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John Adams (Wiki commons)
As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen, and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
Article 11 of the 1797 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary, signed by President John Adams. Posted by Yale Law School’s Avalon Project.
In 1797, when this document was written, Musselmen meant Muslims, and Mehomitan meant Mohammedan. In short, our second president was at pains to assure the Islamic world that we honored their religious beliefs.
John Adams was nominally a Congregationalist (Puritan), as was his wife, Abigail. Despite his pride in his Puritan heritage, he was inclusive in his views and uncompromising in his application of logic and ethics to the issues of the day, whether religious, political or commercial. His reputation for clear thought, logical conclusions and compassionate behavior held true from his first appearance at the Continental Congress until his death on July 4, 1826, just a few hours after the death of his friend, colleague and sometime adversary, Thomas Jefferson.
It is as well Adams was not alive in 2001, and thereafter. He would have seen his treaty shredded on the world stage, and the foundation of this nation erroneously claimed to be Christian by those whose ignorance is exceeded only by their despicable, divisive and unpatriotic partisan zeal.
Comments
Ah, here we may see things just a bit different: it isn't just our current societal ills that is leading us towards potential conflict between the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds. Don't forget that there are heinous organizations that seek destruction of ways of life integral to America. Consider the charters of Hamas and Hezbollah, for example.
No offense meant, and perhaps you've covered this in other columns. I respectfully direct interested parties to TEAM. Training and Education about the Middle East. Run by a former International Red Cross lawyer intimately familiar with the Geneva convention (as he helped draft some amendments).
Yes, we must extend the olive branch of peace, and hope it is grasped on the other side by liked-minded individuals (and I believe they are there; riots in Iran suggest a society tired of tyranny). Is it also not foolish to ignore the ominous signs and language of the double-talk that continues in parts of the Middle East?
As always, a fan. T
Tinamarie,
Thank you for the information about TEAM; I will check it out. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm soft on terror; I'm not. I agree that many Islamic regimes are tyrannical, and export their beliefs violently. It is a shame that the Adams treaty was with Muslims; would that it had been with Druids or Jews, neither of which has historically exported beliefs by violence. My point in using it was to shed light on the rightwing religionist error that we are a Christian country when we are not; thus, their claim of some religious high ground vis a vis Islam is ludicrous in many ways. I find it unpatriotic to base one's national chauvinism on a lie, more unpatriotic than overweening and ill-considered zeal would be in any case. In short, if they want to claim the moral high ground, they need to acknowledge that we are not a Christian nation, but one in which all religions are accorded respect...a concept written into law and treaties from the outset, and a stronger position overall.
Thank you for this post. Living in San Diego is challenging for folks who understand the truth of our founding fathers. We are surrounded here by right of the center, heads down, eyes shut, prayerful, ignorant zealots. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this drivel, that our founding fathers were christian zealots just like themselves. Sickens me to think of it. Your surely going to suffer the arrows of indignant naysayers, but hang in there, because some of us actually read books beyond the bible...
And no Victoria the earth is not a mere 6000 years old either...
Benjamin: Thanks! I'm looking into developing an arrow-proof vest. If you know any inventors, they could make a good living supplying same to those of us who enrage the indignant naysayers...by pointing out facts!
He also said: “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people...so great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens in their country and respectful members of society.” John Adams
Eagle: Thanks for that excellent quote.
But I'm also in mind of the fact that the term religious includes all religions and the term moral is relative, dependent upon the culture in question (unlike ethics, which transcends culture, by and large.) One of Adams'sons--Charles, I believe--ended up a profligate wastrel with booze and gambling problems. On the other hand, Adams' son John Quincy became president. This leads me to the conclusion that religion alone cannot make a useful and respectful human; free will, circumstances and genetics probably play major roles.
Hi Laura,
I don't think you are soft on terror! The idea that progressives are is just BS in my mind. :)
I think you rock. Hope you come visit my column soon.:)
Hi, Tinamarie: I visited yesterday, the column about male rape. Very interesting. Seems so "unfemale" to do such a thing...but maybe my age is showing. Will be visiting more often; was away for about 3.5 weeks and need to catch up!
Ay, yes...'unfemale.' Things have changed a lot, and aggression isn't just a male sport anymore. You'll hopefully notice that underlying every one of my columns is the idea of being a Mensch, and hence, following ethics in matters of life and love. Not always the most popular, but bit by bit, I plug along.
Kudos to you, welcome back, and I'll keep reading and commenting (good for biz ;). T
The dude's right. America ain't Christian. At least, not the Christianity of the Bible. Hey, there ain't no Christendom, there's only Satandom.
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