We receive a small local newspaper, and we were intrigued by a recent article dealing with the Christian heritage of our nation. It was about a seasoned member of mainstream acadamia who had just discovered that George Washington was a Christian. It was such a discovery that she even wrote a book about it, and was not afraid to admit that it was entirely contrary to the popular opinion of the day that he was a deist. I knew that the public eduction system tries to minimize the Christian heritage of our nation, but it is shocking to see this ignorance first-hand in even elderly members of our society. It's good to know what viewpoint most people have had ingrained into them, but also motivating to go out and proclaim the truth. In response, Mom and I wrote the following letter to the editor of the South County Chronicle. It would be amazing if they printed this, but at least someone will benefit:
It was so refreshing to hear a voice on the religious heritage of America, in the article on George Washington’s Religion Studied (vol. 8 no. 10). I applaud Mary Thompson for her willingness to actively pursue the truth about George Washington’s Christian faith. Anyone studying the voluminous writings of the founding fathers is well aware of the overwhelming evidence supporting their Christian faith and worldview. Why do we ignore these men who speak for themselves in their original documents?
Not only was Washington a Christian, but also many other important figures in America’s past. Columbus, when his expedition found its first nugget of gold, sent it back to Queen Isabel that she may “see the miracle of the Lord and remember whom she ought to thank for it.” William Bradford begins the Mayflower Compact by saying, “Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith…” When charged to "Lay down your arms in the name of George the Sovereign King of England", the colonists' response was, “We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!”
As an educator, I have taken the responsibility to make sure my family understands their Christian heritage. But what about the public at large and those educated solely in the public school system? As Thompson states, the truth “is bucking the last 80 years of Washington interpretation” - 80 years of rewritten and “politically correct” history. Landmarks are even being removed which point to the Christian heritage. For example, two splendid stained glass windows, depicting such things as the founding fathers worshiping with open Bibles, were removed from the historical Christ Church (Philadelphia) in 1986 and replaced with clear glass!
How will losing this rich heritage influence our present society and the security of future generations? Thomas Jefferson says, “Can the liberties of a nation be sure when we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift from God?” It is in uncertain times as these that we need such conviction more than ever.