Holiday Reflections: 'The Cause of America Is the Cause of All Mankind'
by Lawrence Kadish • December 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Our nation's founding fathers made the separation of church and state one of the pillars of this republic, but that doesn't mean they weren't religious.
On the contrary.
They profoundly believed in God, and through their writings made repeated references to their faith and America's unique place among nations based on that faith. Among those individuals was Thomas Paine who, in his pamphlet "Common Sense," wrote, "The cause of America is the cause of all mankind." He would tell his fellow citizens confronting the imperial rule of England, "Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived."
America's first president also embraced his religion. In his farewell address, George Washington reminded his audience, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports."
