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.
via Quote of the week: Founding father says US not a Christian nation.
Tags: John Adams, liberty
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