Changes

==Religion==

==Religion==

Abraham Lincoln, like many other people of his day, believed, at least initially, that "Religion is a private affair between a man and his God."  Doubts about Lincoln's faith have arisen mainly because he never officially joined a church, which his political opponents used sometimes to accuse him.  He had a love of the Bible and memorized parts of the Bible, and used biblical allusions later on in political speech.  Lincoln said once that:

Abraham Lincoln, like many other people of his day, believed, at least initially, that "[[Religion]] is a private affair between a man and his [[God]]."  Doubts about Lincoln's faith have arisen mainly because he never officially joined a church, which his political opponents used sometimes to accuse him.  He had a love of the [[Bible]] and memorized parts of the Bible, and used biblical allusions later on in political speech.  Lincoln said once that:

''"I doubt the possibility or propriety of settling the religion of Jesus Christ in the models of man-made [[creed]]s and [[dogma]]s.  I cannot without mental reservations assent to long and complicated creeds and catechisms."''  

''"I doubt the possibility or propriety of settling the religion of [[Jesus Christ]] in the models of man-made [[creed]]s and [[dogma]]s.  I cannot without mental reservations assent to long and complicated creeds and catechisms."''  

He also said on another occasion:

He also said on another occasion:

:''"That I am not a member of any [[Christian church]] is true, but I have never denied the truth of the [[Scriptures]], and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general or of any [[denomination]] of Christians in particular."''

:''"That I am not a member of any [[Christian church]] is true, but I have never denied the truth of the [[Scriptures]], and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of [[religion]] in general or of any [[denomination]] of Christians in particular."''

He also made statements that suggest a strong faith, such as when his father was ill:

He also made statements that suggest a strong [[faith]], such as when his father was ill:

:''"Tell father to remember to call upon and confide in our great, and good, and merciful Maker who will not turn away from him in any extremity.  He notes the fall of a sparrow and numbers the hairs of our heads; and he will not forget the dying man who puts his trust in him.  If it is to be his lot to go now, he will soon have a joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before; and where the rest of us, through the help of God, hope ere long to join them."''

:''"Tell father to remember to call upon and confide in our great, and good, and merciful Maker who will not turn away from him in any extremity.  He notes the fall of a sparrow and numbers the hairs of our heads; and he will not forget the dying man who puts his trust in him.  If it is to be his lot to go now, he will soon have a joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before; and where the rest of us, through the help of God, hope ere long to join them."''

As a supporter of the Christian religion and who recognized its beneficial effects, Lincoln stated to a Methodist delegation,

As a supporter of the [[Christianity|Christian]] religion and who recognized its beneficial effects, Lincoln stated to a [[Methodism|Methodist]] delegation,

:''"Nobly sustained, as the Government has been, by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might in the least appear invidious against any. Yet without this, it may fairly be said, that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less devoted than the best, is by its greatest numbers the most important of all. It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospitals, and more prayers to Heaven than--any other. God bless the Methodist Church Bless all the churches; and blessed be God, who in this our great trial giveth us the churches."''<ref>[http://www.classic-literature.co.uk/american-authors/19th-century/abraham-lincoln/the-writings-of-abraham-lincoln-07/ebook-page-41.aspAbraham Lincoln, "The Writings of Abraham Lincoln"] VO7, p. 41</ref>   

:''"Nobly sustained, as the Government has been, by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might in the least appear invidious against any. Yet without this, it may fairly be said, that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less devoted than the best, is by its greatest numbers the most important of all. It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospitals, and more prayers to Heaven than--any other. God bless the Methodist Church Bless all the churches; and blessed be God, who in this our great trial giveth us the churches."''<ref>[http://www.classic-literature.co.uk/american-authors/19th-century/abraham-lincoln/the-writings-of-abraham-lincoln-07/ebook-page-41.aspAbraham Lincoln, "The Writings of Abraham Lincoln"] VO7, p. 41</ref>