Presidential Faith:The beliefs and practices of notable American Presidents

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George Washington

First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.

Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere . . . his example was edifying . . . as were the effects of his lasting example.

~ Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall (as related by Henry Lee)

A Man of His Times

• Family upbringing• Education•Wife – Martha• Adult practices• By the standards of the second half of the

18th c., Washington was a fairly religious man

Intellectual and Spiritual Influences

• His family tradition and wife• Bible• Enlightenment and Stoic thought

(Alexander Pope, Voltaire, Thomas Paine)• Deism (“warm deist,” “enlightened deist”)• Anglicanism, Episcopal Church• Free Masonry (early 20s)

Arguments FOR Washington’s Faith

• His ascriptions to “Providence” or the “Almighty”• His actions in the military• His actions as President• His actions as a civilian

Arguments AGAINST Washington’s Faith

• Parson Weem’s historical account

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Arguments AGAINST Washington’s Faith

• Parson Weem’s historical account• No confirmation• Did not take communion• Less active in church at Mt. Vernon• Lack of reference to Jesus Christ• At death, did not call for clergyman• Personal habits• Slaves

Conclusions about Washington’s Faith

• Sincerely religious man•Man of high character and ethics• Participated regularly in religious activities• Did not like public displays of faith• Did not write about his personal faith•Was more of a “theistic rationalist” or

“warm deist” than an “Orthodox Christian”

Presidential Faith

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