BPSCG said:
Here's the text of the Farewell Address.
References I've found that are even remotely religious:
Paragraph 6
Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; than, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation, which is yet a stranger to it.
I would take that more as a literary device, but I suppose it is a religious reference. (Washington: Master of the run-on sentence)
Paragraph 10
With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles.
It's a sweeping generalization. I don't think I would take that as a statement of fact as much as an attempt to unite everyone to a common side.
Paragraph 19
Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian.
Actually, I thought this line was decidedly
anti-religious in that it calls more on a humanist approach to protect the government rather than a divine approach.
Paragraph 27
Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
This paragraph supports the idea that religion is important to good moral character, but fails to specify
which religion. It is equally applicable to any religion that supports morality.
Paragraph 28
It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric ?
Continued from the previous quote, this does seem to support that Washington considered religion an important aspect of free government.
Paragraph 29
Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.
Washington in this quote, however, appears that he would absolutely disapprove of modern-day fundamentalism.
Paragraph 31
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence
Again, supports the notion that Washington saw "Religion and Morality" as critical to a free government. An "exalted justice and benevolence"
could be a reference to God, I suppose. It could easily be a reference to one of the many abstract spirits that Washington refers to through out.
That's it. I went through the whole thing and that's all I could find. The closest of all of it was the twice referenced "Religion and Morality" that Washington believed was necessary to keep politicians from becoming corrupt. I didn't see anything that could be referred to as "four Christian principles".
