This site is a bit unusual for the large number of fake quotations it presents on one page. On the assumption (perhaps over-optimistic) that they are merely misinformed and not actively trying to deceive, I sent them the following statement:
I would like to recommend the elimination of manufactured quotations from your site. The following quotations are all fake:
“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.”
- George Washington
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
- George Washington
“Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.”
- George Washington, Prayer
“ ... a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools.”
- United States Congress 1782
“The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”
- United States Congress 1782
“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”
- John Adams
“There is a book [the Bible] worth all the other books ever printed.”
- Patrick Henry
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
- Patrick Henry
“We recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus.”
- John Adams and John Hancock
“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.”
- James Madison
“Religion [is] the basis and foundation of Government”
- James Madison
There are plenty of genuine quotations available without adulterating history with these transparent frauds.
3 comments:
While they may not have known that the quotes were fake, I doubt they'll care. That is not a site interested in scholarship, it is a site interested in proselytizing, and even if the quotes are not true, they'll convince themselves that they are "true to the spirit" of their idolized Founders.
As Jeff Goldblum said " I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations." This seems to be especially true for the Religeous Right.
Yeah, I really don't expect much. I've yet to hear back from David Barton concerning the source of three of his "unconfirmed" quotations, nor has he done anything (the last time I looked) to update the page, even though in at least one case (the Jefferson "quotation" as recalled by Daniel Webster) he could claim vindication--not that I'd agree with him on that point--in describing it as having a reputable source.
On the other hand at least one quotation site made a correction on a fake Franklin quotation based on the data I sent them. Admittedly they didn't have an ax to grind, and actually seemed pleased to have more accurate information. I've also been posting updates at Wikiquotes as I turn information up.
As I say, I don't expect much, but I do figure it's only sporting to give them a chance to correct their errors before branding them as liars.
It's good to put the facts out there anyway. Then someone wanting to know can find the truth readily. Onward ... rfh
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