Essay_Morality_Knowledge_Religion
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205
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Jan 9, 2024
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Totjauna King
PLST 205: Foundations of Law (D03)
Professor James MCCarrick
Essay: Morality, Knowledge, and Religion Assignment
The belief that a newly form United States of America would succeed based on the principles of morality, knowledge and religion can be traced to the idea that an honorable and informed society, controlled by ethical and religious values, would contribute to the establishment and success of a hopeful republic. During the founding era, morality was often linked to the concept of virtue. The Founders believed that a successful republic required virtuous citizens who would prioritize the common good over self-interests. They drew on classical and enlightenment ideas of civic virtue and personal responsibility.
According to the Founders, “knowledge meant a Biblical world view and was consistently emphasized as one of the indispensable foundations or supports of our system of government.” Mark A. Beliles & Douglas S. Anderson, Contending for the Constitution
, 60 (2005). It was firmly held that enlightenment principles profoundly shaped the Founding Fathers, accentuating logic, education, and the pursuit of knowledge. They believed that an informed people was fundamental for the success of a democratic nation. Education was valued as a means to encourage critical thinking and civic obligation.
Religion, specifically Christianity, was considered a cornerstone of public and private life. The belief in the Chrisitan God was integral to the personal and collective lives of the people. The laws and governance were heavily influenced by religious principles and the Founding Fathers believed that divine providence played a role in the success and guidance of the nation and “in addition to God’s direct rewarding or punishing individuals and nations, the Founders believed that faith promotes virtuous behavior, which in turn leads to happiness.” Mark D. Hall, America’s Founders, Religious Liberty, and the Common Good
, 645, (2019). While the Founders
were influenced by diverse religious perspectives, they recognized the role of religion in promoting moral values and social order and many expressed the view that a moral and religious
society would be more likely to produce responsible citizens. “John Adams expanded on the need for a religious and moral foundation in 1798, when he said, Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government for any other. While Thomas Jefferson said that religion is deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its support.” Mark A. Beliles & Douglas S. Anderson, Contending for the Constitution
, 60 (2005).
Regarding whether these same beliefs can still be the basis for success in today’s religiously diverse America is very controversial. Some argue that the foundational principles of morality, knowledge and religious values remain important for fostering a sense of community, ethical behavior, and social cohesion. Others argue that a more secular approach, emphasizing the importance of inclusive civic values can accommodate the diversity of religious and non-
religious perspectives. With a diverse pluralistic society, the challenge to find common ground that respects individual freedoms and diverse beliefs, while promoting shared values that contribute to the well-being of the nation makes it complicated to base the nation’s success on a uniform set of religious beliefs. This is simply because the moral perspectives present in modern society were not as pronounced in the more religiously consistent or comparable founding era.
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References:
1.
Mark A. Beliles and Douglas S. Anderson, Contending for the Constitution
: Recalling the
Christian Influence on the Writing of the Constitution and the Biblical Basis of American Law and Liberty
.
(2005) Providence Foundation.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781887456197
2.
Mark D. Hall, America’s Founders, Religious Liberty, and the Common Good
, 15 U. ST. Thomas L.J. 642 (2019).
https://ir.stthomas.edu/ustlj/vol15/iss3/6 Good evening Professor McCarrick,
I wanted to take this time to say thank you so very much for all the grace, mercy and understanding that you have extended to me throughout the course. I sincerely appreciate all you have done to accommodate me so that I may be able to finish my assignments due to my military
absences. I am truly grateful for God’s favor that I received through your compassion and understanding, and I am thankful for the opportunity to try be successful in the course. Respectfully
Totjauna King
Good morning Professor Saunders,
As suggested, I have worked on as many assignments as I possibly could by completing all the quizzes at least once for grading. Short of an extra day or two, I am unable to submit any of the other written assignments for your consideration since it took me the whole day to complete the quizzes. Again, I am sincerely appreciative of your understanding, flexibility, and willingness to accommodate my situation the best way you could have. I am forever grateful. Respectfully
Totjauna King