Guy's Books and Thoughts

I just finished reading a book by Michael Novak and his daughter Jana
about the faith of George Washington. They argue that Washington was NOT a deist, but a Christian who was somewhat reserved or reticent about expressing his faith. He was an Anglican who believed strongly in Providence. The deist by contrast believed in a God who wound up the world and set it on it's course. Appeals to Providential intervention would make no sense to the deist. The authors say that if one classifies Washington as a deist, one would have to make so many qualifications that the term, deist, would become meaningless.

The authors do include excerpts of Washington's writings. The writings
seem to indicate there are no atheists in foxholes.

I am not sure if one can decisively say that Washington was or was not
a Christian because, he left no Confession of faith, like Lady Jane Grey. But Washington was certainly no secularist. The authors also make an interesting point that those who claim the founding fathers to
be deists are accusing the them of hypocrisy stating that the public
religious proclamations by the founding fathers were window dressing and that they did not mean what they said. I would say if that is the case, then one might argue that nothing means what it says or the ten commandments don't mean what they say. Another point the authors make is that Washington in his lifetime was perceived a Christian, unlike Thomas Jefferson, who was attacked in his life time for his deist beliefs.

Perhaps Washington set an example of Civil Religion. But civil religion and Confessional Christianity do not always coincide.
The authors argue that Washington did not publicly state his views
on doctrinal matters in order not to offend one religious group or
another. He did ban certain anti Catholic celebrations such as
Guy Fawkes day.

I wonder what would happen if someone were to repeat the words of
George Washington today? I suspect the ACLU would denonce those
words saying that it was a violation of the "separation of church and
state." His public proclamations do not really talk about Jesus. But he does encourage attendance of his soldier at the divine services. I suspect that would not go over well with the ACLU today.

I am glad the author's include Washington's writings. Too often I have
seen the claim that Washington was a deist with no quotes from his
writings. I do remember reading in another book where Washington
writes to the person saying that he hopes that person conducts himself
like a good Christian. Note Christian, not deist.

Guy