Religious tolerance

Massachusetts Constitution of 1780

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Massachusetts January 1, 1780 It was the right as well as the duty” to worship “the Supreme Being.” While some states were moving to end the practice of having official, taxpayer-supported “established” religion, Massachusetts continued with the practice. They did, however, become more pluralistic In the sense that before the war, state support went mostly to the Congregational Church, the ancestors of the Puritans. This constitution allowed and encouraged taxpayers to provide “the support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers…

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Maryland Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Maryland January 1, 1776 The Constitution provided religious freedom for Christians; allowed for taxes to pay for church contruction, clergy salaries and other religious functions; and limited public offices to Christians. XXXIII. That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore no person ought by any law to be molested in…

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A Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

John Locke The Founding Fathers were influenced by the writings of English philosopher John Locke. Now that the whole jurisdiction of the magistrate reaches only to these civil concernments, and that all civil power, right, and dominion, is bounded and confined to the only care of promoting these things; and that it neither can nor ought in any manner to be extended to the salvation of souls, these following considerations seem unto me abundantly to demonstrate. First. Because the care of…

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Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, September 16, 1774

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

John Adams September 16, 1774 Early in the Continental Congress, it was proposed that the delegates begin the day in prayer. Some members objected since there were now so many different denominations represented. How could they find someone who could represent them all? Sam Adams (not known for his religious tolerance), broke the logjam by saying that even though he was Congregationalist, he could accept an Episcopalian preacher. His cousin, John Adams, recounts the scene. Having a Leisure Moment, while…

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George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington January 1, 1790 The liberal sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country stands unrivalled in the history of nations. The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation; and the repeated proofs which my fellow citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite…

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Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington March 15, 1790 One of Washington’s greatest contributions to religious freedom was his insistence, as Commander of the Continental Army, that Catholics be treated as equal American citizens. While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has given you an opportunity of realizing, instead…

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Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, August, 18 1790

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington August, 18 1790 For most of the Colonial era, “tolerance” meant tolerance for different denominations of Christians, and sometimes Catholics. In this famous letter, Washington declared that American tolerance included Jews, too. While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens. The reflection…

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Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 8, 1777 Washington opposed a proposal from the Continental Congress to appoint chaplains on a brigade level, instead of based on smaller regimental groups, a system that would have made it less likely that the chaplain would represent the denominations of the soldiers to which he was ministering. Such an approach, he explained, “would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess.” Instead, having chaplains matched to local sensibilities was “founded on a…

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Letter from George Washington to Benedict Arnold, September 17, 1775

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington September 17, 1775 George Washington had dispatched Arnold on an important mission to secure support from Canadians. Under the Quebec Act, Great Britain had granted Catholics in Canada tremendous religious freedom. At first, the Continental Congress attacked the Quebec Act, but Washington pointed out that attacking Catholics would undermine their efforts to secure the support of the Catholic Canadians. Here he orders Arnold to get his troops to behave honorably toward the Catholic Canadians Camp at Cambridge, September…

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