The Alabama State legislature had simply permitted a voluntary, silent activity; the Court concluded that this was the equivalent of encouraging a religious activity and was thus an impermissible establishment of religion. Ironically, Alabama came under the provisions of the U. S. territorial ordinance which had declared that:
Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The Founders thought it proper for the government to promote religious activities. In fact, they frequently encouraged such activities. For example emphasis added in each quote:
Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement. The very existence of the republics depends much upon the public institutions of religion. John Hancock
A free government can only be happy when the public principle and opinions are properly directed by religion and education. It should therefore be among the first objects of those who wish well to the national prosperity to encourage and support the principles of religion and morality. Abraham Baldwin, Signer of the Constitution
The promulgation of the great doctrines of religion, the being, and attributes, and providence of one Almighty God; the responsibility to Him for all our actions, founded upon moral accountability; a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues; these never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered community. It is indeed difficult to conceive how any civilized society can well exist without them. Joseph Story, U.S. Supreme Court Justice; Father of American Jurisprudence
To promote true religion is the best and most effectual way of making a virtuous and regular people. Love to God and love to man is the substance of religion; when these prevail, civil laws will have little to do. The magistrate or ruling part of any society ought to encourage piety and make it an object of public esteem.
He told stories, He used illustrations, the Bible says constantly. He was relevant. - David Barton
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