Changes

==George Washington==

==George Washington==

The leading Founder of the United States, George Washington, has been claimed as a deist during the past forty years, despite written evidence to the contrary, both in Washington's writings as well as the writings of his contemporaries.  An Episcopalian, Washington rented church pews in various cities and acted as usher; the pew Washington rented at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City is still preserved<ref>http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60763-d105055-i36367014-St_Paul_s_Chapel-New_York_City_New_York.html</ref>.  The tenents of his church during the 18th and 19th centuries were such that outward displays of piety and religiosity were avoided<ref>Novak, pg 12</ref>, in keeping with the Christian practice of Matthew 6:5: ''"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."'' (King James Version).  Anglican manners seek a "middle ground", which for all intents and purposes was a path that would find the least devisiveness, to avoid or give offense, to keep the peace, and yet to keep space open for shared ideas<ref>Novak, pg. 12</ref>.  The rules for a "gentleman" stated that a "devout" man kept his devotion restrained in public; Washington himself was described by witnesses and biographers as such a man, one who kept his religion and beliefs private.

The leading Founder of the United States, George Washington, has been claimed as a deist during the past forty years, despite written evidence to the contrary, both in Washington's writings as well as the writings of his contemporaries.  An Episcopalian, Washington rented church pews in various cities and acted as usher; the pew Washington rented at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City is still preserved<ref>http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60763-d105055-i36367014-St_Paul_s_Chapel-New_York_City_New_York.html</ref>.  The tenents of his church during the 18th and 19th centuries were such that outward displays of [[piety]] and religiosity were avoided<ref>Novak, pg 12</ref>, in keeping with the Christian practice of Matthew 6:5: ''"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."'' (King James Version).  Anglican manners seek a "middle ground", which for all intents and purposes was a path that would find the least devisiveness, to avoid or give offense, to keep the peace, and yet to keep space open for shared ideas<ref>Novak, pg. 12</ref>.  The rules for a "gentleman" stated that a "devout" man kept his devotion restrained in public; Washington himself was described by witnesses and biographers as such a man, one who kept his religion and beliefs private.

But when Washington did speak of religion and his faith, he strongly indicated which faith he was talking about.  In May, 1789, he sent a letter to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches:  

But when Washington did speak of religion and his faith, he strongly indicated which faith he was talking about.  In May, 1789, he sent a letter to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches: