From The Library of Congress:Here is the last paragraph of General George Washington's Circular Letter of Farewell to the Army, June 8, 1783:
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.
This paragraph has been hijacked by the religious right, who have turned it into the phony "Washington's Prayer"... they have put some phrases of their own into Washington's mouth, therefore corrupting the very words of "the father of our country".
Here is the false "Washington's Prayer" version, which Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) repeated on the U.S. House floor last week. Bachmann's phony prayer recital was part of a speech bashing President Obama for his recent statement: "...we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.":
"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.''
In her House floor speech, the bumbling Ms. Bachmann also stated that the above words were part of George Washington's Inaugural Address (hey, wait... George Washington was not inaugurated as America's 1st President until April 30, 1789!!!)
Such are the ways of "the Liars for Jesus". Didn't Rep. Michelle Bachmann ever hear the one about little George and the cherry tree?
Read more & watch the painful video here.
Mark T.
