| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
26 Jun 2005 06:52:28 AM |
| Object: |
A Founder on Religion |
http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/franklin-stiles.html
Letter from Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 9 March 1790
I believe in one God, creator of the universe. That he governs it by
his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most
acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other
children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with
justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take
to be the fundamental principles of all sound religion, and I regard
them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I
think the system of morals, and his religion, as he left them to us,
the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it
has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the
present dissenters in England some doubts as to his divinity; tho' it
is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and
think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an
opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm,
however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good
consequence, as it probably has, of making his doctrines more
respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive that
the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his
government of the world with any particular marks of his displeasure.
I shall only add, respecting myself, that, having experienced the
goodness of that being in conducting me prosperously thro' a long
life, I have no doubt of its continuance in the next, though without
the smallest conceit of meriting such goodness. My sentiments on this
head you will see in the copy of an old letter enclosed, which I wrote
in answer to one from a zealous religionist, whom I had relieved in a
paralytic case by electricity, and who, being afraid I should grow
proud upon it, sent me his serious though rather impertinent caution.
P.S.... I confide that you will not expose me to criticism and censure
by publishing any part of this communication to you. I have ever let
others enjoy their religious sentiments, without reflecting on them
for those that appeared to me unsupportable and even absurd. All sects
here, and we have a great variety, have experienced my good will in
assisting them with subscriptions for building their new places of
worship; and as I have never opposed any of their doctrines, I hope to
go out of the world in peace with them all.
*****************************************************************************************
You are invited to check out the following:
The Constitutional Principle: Separation of Church and State
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
[and the discussion group for the above site listed below]
HRSepCnS · Hampton Roads SepChurch&State
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/
[Its not just Hampton Roads folks who are members]
For people in Hampton Roads you are also invited to join
NORFOLK/VA. B. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE MEETUP GROUP
http://churchandstate.meetup.com/47/
Virginia Chapter Americans United for Separation of Church and State
http://au-va.org/
***************************************************************
.. . . You can't understand a phrase such as "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion" by syllogistic reasoning. Words
take their meaning from social as well as textual contexts, which is why "a
page of history is worth a volume of logic." New York Trust Co. v. Eisner,
256 U.S. 345, 349, 41 S.Ct. 506, 507, 65 L.Ed. 963 (1921) (Holmes, J.).
Sherman v. Community Consol. Dist. 21, 980 F.2d 437, 445 (7th Cir. 1992)
.. . .
****************************************************************
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
"Dedicated to combatting 'history by sound bite'."
Now including a re-publication of Tom Peters
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE HOME PAGE
and
Audio links to Supreme Court oral arguments and
Speech by civil rights/constitutional lawyer and others.
This site is a member of the following web rings:
Freethought Ring--&--Freethought, Religion & Beliefs Ring
The First Amendment Ring--&--The Church-State Ring
American History WebRing--&--The History Ring
Let Freedom Ring--&--Religious Freedom Ring
Law Issues Ring--&--Legal Research Ring
****************************************************************
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| User: "Cary Kittrell" |
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| Title: Re: A Founder on Religion |
27 Jun 2005 12:25:52 PM |
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In article <kn5tb15rajtcmkf25cq4egu4m79hm0d7eq@4ax.com> writes:
http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/franklin-stiles.html
Letter from Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 9 March 1790
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I
think the system of morals, and his religion, as he left them to us,
the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it
has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the
present dissenters in England some doubts as to his divinity; tho' it
is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and
think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an
opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble.
HAH! Now that is a line worthy of Mark Twain.
-- cary
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