rl 3-student program

8/2/2019 RL 3-Student Program

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Educating Young People about the Constitution

www.BillofRightsInstitute.org

Religious Liberty:The American Experiment

Lesson 3From Toleration to Liberty: Washingtons

Letter


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Overview

From 1607 through the 1770s, the official policy of

colonial and state governments was toleration, meaningthat the civil authority could grant or revoke theprivilege of free religious exercise by minorities. Theperiod from the 1770s to the 1790s saw a shift to anexperiment in true religious liberty in which freedom of

conscience was seen as a natural right. This shift wasevident in state constitutions, the U.S. Constitution, andthe U.S. Bill of Rights. It was given voice, weight andcredibility in George Washingtons 1790 letter to theHebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island.

From Toleration to Liberty

George Washington and the HebrewCongregation in Newport, Rhode Island


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We have solved, by fair experiment, the great and interesting question

whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government andobedience to the laws. And we have experienced the quiet as well as the comfortwhich results from leaving everyone to profess freely and openly thoseprinciples of religion which are the inductions of his own reason and the seriousconvictions of his own inquiries.

Thomas Jefferson, Reply to Virginia Baptists, 1808.

...[M]aintaining respect for the religious observances of others is a fundamentalcivic virtue that governmentcan and should cultivateThe founders of ourRepublic knew the fearsome potential of sectarian religious belief to generate

civil dissension and civil strife. And they also knew that nothing is so inclinedto foster among religious believers of various faiths a toleration no, anaffection for one another than voluntarily joining in prayer together, to theGod whom they all worship and seek.

Justice Antonin Scalia, Dissenting Opinion, Lee v. Weisman (1992).

From Toleration to Liberty: George Washington


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Learning goals

Understand the evolution of religiousliberty from the colonial period to theFounding Era.

Assess legal and historical documentsas examples of toleration and/or liberty.

Analyze George Washingtons 1790letter to the Hebrew Congregation in

Newport, Rhode Island. Appreciate Washingtons letter as anearly and important example of the shiftfrom religious toleration to religious

liberty in America.

From Toleration to Liberty: Washingtons Letter


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Read Essay: From Establishment toFree Exercise: Religion, GeorgeWashington and the Hebrew

Congregation in Newport, RhodeIsland.



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George Masons

draft of Article 16of the VirginiaDeclaration ofRights (1776)

James Madisons

amendment toMasons draft

Tolerance: accepting the beliefs/race/ideas of others in privaterelationships.

Toleration: the policy of the government in accepting/allowing thebeliefs/race/ideas of people in the community


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Work with a partner or two to complete Handout A: DefiningToleration and Liberty. Share results and develop consensus.


Fullest tolerationin the exercise ofreligion

full and freeexercise ofreligion

The delegates in Virginias legislature approved Madisonswording. How does this amendment demonstrate an

important shift in thinking about religion and government?

What does the different wording mean?


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A.Continue to work with your partner(s). Read and completeeach document excerpt and mark whether it is describestoleration, liberty, or both on Handout B: Religion andAmericas Past Toleration, Liberty, or Both?


B. Report results. What trends, if any, do youobserve over time?


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A. Read Handout C: Washingtons Letter to the HebrewCongregation at Newport, Rhode Island.



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B. Work with a partner or two and complete Handout D:

Document Guide.



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Thinking Questions:

How significant is it that this letter was written by a sittingPresident? Would the letter have carried as much (ormore?) weight if it had been written by:

--A member of Congress?

--A government official who had not attended the

Constitutional Convention?--A private citizen?

Washington spoke of the role of the U.S. government ingiving persecution no assistance and bigotry nosanction. Do private citizens also have this responsibility

to each other? Explain.


What does Washington say about the distinction between tolerationand liberty in the American political experiment?

What civic values are required of citizens living in a religiouslydiverse society? (In addition to the ideas students generate, you maysuggest respect, consideration, and humility.)


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Homework

Students should write a one-page reply to George Washington expressingtheir opinion on the state of religious liberty in America today.

Extensions

Distribute Thomas Jeffersons 1802 Letter to the Danbury Baptists in Lesson

Three. Students should create a Venn diagram comparing and contrastingthe ideas expressed in Jeffersons letter with those expressed inWashingtons 1790 Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, RhodeIsland.


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