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==Madison on Religion and Government==

==Madison on Religion and Government==

Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]], were less tolerant of religion in government than all the other [[Founding Fathers]].  [[George Washington]], for instance, in his [[Farewell Address]] advocated the importance of having moral religious men in government.

Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]], were less tolerant of religion in government than all the other [[Founding Fathers]].  [[George Washington]], for instance, in his [[Farewell Address]] advocated the importance of having moral religious men in government. Madison instead favored the [[separation of church and state]]<ref>[http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/misq2.htm Did Madison ever say that religion is the foundation of government? by Jim Allison]</ref></blockquote><ref>http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jamesmadis138276.html</ref>

 

In the 1780s, when the [[U.S. Constitution]] was drafted and ratified, Madison was a complete supporter of religion in government:

 

<blockquote>"Religion is the basis and Foundation of Government.... We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."  June 20, 1785 <ref>[http://www.doctorsenator.com/JamesMadison.html From America's God and Country by William J. Federer]

</ref></blockquote>

Decades later, long after the [[Constitution]] was ratified and after Madison largely failed as a president, he wrote letters reflecting less of an embrace of religion.  The letters may have been written with the opinions of the recipients in mind:

Decades later, long after the [[Constitution]] was ratified and after Madison largely failed as a president, he wrote letters reflecting less of an embrace of religion.  The letters may have been written with the opinions of the recipients in mind: