Religious tolerance, then and now

[alp227]

by Dana Milibank
Washington Post, August 17

"To bigotry no sanction."

-- George Washington

"Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate."

-- Sarah Palin

Two hundred twenty years ago today, the Jews of Newport, R.I., wrote a proclamation for President George Washington on his visit to their synagogue the next day.

"Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens," the Jews wrote to their famous visitor, we now "behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People . . . generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental Machine."

Washington's reply the next day, a simple letter titled "To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport," set a standard for religious tolerance that guided the nation through two centuries. Here is that message in its entirety -- along with some alternative thoughts on the topic occasioned by the proposed mosque near Ground Zero:

Gentlemen,

While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/16/AR2010081604681.html

[LWolf]

1. That's quite a contrast. nt

[pinboy3niner]

2. Palin to Geo. Washington: "Pls refudiate."

The Founding Fathers the teabaggers love to cite (and play dress-up as) can be SO inconvenient at times! :)

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. excellent article..kick and recommend!!

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. 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, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

-- George Washington

"The Ground Zero Mosque is not about freedom of religion, as President Obama claims. It's about the murderous ideology behind the attacks on our country and the fanatics our troops are fighting every day in the Middle East."

-- Carl Paladino, Republican candidate for governor of New York


It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.

-- George Washington


"President Obama has this all wrong and I strongly oppose his support for building a mosque near Ground Zero, especially since Islamic terrorists have bragged and celebrated destroying the Twin Towers and killing nearly 3,000 Americans."

-- Jeff Greene, Democratic candidate for Senate in Florida

* * *

May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.

-- George Washington


"Come on, we're going to allow that at Ground Zero?"

-- Rudy Giuliani


read this whole article by Dana Milbank - Link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/16/AR2010081604681.html

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