Gratuitous Common Sense

The Use of Reason

Religion, Politics, Atheism, Quotes, Philosophy Chris June 24th. 2007, 8:32am

“The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.”

- John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America

2 Responses to “The Use of Reason”

1
Anonymous Says:
June 24th, 2007 at 11:47 am

Chris, I thought this might fit into the show somehow.
2
Ben Abbott Says:
June 24th, 2007 at 4:43 pm

In recent decades it has become increasingly popular for individuals to pit reason against religion, particularly in discussions regarding our Nation’s founding period.

There is no need to make claims that religion and reason are necessarily at odds with eachother, well unless religion necessarily has an earthly authority over men.

In any event, I always enjoy reading that Adams quote … here are a few more quotes on the “use of reason” by our Nation’s Founders/Framers

“We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition … In this enlightened Age and in this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man’s religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States.
– George Washington, letter to the members of the New Church in Baltimore, January 27, 1793.”

“We hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth “that religion, or the duty which we owe our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence.” The religion, then, of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man: and that it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate.
– James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, addressed to the Virginia General Assemby, June 20, 1785.”

“And let us reflect that, having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions…. error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it…. I deem the essential principles of our government…. Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; … freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of person under the protection of the habeas corpus, and trial by juries impartially selected.
– Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801.”