Taylor Hoynes, I'd be careful with that Thomas Jefferson Quote you used. Jefferson was a Deist and did not believe in the virgin birth, the resurrection, and despised the teaching of the trinity. Proverbs 14:15 could read, "The simple believes every word in the Bible, but a wise man considers a matter".

It's a sure bet that mister Quincy lived before 1913 when we got the 16th amendment and the Federal Reserve. Or possibly before A. Lincoln declared war on the South in order to centralize all government power in Washington DC.

You can bet that this guy was a member of the English upper crust.

A visible hand of caring and humane politicians is a contradiction in terms. It should read a visible bunch of politicians whose objective is to enrich themselves by stealing from the people and to get reelected and stay in office forever.

Right on Guest and Mike.

Please excuse my cynicism , but the word "good" and "government" don't belong in the same sentence. There is no such thing as good government, just some that are slightly less oppressive than others. Like a minimum security prison and a maximum security prison. To quote L. Neal. Smith, "Government is a disease masquerading as it's own cure".

As to this part, "Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith". Morality doesn't need faith if he means faith in a supreme being or something else. Faith is belief in something without evidence to support that belief.

I don't have enough information to rate this.

Mike, Christian is a generic term meaning different things to different people. Some benighted souls think that you have to accept belief in the virgin birth, miracles, Jesus dying for sin the resurrection and so on or you are headed for hell and you aren't a Christian. It's going to be mighty lonesome "up there" for these saints.

E Archer, Every common symbol actually came from Pagan origins, including those of Christmas and Easter.

From a Deist, not a Christian.

If the Atheistic practice of no religion is a religion, then maybe the Lion's club or Rotary is a religion.

One man's theology is another man's heresy.

The adherents of Christianity have done good things no doubt. However, under the banner of Christianity and religion we have had wars, murders, burning witches at the stake ,and a host of other atrocities too numerous to mention. As to Christian theology, I believe that the word "superstition" is appropriate unless you believe that Adam and Eve were real people and that Noah got all those cotton pickin' animals on his boat.

J Carlton, I'm with you on organized religion, but I include disorganized religions also.

Assuming there is a God, this could be correct.

A theocratic government would be one of the worst governments. Believe what we say or it's the rack for you, or worse. Before the Enlightenment you could be burned at the stake for saying that the world was round. This notion was compliments of the ruling religious leaders of the day. Once the priests, imams, or fundamentalists take over, you better head for the hills.

I agree with Reston. As far as I am concerned, all religions are man made, including Christianity. I believe that the apostle Paul dreamed this one up. If a fundamentalist wants to believe that a talking snake in a garden caused all the trouble, he's free to believe that or in Santa Claus for that matter.

Democracy always ends up as mob rule.

More troubles, murders, wars, witch burnings, beheadings, and so on have happened in the name of religion, than from almost any other cause.

I agree with the 1st 3 sentences but I have doubts that we need more religion.

Can't argue with this one.

Good quote from the man who had a war to centralize power in Washington.

I have been in Peales hometown, Bowersville, Ohio. You know it's a small town when the Post Office and restaurant are in the same small building.

Good show J Carlton. I have a few friends that aught to no better that think if drugs were made legal, someone might actually use drugs. Oh wait, people are using drugs now, who knew.