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Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]], were less tolerant of religion in government than other [[Founding Fathers]].<ref> Madison did NOT write the false quote:

Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]], were less tolerant of religion in government than other [[Founding Fathers]].<ref> Madison did NOT write the false quote:

:"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."  </ref>  Though Madison favored [[separation of church and state]],<ref>[http://www.helium.com/items/501599-the-case-for-separation-of-church-and-state The case for separation of church and state by Michelle Mueller]</ref> he held the personal belief that religion is the basis and foundation of government<ref>[http://www.doctorsenator.com/JamesMadison.html From America's God and Country by William J. Federer]

:"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."  </ref>  Though Madison favored [[separation of church and state]],<ref>[http://www.helium.com/items/501599-the-case-for-separation-of-church-and-state The case for separation of church and state by Michelle Mueller]</ref> he held the personal belief that religion is the basis and foundation of government.

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: