Skip to main content

The Intentions of Founders of the United States

Topic Host: Ryan Mendenhall

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I thought it quite backwards if we were going to discuss the original intent of the founding fathers and we didn't go back to hear what THEY had to say. So, the materials that I have grouped together are from them and not modern commentaries on what their intent was.

US Constitution
Declaration of Independence
George Washington's Farewell Address
John Adam's Thoughts on Government

And, for you overachievers, the supplemental reading is: The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, about which Ryan says, "The Massachusetts Constitution is very insightful for the personal beliefs of the people of Massachusetts and John Adams himself.

Comments

  1. Friends,

    I really am excited about this topic. There were two ways we could have taken the "the intent of the founding fathers", one: how do we establish our laws to preserve their intent OR two: how do we change ourSELVES to match their intent.

    I choose to steer clear of option one as I strongly believe that no matter how amazing our laws are, if the we fail in establishing our personal morality then we can easily find ourselves in a state of indifference to the law.

    While looking through some of the materials I had for this topic there was evidence that some early government officials wished to let the law establish this great nation, but I came across much more evidence and reasoning by the founding fathers that the power and strength of any great nation rested upon the individuals that composed its citizens.

    In bringing this topic to the group I desire to discuss the logic of the above line of thinking, gain a respect for those who led a revolt against tyranny and founded a new nation under God, as well as come to some sense of urgency about our own involvement in governmental processes.

    Thoughts are welcome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sorry I couldn't make it. It's been a crazy couple of weeks for me. Hope you all had a good time.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment