Morality and Religion

8 Short Facts About George Washington #5

'Tis substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.

Those words, from George Washington's farewell address, offer a revealing look into Washington's view of the great American experiment. The establishment of this new nation and its bedrock principals were based on morality. The establishment of our nation was not a mere act of rebellion; it was a moral necessity.

Washington held that virtue and morality, those central tenants of any liberal philosophy, are necessary for any government to prosper. Ironically, it is conservatives today that speak most of virtue and morality. It's ironic because no modern political philosophy has done more to fight against the very liberal ideas upon which this country was founded. Truth be told, the modern conservative views morality solely though the practice of religion.

Yes, in modern conservatism, religion is the only functioning guide for morality, and much like every other institution touched by conservatism, it has been corrupted. Still, as Washington himself acknowledged, religion can be an "indispensable" support for political prosperity. Washington would also indicate however that morality does not require religion. That's a recognition that supports the concept of religious freedom that was at the heart of the founding of our nation.