2007-09-24

The treaty of Tripoli

In 1796-1797, the US government ratified a treaty with foreign governments in Tripoli and Barbary. This treaty was signed by president John Adams and ratified by the Senate. What is interesting is article 11, which states:
As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
So was the US constitution based upon the Christian religion? Since the constitution was framed only recently when this treaty was written, it appears that it was not.

More discussion here.

Text of the treaty here.

1 comment:

BLBeamer said...

My opinion is that I don't believe it was founded on the Christian religion. But we agreed it was not anti-Christian.

However, our earlier discussion was commenting on a study which indicates a large number of those surveyed think it was, but it was not entirely clear in what way.