Sunday, November 9, 2008

Gouverneur Morris on Religion, Morality and Education

Gouverneur Morris, according to Wikipedia, was, "an American statesman who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was an author of large sections of the Constitution of the United States. He is widely credited as the author of the document's Preamble."

Morris addressed the Constitutional Convention 173 times, more than any other delegate. He said:

"Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God."*

Does it strike anyone that his statement is not consistent with the way we look at religion and education today?

* Jared Sparks ed. The Life of Gouverneur Morris, with selections from His Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers 3 Vol. (Boston: Gray and Bowen) 1832, Vol. III 483

See also: Religion, Politics, and the Constitution

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