless of the evil choice of the parent, the child's soul is swept into eternal life without 70 years of suffering. Now having said that, I don't necessarily think the Democrates are saviors for the poor, puuuulease, hardly. But truth is, in my estimation, the US majority is tired of the war and Obama convinced the majority he could bring it to an end quicker. I think that issue and the youth of Americas pride that we will have a black President is what swayed the vote. Anyway, that's my take on it. God bless, Fred
"....The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - Abraham Lincoln
Ralph Nader rallied with thousands of supporters on the steps of the New York Stock Exchange to protest banking deregulation that both major parties supported in 2002.
He warned that Wall Street had turned into a "speculative casino ridden by corruption, deception and crime" that would create an economic crisis.
Washington's politicians ignored him.
I guess he was right.
The two primarily responsible for the economic crisis - Phil Gramm and Robert Rubin, designers of banking deregulation and free trade are now top economic advisers of McCain and Obama.
Obama's withdrawal plan from Iraq would allow 50,000 U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for years to come.
Obama and McCain believe sending troops into Afghanistan will pacify that country even though the Russian invasion of the 80's failed miserably.
Should we support Pakistan airstrikes? Both candidates did.
McCain and Obama want to increase our military budget regardless of the fact that the US spends more on defense than the entire rest of the world combined.
Obama's pro-choice record speaks for itself. Late term abortion support, rallying to all who support abortion as an easy way out, a solution to a common mistake, etc.
McCain's "leadership" abilities do not outweigh Obama's by any stretch.
The fact that Obama is black and was elected is indeed a giant leap for the US in many ways, and I think it a justifiable reason to vote if we can support any type of "single issue" reasoning.
There were a great many reasons not to vote for either party in my humble opinion. Not just one.
World hunger is something everyone with more than enough will be responsible and held accountable for, not just the administrations, although they are indeed responsible for their poor and needy as well.
Ultimately I must rest in knowing that God is in control and he knows what he is doing. No amount of my praying one way or the other is going to sway God's decision to appoint whomever he chooses.
Our job now is to pray for and offer our due diligence to helping further God's Kingdom within the constructs of our current administration.
George Washington said "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. 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 man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? 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. It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?"
20 comments:
A good portion of my decision to vote for Obama was because he is black. Since I was a child whenever I read or saw pictures America's shameful racist past I felt sorry. It's not something I did, but we did and somehow it's our responsibility to do what we can to make it right. Once when I was a kid I was skateboarding with my black friend and a couple white guys called me a n-lover. I couldn't understand it. I felt so sorry to my friend for their sickness. I felt with Obama that, while he's not perfect, no one is, and he seems like a good man and has a serious grasp of the issues facing us. He had my vote. It was that simple for me.
i am sorry, but to vote for someone just because of the color of his skin is racist... black or white..
the picture is cool, and i am all for unity between blacks and whites..
if their had of been a black candidate who stood behind Christian values i would have absolutely no problem at all voting for him.....
but their was not...
obama was elected oresident, however, and he does deserve our respect and prayers...
(responding more to the comment than the original post...)
Well, I am moved by that series of pictures, and I think it is more than a hope, in order to have a black President we show great progress has been made in race relations. Great progress. Thirty years ago it could not have happened. I'm proud of America that we have come this far. That being said, I did not vote for him because of too many differences, but we have sent a message to the world that a country that once legalized slavery, now has a black President. I'll rejoice in that, it is a huge step forward. But like Joey said, now we need to pray.
Love Dad
Racism is unjust... voting for a black man while understanding and with hope of America's future and past is not unjust.
I don't think it's that easy to agree what Christian values are. Life is not pulling scriptures out of the Bible to suit our situations. We might be bleeding that vein dry.
Be happy, America is leading the world again.
i agree with matt.
are christian values pro-life?
or caring for the poor?
which one has more weight?
can we decide?
its not our job to do decide who has more christian values, but who would lead a country well and justly. i think obama can do that.
-christian
Matt said:
"Racism is unjust... voting for a black man while understanding and with hope of America's future and past is not unjust."
I agree that racism is unjust...but voting for a black man who is not qualified to leave this country somehow thinking that makes up for slavery and racism in the past is racism!!! It goes back to affirmative action...that is racism, saying someone should get a job or a vote only because of the color of their skin...and that's why affirmative action was ruled unconstitutional and thrown out...
now if you truly support what the man stands for that's a different story...
but what makes me very mad is that you said a big part of the reason you voted for him is because he is black...
that should never, ever even be a factor in your decision...
Christian said:
"are christian values pro-life?
or caring for the poor?
which one has more weight?
can we decide?"
I think I can say without a shadow of a doubt that stopping the slaughter of unborn babies far outweighs caring for the poor...
That's not even open for discussion..
Why should it come down to if we help the poor we are gonna end up murdering the unborn?
Socialism is what it comes down to...
Don't you see that?
Murder your unborn child if you don't want to raise it...
Then there will be less poor...
Socialism of course is born out of Darwinism...
Watch the movie Expelled: No intelligence allowed and you'll see what i'm talking about..
Socialism is NOT helping the poor..
Go to cuba, ask people from russia why so many of them moved here...
That said, Obama is now our President, and needs our prayers...
i meant lead, not leave...lol
why doesn't this thing let you go back and edit your posts?
http://www.cashill.com/intellig_design/expelled_goes_easy.htm
Dear Joey,
Racism is tied to injustice. There isn't anything wrong with having someones vote influenced by the candidates race or faith for that matter if it isn't hostile. And it's not unfair or unreasonable.
Imagine if you were choosing to eat at a restaurant and one was authentic Mexican food and the other was Taco Bell. If you chose to eat at the authentic food place, would you be racist? It's not that you decided to not eat at Taco Bell for some reason, but you decided to eat at the authentic one because you know the food will be better. That's not racism, it's your choice based on experience and rational thought, not hate or anger...
I would be the first to argue against someone given advantage in any race based on race. But a persons vote is personal, they can make their own mind based on experience and reason.
If you don't think race played an issue in this election, I think you're mistaken. For it not to would be unrealistic. But what is exciting is that Obama probably won because he is black. It helped. I was surprised.
As far as abortion goes, all of us hate it. But don't go thinking it will go away if you outlaw it, or decide to mentally block out any person that might think differently towards how to deal with it than you.
It might not matter at this point, so don't get mad. The brother's at the helm and the future it bright.
in the end, its the mothers who are making the decision to murder their child, and god will judge them accordingly.
obama is not a socialist
he may have values reminiscent of socialism
but to label him as a socialist is a bit of an overstatement.
obama may have won cuz he is black
but that symbolizes a new time in our nation
a time of equality, which is beyond his skin color its the principle. i think skin color is alone a bad way to vote, but making up for our racist past and electing a president that seems to have some decent honest ideas that may work in our current crisis, that i can live with.
-christian
The fact that our country has progressed to the point where we can elect a black man as president is great..
The problem I have, is that a lot of people voted for him ONLY BECAUSE he is black, and didn't really care about the issues... the is racism in reverse...
If you believe in what the man stands for on the issues, then vote for him...white, black, yellow or green! :-)
My point in tying in abortion with socialism is that they both come out of marxism, which comes out of darwinism, and a belief in no God...I was trying to point out the whole democratic party "agenda"...
Why do you think candidates who want to help out the poor usually support abortion rights? It's all part of the agenda...
No, I am not saying we should not help out the poor..but we certainly don't want socialism!
Thank God for the checks and balances we have in this county....although if those doing the checks and balances have the same agenda..........gulp
So, prayers for all of those who rule over us...God is ultimately in control.
Nobody voted for Obama just because he was black. He's intelligent, ran a great campaign and had a white grandma!
Socialism is the new communism for instilling hate and fear in small minds. Be careful of McCarthyism.
maybe nobody here did....
but a lot of people did..
anyways, i am trying to avoid any negativity on this lovely sunday morning...
so........the man is our president now, whatever his views are, he deserves our respect and prayers..
on that we can agree? amen?
Let's just remember to frame our convos in questions and opinions not accusations or labels or in fighting language. We desire to hear "why" people voted for whoever and be respectful even if you disagree. I desire to allow divercity to flower here without fear of getting bodyslammed. And I myself will work at fostering a platform to help that. It's fine to not agree but let's not demonize each other. Not that a lot of that happens. But I want to learn to encourage more sharing not less. Fear of attack leads to silence.
sorry, pastor...
as i mentioned to you after church this morning, your blog and the comments here are very mild compared to some of the blogs and message boards that i visit...
i never meant to attack any person, just ideas i believe are ungodly..
i'll try to word things a little differently...
sorry if i offended anyone...
we wrestle not with flesh and blood...
a lot of the church is being deceived..
we just need to remember what we are fighing...and that is sure not each other....
Joey...you're fine bro...dont sweat nothing, I value your input and passion...God knows its better than the flatline that most people give in response to these very important subjects.
I just want to be an example in grace in ways that in the past I have not always been. I want fledgling writers, debaters, pontificators and fellow bone gnawers to feel sage to engage ideas without it becoming personal.
People can be sincerely wrong and not be our enemies. Everyone is attempting to walk in the light they have...the more light the better...but being faithful in the light you have is what you will be judged by.
I appreciate you and welcome your growing desire to find ways to steer people to the the truth. You and Mary are a blessing to our church body.
Now..as a you may or may not know, Matt, is my younger brother by blood and Christian is my eldest son...so obviously your are walking on thin ice.
lol :)
Isn't that why they call it a crowbar massage?
I took no offense. I didn't mean to offend either, but I stand my ground.
I'm proud to have voted for Obama. One of reasons I did is because he is black, with the hope that the "strange fruit" of America's past can in a way be put further behind us. It's not the only reason I voted for him, but it was the one that meant the most to me.
I think calling people racist and socialists for doing so is ridiculous not offensive. To do so undercuts the severity of what real racism is.
Obama is just a man, he's not a hero. I know better than to expect too much. What I consider the biggest victory is the fact that race relations are moving forward. I don't expect him to fill every promise or save me.
Our promise is bright but we are still here and until we arrive we do what we can.
so, you mean we don't have to agree on everything? :-)
Theo's Logic
from the album "BibleLand"
Words and Music by Terry Taylor
©1994 Twitchen Vibes/B-1 Music/ Chenka-Chenka Music/ Word Music, ASCAP
He said I wasn't going to heaven
then I'll see him down in hell
I thought I was going to heaven
Now it's very hard to tell
I hold these views but I get no respect
Theo says that's not theologically correct
My grandmother's up there waiting
She spoke to me one night
She said "there are millions of us praying
that you will be alright."
Jesus spoke to me only once
audibly for sure
When I was down on my luck,
He offered me the cure
He said "This trial is over"
I haven't heard that voice since then
We both agree I'm a sinner,
and what happens in the end
I had a quarter in my pocket
I pumped way too much gas
and like those bread and fishies
my little quarter turned to cash
I said that God's a mystery
so much that's hard to tell
Theo said I wasn't going to heaven
then I'll see him down in hell
I hold these views but I get no respect
I guess that we just don't philosophically connect
aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh...
I realize I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, and it's demonstrated by the fact I can't understand the meaning of the song. What is the message in it?
I enjoy reading this interaction, and especially because both of my sons and grandson are in it, I definetly have a dog in this fight.
But I appreciate the thoughts and the way you all are handling such a hot topic. I have to say I completely understand what Matt is saying, could be because he's my son, but more than that, I truly think this is a historic event in America. Again, much to Matt's chagrin I didn't vote for Obama, but it was the closest I ever came to voting for a Democrat, and had he been more moderate on his abortion stance I probably would have voted for him despite other idealogical differences. I have little confidence in McCain and the Republicans should have done better, in my modest, barely informed opinion.
But if you are poor, and one child is blind for the lack of protein, and the other died of starvation, we would be hard pressed to say that poverty is less an evil than abortion, where regardless of the evil choice of the parent, the child's soul is swept into eternal life without 70 years of suffering. Now having said that, I don't necessarily think the Democrates are saviors for the poor, puuuulease, hardly.
But truth is, in my estimation, the US majority is tired of the war and Obama convinced the majority he could bring it to an end quicker. I think that issue and the youth of Americas pride that we will have a black President is what swayed the vote.
Anyway, that's my take on it.
God bless,
Fred
"....The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - Abraham Lincoln
Ralph Nader rallied with thousands of supporters on the steps of the New York Stock Exchange to protest banking deregulation that both major parties supported in 2002.
He warned that Wall Street had turned into a "speculative casino ridden by corruption, deception and crime" that would create an economic crisis.
Washington's politicians ignored him.
I guess he was right.
The two primarily responsible for the economic crisis - Phil Gramm and Robert Rubin, designers of banking deregulation and free trade are now top economic advisers of McCain and Obama.
Obama's withdrawal plan from Iraq would allow 50,000 U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for years to come.
Obama and McCain believe sending troops into Afghanistan will pacify that country even though the Russian invasion of the 80's failed miserably.
Should we support Pakistan airstrikes? Both candidates did.
McCain and Obama want to increase our military budget regardless of the fact that the US spends more on defense than the entire rest of the world combined.
Obama's pro-choice record speaks for itself. Late term abortion support, rallying to all who support abortion as an easy way out, a solution to a common mistake, etc.
McCain's "leadership" abilities do not outweigh Obama's by any stretch.
The fact that Obama is black and was elected is indeed a giant leap for the US in many ways, and I think it a justifiable reason to vote if we can support any type of "single issue" reasoning.
There were a great many reasons not to vote for either party in my humble opinion. Not just one.
World hunger is something everyone with more than enough will be responsible and held accountable for, not just the administrations, although they are indeed responsible for their poor and needy as well.
Ultimately I must rest in knowing that God is in control and he knows what he is doing. No amount of my praying one way or the other is going to sway God's decision to appoint whomever he chooses.
Our job now is to pray for and offer our due diligence to helping further God's Kingdom within the constructs of our current administration.
George Washington said
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. 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 man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice?
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. It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?"
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