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The Timelessly Enigmatic George Washington

By on 2.22.12 @ 6:06AM

Even ultra-liberal theocrats claim him as one of their own.

Today is George Washington’s 280th birthday, which (unlike “Presidents’ Day”) deserves full celebration. One evening this week I was one of several invited to give toasts to George Washington before students and other supporters of Hillsdale College at its wonderful Capitol Hill campus. Our republic still has hope when young and hold still gather to honor our chief Founding Father.

It’s a tribute, in a way, to Washington that his legacy is so interwoven into the nation’s fabric that so many across the spectrum still want to claim him. Recently, an official with the left-wing and typically anti-religious Americans United for the Separation of Church and State described how Washington’s ostensible indifference to religion would today make him “unelectable.”

“To hear the Religious Right tell it, men like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were 18th-century versions of Jerry Falwell in powdered wigs and stockings,” explained Rob Boston, a senior policy analyst with Americans United. “Nothing could be further from the truth.” 

Americans United, initially founded 60 years ago by mostly by liberal Protestants especially to combat Roman Catholic influence, now generically targets nearly all conservative religionists. Headed by a liberal United Church of Christ minister, Barry Lynn, Americans United largely wants to banish traditional religion to the margins of public life. It detects theocratic ambitions among nearly all politically active traditional evangelicals and Catholics. But it largely seeks to enthrone its own liberal Protestant theocracy, where the welfare and regulatory state is the chief object of worship. According to Boston, General Washington would approve. 

“The father of our country was nominally an Anglican but seemed more at home with Deism,” Boston asserted, explaining that Deism’s deity wasn’t “active in human affairs,” who “set things in motion and then stepped back.” 

But by Boston’s definition, Washington almost certainly was not a Deist, since he frequently credited Providence with miraculous interventions, especially during the Revolution, when Washington himself often narrowly escaped death. Washington thanked Providence for having “directed my steps and shielded me in the various changes and chances through which I have passed from my youth to the present moment.” 

According to Boston, Washington thought religion facilitated “good moral behavior,” which is true, while also claiming Washington didn’t “necessarily accept all Christian dogma,” for which there is no firm evidence. Boston accurately noted that Washington often abstained from communion, for which there are many possible explanations. And he described Washington’s tolerance for other religious beliefs, which is certainly true. He quoted Washington’s famous letter to a synagogue, in which the President declared: “For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens.” 

As President, Washington masterfully wrote such letters to all of America’s major religious groups, nearly two dozen. They do not imply lack of specific religious faith by Washington but instead illustrate how he and other Founders believed that liberty of conscience is divinely protected. In contrast, Americans United seemingly has defended the new Obamacare mandate forcing religious groups to subsidize contraception and abortifacients. Washington would be stunned by such an assault on liberty, as would nearly every president up until the last several decades. 

“Stories of Washington’s deep religiosity, such as tales of him praying in the snow at Valley Forge, can be ignored,” Boston concluded. “They are pious legends invented after his death.” Well, maybe. But the “legends” were widely believed because they were plausible and affirmed by many who were close to him. Nineteenth century biographers, like eventual Chief Justice John Marshall, who of course knew Washington well, and Henry Cabot Lodge, asserted Washington’s Christian piety. Twentieth Century biographers, like James Flexner, assumed that Washington, like themselves, saw religion as mostly a useful tool. 

Twenty-first century biographers have resumed taking Washington’s faith more seriously. Peter Lillback’s Sacred Fire of 2006 cannonades nearly 1,200 pages of documentation into the argument that Washington was a serious and believing Anglican. With more brevity, Michael Novak’s Washington’s God of 2006 makes a similar case. Mount Vernon researcher Mary Thompson’s In the Hands of a God Providence of 2008 added to the argument, concluding with early 19th century theologian and Yale President Timothy Dwight: “If he was not a Christian, he was more like one than any man of [the] same description, whose life has been hitherto recorded.”

Biographer Ron Chernow’s Washington: A Life of 2010 reflects the new scholarship, noting Washington “never conformed to such deism… for he resided in a universe saturated with religious meaning.” Washington’s intimates, including a nephew and Alexander Hamilton, recalled that the great man often privately prayed on his knees even while avoiding public spectacle. Although the iconic vignette is commonly mocked by scoffers, it’s not impossible, or even unlikely, that Washington escaped from prying eyes at his crowded Winter headquarters at Valley Forge to pray alone in the snowy woods. And even while trying to avoid public attention on his religious practice, Washington’s presence at church invariably was a scene. Chernow’s biography recalls one gushing eyewitness at Philadelphia’s Old Christ Church who saw a cloaked President Washington majestically departing the sanctuary amid organ music, nodding to a hushed crowd parting before him: “His noble height and commanding air… his patient demeanor in the crowd… his gentle bendings of the neck, to the right and to the left, parentally, and expressive of delighted feelings on his part, these with the appearance of the awed and charmed and silent crowd of spectators, gently falling back on each side, as he approached, unequivocally announced o the gazing stranger…behold the man!” No wonder poor Washington preferred to pray alone amid such admiring scrutiny.

Washington’s surviving private papers include no expressed doubts about Christianity but neither do they offer any theological treatises. Such private views he likely would have shared only with his wife, who destroyed their letters after his death, almost certainly on his instruction. He was intensely private and aware that every word and action had potentially vast impact on the fragile new nation. Magnificently, he left one of the best documented lives of the 18th century while preserving mystery about the private man.

As the nation’s father, such mystery was instrumental to national unity, in his own day, and today. As President, he told Virginia Baptists that everyone “ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according the dictates of his own conscience.” He told Quakers that religious liberty was “among the choicest of their blessings.” He told Roman Catholics: “May the members of your society in America, animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity and still conducting themselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity.”

Privately, Washington prayed and developed faith, guided by his lifelong Anglican practice, but keeping most details to himself, maybe his wife, and to God. This mystery, as other mysteries surrounding him, probably served and still serves the nation well. 

About the Author

Mark Tooley is president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, D.C. and author of Methodism and Politics in the Twentieth Century. You can follow him on Twitter @markdtooley.


Letter to the Editor View all comments (33) |

Pelligrino| 2.22.12 @ 6:48AM

Unlike so many other countries (most countries) our first leader really is a man to admire -- for all the ages. This is not hero worship. This is sincere admiration for a man who really and truly had character. He helped in so many ways to give us the foundation, a foundation we still desperately need today.

Al Adab| 2.22.12 @ 11:27AM

Pell:
Even George III recognized the truth of what you say. When Washington proposed to appear before Congress and lay down his military command the King said, "If Washington does that, he will become the greatest man in history."

Is there really anything else to say?

Jack in Wi.| 2.22.12 @ 1:51PM

I think Washington was a great man who didn't wear his religion on his sleeve. I can't really think of many presidents who were very religious. Some where complete heathens.

Mike Hawk | 2.22.12 @ 3:41PM

You refer to Clinton and Obama of course. Yourself too.

Al Adab| 2.22.12 @ 4:19PM

I think I would prefer a President who believed in and adhered to the superiority of Western Civilization. Study the cultures of the world and find another which even approaches the prosperity, Liberty and accomplishments of the West. Part of that heritage is the centrality of Christianity to the development of Western values and institutions. This does not mean one must be a devotee of any particular sect or denomination, but one must, as did the founders, Lincoln and so many others, respect and value the role of Christianity in society.

Alan Brooks| 2.22.12 @ 2:29PM

Glenn Beck is a collectivist- he says "we are all George Washington."

The Bruce| 2.22.12 @ 10:43PM

Nationalist? Perhaps. Collectivist? No. Break out your dictionary, Brooks.

If you truly believe he's a collectivist, then I assume you're one of his fans.

L. Ross| 2.22.12 @ 7:31AM

For what it is worth, it is not "Presidents Day". At least not in the original legislation. The Monday closest to Washington's Birthday has been designated as the day of celebration for our first president. Check it out here.
http://www.latimes.com/news/na.....6933.story

POST American| 2.22.12 @ 8:24AM

---What enigma?

"Washington and Adams got wise
to the Illuminati. They were kicked
out by 1800 ---but snuck back in thru
the China opium fortune funded Yale
secret societies in 1832."
-ALEX JONES

Washington apparently DID get wise
to the REAL nature of the capstone
---and the REAL danger to his very own
soul.

In perhaps his last act of soul and symbol
on this earth --he became a full-blown
baptised Calvinist (ie scripture based)
Christian.

He left us his very self as a SIGN
-----------------------------------and a warning.

------Now we must get busy with our own
TONS of WASHING.

-------------HUAC/ NUREMBERG 2012--------------

Alan Brooks| 2.22.12 @ 2:33PM

"Now we must get busy with our own
TONS of WASHING.
-------------HUAC/ NUREMBERG 2012"

All-One Doctor Bronner's Soap.. you can drink it, wash tons of laundry, and starch your shirts with it, too!
ALL-ONE

Road Kill| 2.22.12 @ 8:34AM

Washington was a man to be emulated by all. True, history books do not espouse his Christianity, but underneath it all you know he was. Little snippets, or short stories show the truth. Only if there were more people like Washington. Inspite of the slackers, the low brows, those who do not care, every day in the US is Washington's birthday.

The Bruce| 2.22.12 @ 10:49PM

"True, history books do not espouse his Christianity, but underneath it all you know he was."

I've got some very sad news for anyone over the age of forty: Eighty percent of High School grads today cannot name the first President of the United States. Forget the nuances of his presidency; his very existence is being erased in the public (government) school system today.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.22.12 @ 9:00AM

Heh, one thing always giggles me about George Washington; he is the all time world champion writing run-on sentences.

On a serious note...we are the "posterity" he suffered so many hardships for over so many years. I will bless his name every day of my life, and try to be worthy of him. "By their fruits you will know them". Yeah, he was a Christian.

Al Adab| 2.22.12 @ 11:30AM

It does make his papers and speeches hard to read. Still, I was reading a book of Wilberforces and one single sentence ran to half a page. Had to go through it twice to get it.

The Bruce| 2.22.12 @ 10:54PM

"By their fruits you will know them."

What's scary is that, just yesterday, Obama used this quote, along with its other half, to justify raising taxes.

Isn't is strange that the media has always accused GWB as a religious zealot, yet Pelosi and Obama quite frequently quote scripture to justify their actions?

Von Mises Jr.| 2.22.12 @ 9:30AM

Barone's "Our First Revolution" discusses the "Popery Laws" and "Test Acts" that plagued England with persecution and revolution (Cromwell's Puritanism and 1688-89 Glorious Revolution).
British subjects fled to America where states were often set up on religious grounds and persecuted others such as the MA Puritans ejecting Separatist and Quakers, Anglican VA, Catholic MD and Quakers in PA/NJ.
Considering the conflicts of the preceding centuries, and the fact that our Founders were establishing a country and Constitution with religious liberty; it is not surprising that they would refrain from an outward display towards particular faiths. the idea was to escape the tyranny of the Anglican Church of England, and not to re-ignite the conflicts of the Reformation and "Thirty Years War."

Say Baptist| 2.22.12 @ 9:47AM

Eric Satie when asked if he were French replied "At my age what could I be but French?"
Similarly, at their age what could they be but Christians? There milieu was saturated by it. Even Jefferson put together his version of the Bible. The founding father most skepical of religion was Franklin though he avoided offending. He also saw that most atheist (like the "Hell-Fire Club") were humbug. Tom Paine was a special case.

Al Adab| 2.22.12 @ 11:32AM

It was Jefferson himself who wrote, "Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."

It is a thought we might do well to consider.

Harry the Horrible| 2.22.12 @ 12:09PM

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Al Adab| 2.22.12 @ 12:20PM

HH:
Something we should all heed...and practice.

Nancy in NC| 2.22.12 @ 9:56AM

The left can rewrite history all they want, but if one reads Washington the "deism" idea falls flat.

RJ| 2.22.12 @ 11:41AM

George Washington's self-sacrifice, character and courage are incredible. I can think of no greater leader in world history.

Today mark's the opening of the George Washington exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. To those of you in Southern California, I strongly recommend it. It consists of items from the Museum and Educational Center of Mount Vernon, made possible by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. It includes famous paintings of George Washington and the figures of Washington when he was 19, 45 and 57.

Bob Johnson | 2.22.12 @ 11:50AM

Many Deists, like George Washington, believe in Providence. Since there is no man-made dogma in Deism as there is in the "revealed" religions, Deists are free to believe in Providence or not. George Washington also said that "Providence is inscrutable." ( http://www.deism.com/washington.htm ) This fits perfectly with Deism.

Progress! Bob Johnson
www.deism.com

Mike Hawk | 2.22.12 @ 3:44PM

As a Mason, Washington was no Deist.

Progressive=Liberal=Idiot | 2.22.12 @ 7:04PM

Funny how Washington was a prominent member of a prominent Christian denomination church without a shred of evidence he attended some never revealed deist church; actively supported the Christian conversion of Indians who were themselves deists of sorts; never disavowed Christ; not to mention risked sacrificing his life and fortune and sacred honor on progressive liberal idiots who lie without any accountability to reason and experience, reason and experience Washington himself forbade us to expect national morality would exist in exclusion of.

Jack James| 2.22.12 @ 12:20PM

"Sacred Fire" is an excellent book that thoroughly demolishes the myth that GW was anything but a practicing Christian. As for his reluctance to take Communion during the war, remember that Anglicans held the King to be the leader of their church. Until American created their own Episcopalian Church, GW thought it bad form to take communion in a church where he was fighting the church leader.

Al Adab| 2.22.12 @ 12:22PM

Great point. A man of Conscience, just imagine.

BTW I read the book. A wonderful study.

timmah| 2.22.12 @ 1:08PM

RJ thanks for the heads-up about the exhibit at the Reagan Library, we will try to get there this weekend. I have no doubt Washington was a Christian and not a Deist. He was an old-school Christian, believing his relationship with God was between he and his Maker. In the words of the Bible he "work(ed) out your(his) salvation with fear and trembling". He granted to others the freedom of conscience that God granted to all, knowing if God made men free to choose, men should do no less.

Prothonotary warbler| 2.22.12 @ 1:11PM

Once upon a time sentences were meant to do something in addition merely to cohering grammatically around a subject and a verb by way of making simple declarations. In those days "run-on" sentences were often wonderful constructs presenting and ordering with elegant precision many ideas; conveying with subtlety and vigor the relationships among them that the author intends to establish. Radio, television and film had not yet usurped in our brains the primacy of speaking and writing; railroads had yet to dictate a timetable for our lives the pace of which, according to cellphone advertisements, has now evolved to a rate of speed that forces us to attempt to gain an advantage of 27 seconds over our co-workers, or be ridiculed as being passe; nor had the pleasure once taken in attending the manifest workings of another's mind been reduced to the irritation of one waiting for a subway while late for an important appointment.

That old fascist reprobate (and brillant poet and translator and, en fin, madman) wrote:
Say what you will in two words and be thru;
Long frilly palaver is silly.
Very true. There is, however, scant "long frilly palaver" in the writings of George Washington, a man who, from the earliest age, trained his mind to be rigorously disciplined, broad in interests and even-tempered in judgement.

I have opened at random "Sacred Fire" and find at the bottom of p.577: "May the wonder-working Deity, who long since delivering the Hebrews from their Egyptian Oppressors planted them in the promised land--whose Providential Agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent Nation--still continue to water them with the dews of Heaven and to make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of the people whose God is Jehovah." (from a letter by GW)

Richard Baker| 2.22.12 @ 10:08PM

I would recommend one and all see Washington's box at Pohick Church in present day Lorton, VA across Route 1 from where I grew up. Regarding Mr. Jefferson, on his tombstone/monument is the statement that he wrote the "Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom" but NO mention of his having been the 3rd President. Tells you which he thought important. The Founders were religious men who hated government established churches and prized individual conscience on this matter. That's why the 1st Amendment is so written.

POST American| 2.22.12 @ 10:59PM

--------------------FINAL WORD------------------------

----That's TONS and TONS of WASHING.

5 decades of washing, and
on some levels --almost a century
of washing.

--REPENT-- and get ready for
-------------------------WASHING TONS

------------------------------------TONS and TONS.

Marlowe| 2.23.12 @ 8:55AM

Anyone who doubts the depth of Washington's Christianity is either a fool or a Godless Liberal.
(redundancy intended)

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