National morality, spiritual sustenance

Wednesday, April 10, 2002

In a speech recently to the National Religious Broadcasters convention, Attorney General John Ashcroft put the war on terrorism in religious terms. Specifically, he said, "We are a nation called to defend freedom -- a freedom that is not the grant of any government or document, but is our endowment from God." Barry Lynn, whose organization supports a radical view of the separation of church and state, was vocally critical of the statements, saying, "It seems to increase the perception that Ashcroft cannot separate his religious agenda from his public office." Perhaps someone ought to remind Lynn that Ashcroft is merely echoing the sentiments of the men who founded this country. First President George Washington remarked that "Morality is the necessary spring of popular government. ... Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without Christianity." And I dare say no one questioned his political agenda of jurisprudence. -- Washington Updaten

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