Episode 358: Enlightenment Toward the National Religion

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Video at Rumble

There is much written on the Enlightenment and some of you are a greater polymath than I. Yet, for others, I intend to offer some basic insights to the Enlightenment toward the National Religion here in these United States. The freedom of conscience did originate at the Edict of Milan in 313, where Constantine made all religions legal in the Roman Empire. I will discuss that this gift, Freedom of Conscience, is the bane of this nation since the majority of pulpits have been offered over to the National Religion.

In the first segment I am reviewing last week on ancient world with the comparison to our present pagan government. Through this week I came across a video where Doug Wilson was asked, ‘Were the Greek Gods Real?’ I like the way he gets one thinking about the powers shadowing nations. The bottom line that hits home is that we in reality battle in the spirit realm but one has to be properly equipped. Hoot man…. The majority of Christians do not consider the extensibility of this battle and the ‘why don’t they question’ is for another program.

Considering Melancton Smith

In the second segment of the program I initiate the thought for consideration that the Enlightenment toward the National Religion is argued at the New York ratifying convention by clearly establishing that the Constitution of 1787 would initiate a ‘consolidated government’. (See my other programs that discuss the predictions and wisdom of Melancton Smith)

Consider this from his arguments as the New York convention went through the proposed Constitution paragraph by paragraph:

‘Whether a confederacy of states, under any form, be a practicable government, was a question to be discussed in the course of investigating the Constitution.

He was pleased that, thus early in debate, the honorable gentleman had himself shown that the intent of the Constitution was not a confederacy, but a reduction of all the states into a consolidated government. He hoped the gentleman would be complaisant enough to exchange names with those who disliked the Constitution, as it appeared from his own concessions, that they were federalists, and those who advocated it were anti-federalists. He begged leave, however, to remind the gentleman, that Montesquieu, with all the examples of modern and ancient republics in view, gives it as his opinion, that a confederated republic has all the internal advantages of a republic, with the external force of a monarchical government. He was happy to find an officer of such high rank recommending to the other officers of government, and to those who are members of the legislature, to be unbiased by any motives of interest or state importance. Fortunately for himself, he was out of the verge of temptation of this kind, not having the honor to hold any office under the state. But, then, he was exposed, in common with other gentlemen of the Convention, to another temptation, against which he thought it necessary that we should be equally guarded. If, said he, this Constitution is adopted, there will be a number of honorable and lucrative offices to be filled; and we ought to be cautious lest an expectancy of some of them should influence us to adopt without due consideration.’

Back to the Enlightenment

In the third segment, I move the discussion back to how the American Founder’s peer group in Europe began further influence politics, economics, education and theology in these United States.

The road to the National Religion is being established.

Keeping it Simple

Once again, there is no way to keep this simple. Part 3 Next week will show the details of the Federal government establishing and funding the new National Religion. And we will hear more fro Melancton Smith as well.

Sam Adams Wisdom

TO JOHN ADAMS.

[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy, a draft, dated July 20, is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library]

BOSTON July 21, 1786

MY DEAR SIR

There are two great Objects which I think should engage the Attention of Patriots here, & which appear to me to involve every thing else—to preserve entire our political Liberties, & to support our National Faith. To effect either of these Capital Ends, we must counterwork the Designs of Great Britain, who to say the least does not appear to be our most cordial Friend, by her Emissaries amongst us, to ruin both. The internal Enemies of this Country ridiculed our early Ideas of Opposition, embarrassd our Measures through the whole Conflict and prolonged the War. They had nearly broke up our Army in 1782, and they are now practicing the same Arts, by influencing many weak Men to withhold the necessary Aid of Taxes, to destroy the publick Faith. I should therefore think it very impolitick to increase their Number by admitting the Tory Refugees without Discrimination. Jonathan Philanthrop whom you well knew, with many others took a very active Part, & they were very successful in promoting the Designs of the British Government before the War , There are some among them who would be the fittest Instruments to be employed by that Court in tearing up, or rather undermining the Foundations of our newly erected Fabrick.—If you ask, What has thrown me into this Fit of Zeal against the Refugees? I answer, they already have or soon will in my opinion form a dangerous Faction. But I will be more explicit in my next.