Five founders who were skeptical of organized Christianity and couldn't be elected today

[yortsed snacilbuper]

To hear the religious right tell it, men like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were 18th-century versions of Jerry Falwell in powdered wigs and stockings. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12022/1204849-109-0.stm?cmpid=newspanel#ixzz1kDG1UpsS

[awoke_in_2003]

1. from the article...

"Jefferson was confident that a coolly rational form of religion would take root in the fertile intellectual soil of America"

How sad is it that such a brilliant man was so wrong?

[lindysalsagal]

2. According to the McCullough biography, John Adams was on the fence alot.

He went to church but he also had words with the pastor from time to time. He believed absolutely in the separation of church and state and would be appalled with us now.

[iris27]

3. Yeah, a guy who rewrote the Bible, cutting out all miracles and ending the story

of Jesus with his burial (Jefferson) would be absolutely vilified in American politics today.

[dimbear]

4. Enthusiastic huzzahs to Colonel Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys:

Allen, a famous reprobabate, (and great hero) is the most noted nontheist among the founders, IMHO. I believe he remarked that while others considered him an atheist, he considered himself to be God's loyal opposition.

An humble enough stance.