What Would George Washington Say About President Obama?
Washington: A Devout Christian
That Washington was devout in his faith was confirmed by Isaac Potts, a Quaker, who also lived near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, when the Continental Army, led by Washington, was wintering there under much duress. As a Quaker, Potts was a pacifist who opposed the war until he had a life-changing experiencing while riding through the woods one day during, perhaps, the bleakest period of the war. He said:
“I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling and went quietly into the woods and to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis, and the cause of the country, of humanity and of the world. Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home and told my wife I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before, and just related to her what I had seen and heard and observed. We never thought a man could be a soldier and a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington” (Eddie Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, 67-68).
It was Washington who began a tradition, and demonstrated his respect for the Bible, by choosing to be sworn into office with his hand resting on a Bible. It was Washington, who immediately after his inauguration, proceeded along with Congress to St. Paul’s Chapel to participate in a worship service and to ask God’s blessing on his administration and the nation. It was Washington, who upon reflecting on his life and role in the formation of a new nation, wrote, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Washington obviously saw no conflict between his faith in God and his duties as a soldier and a statesman. He, in fact, saw faith in God as a necessary component for success in these areas. This was also true of even the most nonreligious Founders, such as Franklin and Jefferson, who believed that the morals and values derived from Christianity were vital for the health and success of the nation. They, therefore, desired that Christianity be promoted and taught in the public arena. This is why Mark Hall, Professor of Politics at George Fox University, has said:
“America’s Founders did not want Congress to establish a national church, and many opposed establishments at the state level as well. Yet they believed, as George Washington declared in his Farewell Address, that of ‘all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.’ Moreover, almost without exception, they agreed that civic authorities could promote and encourage Christianity and that it was appropriate for elected officials to make religious arguments in the public square. There was virtually no support for contemporary visions of a separation of church and state that would have political leaders avoid religious language and require public spaces to be stripped of religious symbols.”
“Unpatriotic” According to Washington
It is obvious that a serious fundamental change has been taking place in our nation that involves the removal of the two pillars—Christianity and morality—that Washington said are indispensable for the success of the nation. Who can deny this is happening when prayer and Bible reading have been outlawed from the public schools, when the Ten Commandments, crosses and Scripture verses have been ordered removed from public facilities, when nativity scenes are no longer allowed in public squares and Christmas trees are now called holiday trees? Who can deny that the two pillars of which Washington spoke are being attacked when religious liberty is being attacked from the highest echelons of government?
What would Washington think of a commander in chief who remains silent when a government bureaucrat orders that Christian prayers cannot be prayed at a Veteran’s Administration cemetery, and when the Walter Reed Army Hospital bans the Bible from its premises? (both orders were rescinded after firestorms of protest). What would Washington think of a presidency that seeks to force privately owned businesses to provide services that violate their conscience and religious convictions. What would Washington think of self-serving politicians on both sides of the political aisle who refuse to take stands on moral issues for fear of jeopardizing their political careers?
What would Washington think of churches and ministers who capitulate to popular culture and refuse to take a biblical stand on moral issues. “Silence gives consent,” is a maxim affirmed by Thomas Jefferson who said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
In this same Farewell Address, Washington told us what he thinks of those who would undermine the two pillars of Christianity and morality. He said, “In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness.” In other words, any pastor, politician, government official, educator or entertainer who would undermine the influence of Christianity and morality in America is, in the words of our Founding Father, “Unpatriotic.”
Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, historian and Bible teacher. He is the founder of The Revive America Project, which is dedicated to reclaiming the vision and restoring the hope for another Great Awakening in America and around the world. His books on the church and revival are available from Amazon and from his website at eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html.
