Washington’s Prayer

I found it interesting to read in the paper that a group called “The Freedom from Religion Foundation” in Madison, Wisconsin took exception with a local school district’s core values. The district had a statement that included “belief in God” as a core value. The Freedom from Religion Foundation web site referred to this as “suspect wording” that is in violation of the First Amendment. An attorney by the name of Rebecca Kratz sent a protesting letter on behalf of the foundation.
The First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified by Congress on December 15, 1791 states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Of course, Congress had nothing to do with establishing the school’s core values, including “belief in God.” And since when does “belief in God” establish a religion? And if so, which religion does it establish?
This is just an egregious action by the Freedom from Religion Foundation to impose its (atheistic) belief system, which is a religion, on others through intimidation.
As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, George Washington wrote a letter to the thirteen governors of the states. Entitled “Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of all the States on the Disbanding of the Army”, Washington made a plea that the leaders of the newly born nation conduct themselves in a way that honored God. The letter states,
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”
Washington’s advice was generally followed and a great nation was born. You will observe, I hope, that his vision for The United States was established upon the foundation of belief in God - “that God would have you, and the State over which you preside…”
We would do well to learn from George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and others who, in seeking wisdom and strength of character have chosen “belief in God” as one of their core values. You know, like the local school district has chosen to do.
Our country was established by people who had “belief in God”. If you ever question it, remember
Washington’s prayer.