“Let them revere nothing but religion, morality and liberty.”

I think it means that when they fight, to be nothing but brave. so when they fight dont revere sadness or fear. let them revere where they come from and represent their country. let the others know that they are free citizens and they are proud to fight in the war.

Speaking to the second Anonymous person, this is not the only meaning. Christianity is decaying at a seemingly high speed, and so is morality. I recommend the man who is willing to change to read this quote, for this is one of the best that I have seen so far.

It is the Truth that sets one free. Too bad it doesn't come in a bottle...

A great summation.

Finally. A quote worthy of this site. Amen John!! Look at the order he placed the things to be revered... religion first because morality is led by religion (and not the institutions but the belief in God). And lastly liberty. Without religion and morality we cannot have liberty. Reminds me of another great quote by Mr. Adams. "Our constitution is for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate to govern anything other."

John Adams was an incredible man, and not alone in his convictions...l

I doubt that many Americans revere liberty anymore. At least above comfort anyway.

I don't think many people revere anything anymore besides themselves. What is religion but respect for a supreme being; what is morality besides respect for society; and what is liberty but respect for your fellow man? We've become a nation of self-centered narcissists unwilling to allow anything or anyone to intrude on our petty desires.

Great quote. most of us today have been educated and conditioned into mere consumerism as a way of life. Pride in one's origins, a belief in something mightier than yourself, and the knowlege that God did not mean for you to live in subservience to anyone but God himself....are disappearing. And this demise is coming to us through the government, through the schools and through the television. The change we need probably isn't the one Obama has in mind either...

You guys really live in a different America than I do. I see relgious fervor every where but of course I am in the Bible belt but beyond that America is know as a nation of religious sentiment, moral back bone and liberty. What Adams was/is saying is Americans should not but individuals on a pedastal but should look to the highest and universal ideals of religion, morality and liberty. Compared to many societies we still do. You want to trade it in? Not me!

At least he is nearly way there - I revere kindness above all else, then compassion, ethics, morality and liberty

RBESRQ in what way did you add anything? He said all of it with less. That is more.

Makes me feel guilty for being an atheist and now I wonder wheter Richard Dawkins is such a great guy, I've been thinking that maybe there is such a thing as godliness without God

What about logic?