Bill
it is just the opposite, a religion based on love , Compassion and tolerance. It is the corruption of men for power that distorts it and cause the problems in history. Even Jefferson, Franklin and the other founding fathers noted that. Their slamming of Christians was based on the corruption in the churchs. The teaching however was another story ..

About March 1, 1790, [Franklin] wrote the following in a letter to Ezra Stiles, president of Yale, who had asked him his views on religion...:

    As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble...." (Carl Van Doren. Benjamin Franklin. New York: The Viking Press, 1938, p. 777.)

He died just over a month later on April 17.


A person who believes truly in Christ, would not and cannot do what others who Claim to follow him did and still do. But I don't want to turn this into a religious thread. I will submit however, the code of morals that was followed though out the course of US history and based on the teaching of Christ lead to a whole lot less government. People back then were far less likely to do some of the things we see today. Which requires a new law every time to plug the morality hole that was lost .. We are a nation to worship or not worship as we see fit. The country was not founded on any religion but the moral code of conduct that most followed helped keep people from cooking up such ponzi schemes and other stuff we see today. So Religion can be a very positive force .. but never at a government level . It will always corrupt and become destructive. Why I hate preachers trying to meddle into politics. If they spent their time on faith issues and morality of their parishioners, everyone would be better off, including indirectly the country