Letter Writer Misrepresented

The Founding Fathers

To the Editor:

In response to Kenneth Adams (Letter Hive, November 19), the letter he cites asserts that it’s “clearly documented” that our nation was founded on Christian principles. I cannot find this documentation; in fact, I find evidence to the contrary. Our Founding Fathers would be dismayed at being misunderstood in this way. The founders of our nation were committed to the complete separation of church and state; the idea of government supporting any religious orthodoxy was anathema to them.

Jefferson wrote extensively why Christianity should not be part of the law of the land. His views were shared by James Madison, principal architect of our constitution, who held that the establishment of a state religion could result in political tyranny and subvert liberty. Because they recognized the threat to religious and political freedom inherent in such a union, the principle of separation of church and state was written into the first amendment to the Constitution. To quote Henry Clay, “All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty.”

The Founding Fathers were inspired by Enlightenment writers, such as Locke and Rousseau, not by Christian theology. Few practiced orthodox Christianity. Most believed in Deism, a natural religion, emphasizing morality and denying any interference of a creator on the laws of the universe. It’s noteworthy that not one of the first six US presidents professed a belief in Christianity. Lincoln didn’t belong to any church, but this does not diminish his stature as a spiritual guide during the troubled Civil War years. As for the millions of non-Christians in the US, what does Mr. Adams propose — deportation?

Regarding “national identity,” I don’t know what’s meant in the claim “the idea of America being a multicultural community has only served to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.” America as a multicultural community is not an idea, it’s a fact. Our country is an amalgam of languages, customs, identities. A concept of national identity that ignores this leads to an oppressive political moralism. All citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, or origin have the right to feel they belong to our nation; it’s not just for a select few. National identity should be defined by a sharing of the cherished values on which America was founded, ideals like liberty and justice for all. An exclusionary concept of national identity that does not respect diversity is decidedly undemocratic and counter to the values upon which our nation was founded. I’m uneasy with terms like “dilute our sovereignty” because at its worst it suggests notions of racial purity espoused by the Eugenics movement in the early 20th Century. The letter submitted by Mr Adams states, “We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change.” Imagine living in the antebellum South; by this logic, i.e. accepting the status quo, I suppose the unnamed letter writer would support the continuation of the institution of slavery. Righting the wrongs of a society, and not waving a flag, is the mark of a true patriot.

The views embraced by Mr Adams are more compatible with a totalitarian regime rather than a free America. In the spirit of our Founding Fathers let’s hope that truth and reason prevail over ignorance and bigotry.

Richard Horvath

7 Phyllis Lane, Newtown                                      November 26, 2004