Religion and Politics a Historical Mixture

Witham, Larry, The Washington Times (Washington, DC)

Protests that God-talk in the 2000 political contest is a departure from American custom have prompted historians to ask: What would George Washington and Thomas Jefferson do?

One third of Washington's first inaugural invoked God, or the "providential agency in the founding of the nation."

And Jefferson, accused of being a Francophile atheist in the bitter 1800 election, closed his first annual message by saying exaltation of God brought "conciliation and forgiveness" to the nation.

Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore has followed that tradition, citing on the campaign stump a popular slogan known by Christian teens, "WWJD" - What Would Jesus Do?

Texas Gov. George W. Bush cited Jesus as his favorite political philosopher, and signed off on "Jesus Day" in Texas - drawing strong media criticism.

But a new twist arose Monday when the …

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Publication information: Article title: Religion and Politics a Historical Mixture. Contributors: Witham, Larry - Author. Newspaper title: The Washington Times (Washington, DC). Publication date: August 30, 2000. Page number: 1. © 2009 The Washington Times LLC. COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group.

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