The Providence of God by David Barton
John Witherspoon, too, complemented the Jews:
To the Jews were first committed the care of the sacred Writings. Yet was the providence of God particular manifest in their preservation and purity. The Jews were so faithful in their important trust. Elias Boudinot, President of Congress, was so fond of the “Hebrews” that he served as president of the “Society for Ameliorating the State of the Jews” and made personal provision to bring persecuted Jews to America where they could have an “asylum of safety” and have the opportunity, if they so chose, to inquire into Christianity “without fear or terror.”
However, the Founders’ respect for other religions should not be confused or misinterpreted as a promotion of pluralism evidenced by this statement from Benjamin Rush:
Such is my veneration for every religion that reveals the attributes of the Deity, or a future state of rewards and punishments that I had rather see the opinions of Confucius or Mohamed inculcated upon our youth, than see them grow up wholly devoid of a system of religious principles. But the religion I mean to recommend in this place is that of the New Testament.
Similarly, consider Justice Story’s statement in his Commentaries on the Constitution:
The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less to advance Mahometanism, or Judaism, or infidelity by prostrating Christianity; but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects and to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment which should give to a hierarchy a denominational council the exclusive patronage of the national government.
Representative quotes of many Founders demonstrate their preference for Christianity and provide no evidence of any alleged “mandate to promote a visible, pluralistic society.” Notice:
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention. George Washington
Let statesmen and patriots unite their endeavors to renovate the age by educating their little boys and girls and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system. Samuel Adams
David Barton – Do you know what our mission is as leaders of this church? Our mission is to entertain you. “He said the word entertain in church?” Entertain. I will give you the definition of entertainment.