From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Mon Nov 15 2004 - 15:24:54 GMT
Ian:
> I will defend anyone's rights to hold deist (a transcendent conscious
> being) religious beliefs, if it helps them get through their life, but I
> will continue to pour dismissive scorn on anyone who brings such a fairy
> tale into argument and decision making in the real world that affects me
> and my loved ones. Sorry if that appears arrogant and offensive, but it is
> not my intent.
I take it then that you would "pour dismissive scorn" on George Washington
who is his farewell address wrote:
"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 men and
citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to
respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their
connections 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."
Washington answers the question, "What is the proper source of morality
for a nation?"
I wonder what your answer might be.
Platt
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