Conservatives who loathe liberalism at universities

[_richardMdBorn]

.... Please name which of the founding fathers were against organized religion.

Brands' biography of Franklin (The First American) paints him as pretty irreligious.

By the way, Richard, thank for the recommendation of McDonald's Novus Ordo Seclorum. I've added it to my list.

I agree with you that Franklin's beliefs were not Christian. However, he supported preachers such as Whitfield (and made good money off printing their sermons :) ).

[_Morley]

Yes I have. He definitely falls into that category. Note though that the reaction in America to the book was hostile and Paine died in obscurity.

It was a best seller.

[_Morley]

I agree with you that Franklin's beliefs were not Christian. However, he supported preachers such as Whitfield (and made good money off printing their sermons :) ).

So, why are you asking? Apparently I'm missing something.

[_richardMdBorn]

Jefferson!!!

He was a self proclaimed Epicurean. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicureanism

The first amendment to the Constitution could well be called "freedom from religion". At the time, during the rule of the British Government, there was a state religion (Anglican or the Church of England). The first amendment was a law that forbade the imposition of ANY religion on the masses. It wasn't created to allow all religions (although that was the unintentional outcome). It was created to ban any official religion.

Quasi knows this stuff better than I do, but there's also the Jefferson Bible to argue the degree of Jefferson's religiosity.

The assertion was that many of the founding fathers were against organized religion. The first amendment forbade the federal government to set up a state religion.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

How do you interpret the clause about prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

[_richardMdBorn]

I agree with you that Franklin's beliefs were not Christian. However, he supported preachers such as Whitfield (and made good money off printing their sermons :) ).

So, why are you asking? Apparently I'm missing something.

The assertion was that many of the founding fathers were hostile to organized religion. Franklin was not hostile; he just didn't believe in it himself. That's a different matter.

[_Morley]

So, why are you asking? Apparently I'm missing something.

The assertion was that many of the founding fathers were hostile to organized religion. Franklin was not hostile; he just didn't believe in it himself. That's a different matter.

I don't think Quasi said they were "hostile." Hostile might, indeed, be a different matter.

edited to add:

Actually, what Quasi said was: "If you read Jefferson, it's obvious he was very much against organized religion (as were many other American revolutionaries)."


What number do you need for it to be 'many,' Richard?

[_Quasimodo]

\

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

How do you interpret the clause about prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

A population that emigrated to this continent to follow their own, diverse beliefs. Uninhibited by an official religion.

Remember, the founding fathers of this country were English, as well. It's not well documented in American history books, but the revolutionaries in this country were members of the Whig party.

The Whig party existed in England as well. They were the anti-monarchy party during the English civil war about a hundred years earlier. This is all good stuff to look up if you're really interested in history. Much of it revolves around the fight for power between the Protestants an Catholics.

It's a little complicated, but worth the effort.

The founders of this country were more interested in not regulating the beliefs of it's citizens then in controlling them. Something they had had enough of.

They were tired of the whole religious argument. Do some serious reading of non-biased information. You will see what I mean.

[_moksha]

Being conservative is the opinion that older ideas are to be cherished and held as immutable. One (liberal) assures that truth will prevail over dogma. The other is seeking dogma over truth.

With a definition like that, who would identify conservative?

The Mantleists in their celestial battle with the evil Intellectuals.

[_moksha]

I'm sorry Quasimodo, I'll make an effort not to rub off as antagonistic to you, I didn't know that's how you were taking it.

Stak, I would like nothing better than to be your friend. Please ignore anything that I may have said to offend you.

Let's start anew.

Here, hear.

[_Buffalo]

There is no liberal domination in Universities. You can find certain departments that have a higher ratio of faculty that self identify as liberal, but Higher Education isn't exactly a bastion of it.

More to the point, that doesn’t prove anything, other than people of a certain particular persuasion seek out those kind of jobs.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Mar28.html

And this does....what exactly?

Refutes your assertion. :)

More to the point, that doesn’t prove anything, other than people of a certain particular persuasion seek out those kind of jobs.

I can see you need more time to think this over. :)