Monday, June 15, 2009

Treaty of Tripoli & George Washington

Obama quoted from the Treaty of Tripoli in 1797, article 11, "the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion."

John Eidsmoe's book, Christianity and the Constitution tells us that some erroneously claim this shows Washington was a deist. Yet there is evidence that article 11 may not have been part of the treaty since Article 11 of the Barlow translation with its famous phrase, "the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion," does not exist at all. There is no Article 11.

The treaty never reached the president’s desk till John Adams who was the actual signer. A new treaty made with Tripoli in April 17, 1806 does NOT include this phrase.



George Washington referred to Jesus Christ as “The divine author of our blessed religion."

"Every officer and man will endeavor so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country."

"Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society."

To the Delaware chiefs Washington said, “You will do well to learn our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ."


~Lance

1 comment:

Nick Jesch said...

When I read that part of his speech, I never connected that sentence with anything George Washington ever said. Haivng studied even the little I have on the man (Washington, that is) I knew he never would have said such a thing, in fact he is known to have said quite the opposite, as shown in your continued post. But, I was unaware of the various "versions" of that treaty, and so I thank you for digging that out and putting it before us. Interesting that our current occupant of the Executive Mansion chose to quote that one line, falsely attributed to George Washington, and counter to everything else he said and did, to support his own agenda. Which agenda is at cross-purposes to so much of what has come before in our history. I shake my head and wonder "how far will he take this agenda of his?"