Religion was a pretty significant part of colonial American life. A number of the colonies (like Maryland and Pennsylvania) were founded as a way for European immigrants to practice their religion of choice. The Founding Fathers made sure to separate church and state, but it was still common for politicians to reference religious ideas.
Washington makes some direct religious references in his farewell address, but he also uses larger ideas of morality and spirituality to try and convince the American people to do the right thing, which in this case involves upholding the ideals of the American Revolution and avoiding dangerous entanglements. It would have been a pretty safe bet that his audience would have understood and internalized his religious references, even the pretty subtle ones.
Questions About Religion
- Why does Washington reference religion so often in his farewell address? What is he trying to achieve?
- Does Washington's use of religion seem to be for him or for his audience, and how can you tell?
- How does Washington use religious language as part of the arguments he presents in the address?
- How do Washington's religious references tie in with the historical context of the farewell address?
Chew on This
Washington uses religion as a synonym for morality, largely because, at the time, religion would have been a shared vocabulary that his whole audience would have understood.
Washington doesn't specify a particular religion or even particular religious ideas because he knew there were a variety in America at the time and promoting one over the others would do exactly what he was telling people not to do.