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Seventh Annual Report of the Board of Education by Horace Mann

Seventh Annual Report of the Board of Education by Horace Mann

Horace Mann 1844 Education reformer Horace Mann argued that the Bible by itself—when presented without commentary—was pure and universal, making “the perfect example of Jesus Christ” lovely in their eyes. But he opposed Catholic proposals to allow both Protestant and Catholic translations of the Bible to be taught. Here he explains why: And by allowing and enforcing two different religions, the government proclaims its own absurdity, for both cannot be right. Two opposites may both be wrong, but, while truth…

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine January 10, 1776 Tom Paine later was a prominent Deist, viewed by many church leaders as a threat and heretic because he didn’t accept the Bible as literal truth. As a result, it’s often forgotten that his seminal revolutionary rallying cry made heavy use of the Bible. MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley

Thomas Jefferson April 9, 1803 In 1803, Jefferson had hoped that someone other than he would write a book on the true merits of Christianity. He eventually wrote a “Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus.” Here is a letter he sent to Joseph Priestley, the scientist who discovered Oxygen and had written extensively on Christianity, explaining his project. He later would return to the project and create what came to be known as the…

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Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813

John Adams December 25, 1813 Though praising Christianity, Adams also finds much that he likes in Eastern religions. Joseph Priestley was a leading scientist and theologian, who helped found Unitarianism. Answer my letter at your leisure. Give yourself no concern. I write as a refuge and protection against ennui. The fundamental principle of all philosophy and all Christianity is, “Rejoice always in all things.” “Be thankful at all times for all good, and all that we call evil.” Will it…

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Diary of John Adams, February 22, 1756

Diary of John Adams, February 22, 1756

John Adams February 22, 1756 February 22 SUNDAY. Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony,…

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Diary of John Adams, February 02, 1756

Diary of John Adams, February 02, 1756

John Adams February 2, 1756 Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony, drunkenness, or Lust-no…

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Letter from George Washington to John Rogers, June 11, 1783

Letter from George Washington to John Rogers, June 11, 1783

George Washington June 11, 1783 Washington supports the distribution of Bibles to the troops. Head Quarters, June 11, 1783. Dear Sir: I accept, with much pleasure your kind Congratulations on the happy Event of Peace, with the Establishment of our Liberties and Independence. Glorious indeed has been our Contest: glorious, if we consider the Prize for which we have contended, and glorious in its Issue; but in the midst of our Joys, I hope we shall not forget that, to…

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Letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 1763

Letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 1763

Benjamin Franklin June 6, 1763 George Whitefield was a leader of the Great Awakening, a period of evangelical resurgence around 1838-1840. Though Franklin disagreed with Whitefield theology, he helped promote his efforts by publicizing him in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which he owned. However, he disagreed with Whitefield’s notion that the grace of God, rather than good works, determined salvation. FOR my own part, when I am employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as conferring favors, but…

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Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771

Benjamin Franklin January 1, 1771 Written later in his life, this Autobiography recalled the phase when he called himself a “Deist.” Despite that appellation, he later did seem to believe that God intervened in the course of his life and America’s history, a not-very-Deist perspective. Part XX Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles and morals, that you may…

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A New Version of the Lord’s Prayer by Benjamin Franklin

A New Version of the Lord’s Prayer by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin January 1, 1768   “Heavenly Father, may all revere thee, and become thy dutiful Children and faithful Subjects; may thy Laws be obeyed on Earth as perfectly as they are in Heaven: Provide for us this Day as thou hast hitherto daily done: Forgive us our Trespasses, and enable us likewise to forgive those that offend us. Keep us out of Temptation, and deliver us from Evil.” Reasons for the Change of Expression Old Version. Our Father which…

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