When you are listing the sources of inspiration for our Declaration of Independence that coalesced in those momentous days of June/July 1776, you need to also give credit to the churches of colonial America for being a well spring of political thought grounded in sound Christian theology. For at least a century preceding the American Revolution the clergy in every denomination debated and discussed what would be the proper form of governance for a free people. The sermons that have survived from those decades make fascinating reading from both a theological and a political science perspective.
I might take a minor exception to your emphasis on the importance of Gettysburg. US Grant's victory at Vicksburg had far more significant strategic importance to the course of the Civil War and the preservation of our Union than George Meade's blocking action in Pennsylvania. This sounds like a good topic for discussion over breakfast sometime.
All interesting discussion points and yes, better sorted over breakfast. We mostly agree on the points you've made, however enabling and leading political thoughts from my reading, mostly centered on the immorality of oppressive tyranny against the colonies. This, is not to be discounted as a form of support. Where we disagree a bit, is that John Witherspoon, the Scottish-American Presbyterian minister, educator, and Founding Father of the United States, was a product of the Scottish Enlightenment and had the most influence over the thinking of Madison, the "father of our constitution." Madison, from an influential family could have attended Harvard like the majority of young men of his station in the Colonies. He chose instead, the College of New Jersey, now Princeton due to its radically progressive thinking on political thought. Madison took it from there and built our constitution after doing the deep research into all known "confederacies" or representative government, from Ancient Greece up until contemporary times, primarily in France.
Some of the most remarkable reading I've found is in the evolutionary rhetorical history of Northern Churches vs. that of Southern churches. Same bible and the rhetoric could hardly be further apart. I'm still trying to find where I saved the research I did on this subject. Google these days is of little value.
Religion in colonial times as you know, was a very diverse lot. Puritans hung Quakers on the commons in Boston during the 17th century, Washington's famous letter to the Synagogue in Newport News, Virginia's passionate frustration with the Church of England and countless other stories, make for as you said, "fascinating reading." Certainly a majority of colonists, more so in Southern States, preferred a variety of Christian leanings within the government on some level. Had it not been for founders such as Jefferson, Madison and a few others, this may have occurred. They instead peered into the future and based on their own research, insisted on vesting all Americans of other faiths, with equal rights for their faith to be as peers to Christianity. Jefferson's use of the word "creator" in the Declaration of Independence was clear concession to the Enlightenment. Americans are odd creatures when it comes to religion. We assign moral importance to the morality of religious beliefs, but not at the expense of anyone else's individual rights of conscience. This topic is of particular interest in my reading and research, and yours as well.
As for Meade's blocking action, I agree and also make mention that had not Buford identified Cemetery Ridge as the key strategic topographic element of the battle, poor Meade, new to command may not have had the legacy he does. Just my two-cents.
This is an excellent essay, Paul, as only you can write it! A great refresher on keeping the democratic republic we founded a quarter millennium ago! Keep taking us to school!
Hi Paul
When you are listing the sources of inspiration for our Declaration of Independence that coalesced in those momentous days of June/July 1776, you need to also give credit to the churches of colonial America for being a well spring of political thought grounded in sound Christian theology. For at least a century preceding the American Revolution the clergy in every denomination debated and discussed what would be the proper form of governance for a free people. The sermons that have survived from those decades make fascinating reading from both a theological and a political science perspective.
I might take a minor exception to your emphasis on the importance of Gettysburg. US Grant's victory at Vicksburg had far more significant strategic importance to the course of the Civil War and the preservation of our Union than George Meade's blocking action in Pennsylvania. This sounds like a good topic for discussion over breakfast sometime.
V/R
Doc B
Doc,
All interesting discussion points and yes, better sorted over breakfast. We mostly agree on the points you've made, however enabling and leading political thoughts from my reading, mostly centered on the immorality of oppressive tyranny against the colonies. This, is not to be discounted as a form of support. Where we disagree a bit, is that John Witherspoon, the Scottish-American Presbyterian minister, educator, and Founding Father of the United States, was a product of the Scottish Enlightenment and had the most influence over the thinking of Madison, the "father of our constitution." Madison, from an influential family could have attended Harvard like the majority of young men of his station in the Colonies. He chose instead, the College of New Jersey, now Princeton due to its radically progressive thinking on political thought. Madison took it from there and built our constitution after doing the deep research into all known "confederacies" or representative government, from Ancient Greece up until contemporary times, primarily in France.
Some of the most remarkable reading I've found is in the evolutionary rhetorical history of Northern Churches vs. that of Southern churches. Same bible and the rhetoric could hardly be further apart. I'm still trying to find where I saved the research I did on this subject. Google these days is of little value.
Religion in colonial times as you know, was a very diverse lot. Puritans hung Quakers on the commons in Boston during the 17th century, Washington's famous letter to the Synagogue in Newport News, Virginia's passionate frustration with the Church of England and countless other stories, make for as you said, "fascinating reading." Certainly a majority of colonists, more so in Southern States, preferred a variety of Christian leanings within the government on some level. Had it not been for founders such as Jefferson, Madison and a few others, this may have occurred. They instead peered into the future and based on their own research, insisted on vesting all Americans of other faiths, with equal rights for their faith to be as peers to Christianity. Jefferson's use of the word "creator" in the Declaration of Independence was clear concession to the Enlightenment. Americans are odd creatures when it comes to religion. We assign moral importance to the morality of religious beliefs, but not at the expense of anyone else's individual rights of conscience. This topic is of particular interest in my reading and research, and yours as well.
As for Meade's blocking action, I agree and also make mention that had not Buford identified Cemetery Ridge as the key strategic topographic element of the battle, poor Meade, new to command may not have had the legacy he does. Just my two-cents.
I look forward to breakfast
This is an excellent essay, Paul, as only you can write it! A great refresher on keeping the democratic republic we founded a quarter millennium ago! Keep taking us to school!
Thank you most kindly my friend. Coming from you who has dedicated his life to service to our nation and people, it's humbling praise.
Yes, I will continue to brag about who we really are as Americans ;)
An epic essay! 🙌🏻✨✨✨
Thank you most kindly, Pandora. It's a topic near and dear to my heart... reminding myself and others, who we are as Americans ;)