The maddeningly untraditional and modern faith of Abraham Lincoln

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

The recent rediscovery of a Bible once owned by Abraham Lincoln has renewed a long-standing debate about Lincoln’s faith and what role it played in his life and presidency. It has also reminded us how maddeningly untraditional and surprisingly modern his faith was...

Then there are those, most Lincoln scholars among them, who insist that Lincoln was an atheist, or at least an agnostic, and that his public use of God-language was merely the religious window dressing required of politicians in a religious age...

Obscured by the fog of these debates is the reality that the story of Lincoln’s faith was a journey, a progression. He was an atheist, then a seeker. He claimed to be spiritual but not religious, was churched though not converted. Ultimately, he was convinced of God’s existence but agonized over the meaning of Providence in a tragic world.
In other words, Lincoln’s faith was much like what we see among millions today.

To read more:

https://religionnews.com/2019/08/12/the-maddeningly-untraditional-and-modern-faith-of-abraham-lincoln/

[abqtommy]

1. If I had only one word to describe the multiple facets of this world we live on

that word would be Diversity. This applies to any human/animal/plant group we choose and human beliefs/faith/attitudes. There is no belief system active today that wasn't present thousands of years ago, from the sublime to the corrupt. Abraham Lincoln was never alone in that and neither are we today.

[guillaumeb]

3. That is true.

And Lincoln's journey is not unusual. Many of us have journeyed as we searched for a path.

[LuvNewcastle]

2. I think Lincoln was one of our most intelligent Presidents.

He agonized over the decisions he made, and was pleading for God to give him guidance. It's no wonder he suffered so much from depression. I've often wondered if he could have been President during the television age, with his rough features and gangliness and his depressive personality. He wouldn't even make it through the primaries. Makes you wonder how many Lincolns have been weeded out by the system we have today.

[guillaumeb]

4. No, Lincoln was not very photogenic

in the bland way that the television age demands.

I think his search is one that many of us have made.

[IdealsAndReal42]

5. You're right.

Nontheless even in his time, Lincoln was almost destroyed by fake news and cruel attacks over his shape. They had called him an "ape, buffoon..." and all of this hatred was printed and passed all across the country.
But I agree, today would be far worse.

[trotsky]

6. An interesting opinion.

But just an opinion, nonetheless. No one can interview Lincoln to know for sure.

Regardless, was Lincoln a good president because of his faith (if he had any)? Or was he just a good president regardless?

Careful how you answer, g.

[guillaumeb]

7. It was an interesting piece.

One hopes that you enjoyed it.

[trotsky]

8. I enjoyed seeing you ignore my question, because you can't answer it.

As usual.