Humpday History Highlight
By Wyatt Earp | November 5, 2008
The Prayer at Valley Forge
Stories like these make me giggle at the people who think we should take God out of everything and make America a truly secular country. That’s not what the Founders wanted, kids! Like it or not, America was founded upon Judeo-Christian ideals.
November 5, 1775 – Washington Condemns Guy Fawkes Festivities
On this day in 1775, Continental Army commander in chief General George Washington condemns his troops’ planned celebration of the British anti-Catholic holiday, Guy Fawkes Night, as he was simultaneously struggling to win French-Canadian Catholics to the Patriot cause.
In his general orders for the day, Washington criticized “that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope,” part of the traditional Guy Fawkes celebration. He went on to express his bewilderment that there could be “Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense” and berated the troops for their inability to recognize that “defence [sic] of the general Liberty of America” demanded expressions of “public thanks” to the Canadian Catholics who Washington believed to be necessary allies, and wrote that he found “monstrous” any actions, which might “be insulting their Religion.”
On the night of November 5, 1605, the conspiracy by English Catholics to kill King James I and replace him with his Catholic daughter, Princess Elizabeth, was cut short by the arrest of Guy Fawkes, who had been charged with placing gunpowder under the Houses of Parliament. The plot involved digging a tunnel under the Palace of Westminster, filling it with gunpowder and then triggering a deadly explosion during the ceremonial opening of Parliament, which would have resulted in the death of not only James I, but also the leading Protestant nobility. From then on, November 5 was celebrated in Britain and its colonies with a bonfire burning either Guy Fawkes or the pope in effigy. (H/T – History.com)
Topics: HHH | 12 Comments »
November 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Be that as it may, I thank the Gods above for the freedom of religion. I can coexist with anyone as long as they don’t try and shove their beliefs down my throat.
I also have no problem with them saying a prayer at the beginning of the day, or the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
E.L. – Doesn’t have to be Jesus (or Jeebus). I think “God” suffices for any religious person. I certainly don’t want Church Rule, but I don’t want a completely secular society, either. Hell, if someone doesn’t like “under God” in the Pledge, that’s fine. But is someone really damaged by hearing it?
November 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Our founding fathers knew that there was only one true God. I think that is why so many of our country’s tenaments reflect it: our money, pledge, Constitution, etc…
The farther our country becomes from God the worse the situation is that we are in.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
By getting rid of all reference to God in any form, we are losing the morals right along with it, and no I don’t think anyone is damaged by hearing it. I think it is one more thing for people to complain about. It was written a certain way, why change it now.
Pretty soon no one will be able to say anything, because you are guaranteed to upset a particular group.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Deanna – There IS only one, true God. And that God is Wayne Gretzky! *dodges lightning*
E.L. – I get offended when people write the word “the.” Please stop writing that, folks.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
The, The, The
runz and hides
November 5th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
E.L. –
November 6th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Good post.
I agree with George, for sure. That’s why I once scolded a soldier I discovered in an online chat for making derogatory jokes about Islam. We DO have allies with the same faith as our enemies and we still should heed the words of Washington today.
Thanks for reminding people!
November 6th, 2008 at 5:44 am
If ever this story needed to be retold, it is now.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:44 am
George Washington was one of the most remarkable individuals in the Colonies and we were blessed by having him as Commander of the Army and as President.
How we have fallen.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Dorkelina – It’s what I do.
Admiral – Agreed. You don’t have to believe in God (or a “god”) but don’t decry others’ beliefs.
Ky person – Well, in my opinion, you could count the truly remarkable Presidents on one hand: Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt.
I love Reagan, but the previous five were above and beyond as far as Presidents . . . and men.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Guy Fawkes – Looney…and the basis for the anarchist hit V For Vendetta.
Kudos to George for the condemnation.