Human Idolatry - George Washington

George Washington is known as the “father of our country” mainly because he led a violent overthrow of the British government over a dispute over taxes. Many thousands died in the Revolutionary War, and if you agree with war as a remedy for a dispute over taxes then you should revere Washington. But as a follower of Jesus Christ your Scriptural foundation for such a position is vacuous. In fact, that position is at odds with all that Jesus taught and lived. But in this day of nationalistic forever, even among professing believers, that point seems irrelevant.
George Washington inherited 10 slaves at the tender age of 11. He steadily increased his human portfolio throughout his earthly life. The human property were integral in Washington becoming our richest president. Later in life Washington seemed to be conflicted about trafficking in humanity, however it cannot be determined whether it was a genuine change of heart about slavery or his apprehension concerning his legacy. In any event Washington never freed one of his slaves before he died.
Washington ordered the administration of the whip on unruly slaves, and many who knew him were shocked at how differently his verbiage was when he spoke to his slaves. Even women slaves occasionally felt the whip as well. When one of his woman slaves was whipped, Washington supported his manager with these words, "Your treatment of Charlotte was very proper, and if She, or any other of the Servants will not do their duty by fair means, or are impertinent, correction (as the only alternative) must be administered."
Adult slaves slept on a bare wooden pallet while children slept on a dirt floor. They were fed with little variety and somewhat like animals. Washington attempted to appear compassionate when he insisted he never compelled a slave to work when they were “really sick”. And he directed a certain manager to administer the whippings since he wasn’t as harsh as the others. But the facts undermine any attempt to soften the harsh realities of owning slaves.
Perhaps the most grievous example of Washington’s treatment of his slaves involved a slave named Ona Judge. This slave served Martha Washington since she was 10 years old. When she was 22 years old she realized that she was to be sold away from her family. Upon hearing that news she ran away with the help of the underground railway in Philadelphia. George Washington was incensed. He called her an “ingrate” and the “little mulatto” since she was much lighter than the rest. One can only surmise how that came about.
Washington ordered her to return, but this young woman entered into negotiations for her return. Evidently she wanted some assurances for her remaining with her family. Washington again was incensed and refuse to negotiate with a slave. Washington attempted to deceive her into a meeting at which she would be kidnapped. Ona got wind of the scheme and did not show up. Sensing that his reputation would suffer if the situation continued, Washington let her go reluctantly.
Another one of Washington’s slaves was named Hercules. He was the long time cook at Mount Vernon. After Washington left the presidency Hercules escaped. Washington told those who would attempt to recapture him to do it surreptitiously since Hercules was very clever. He never was captured. But several years later a visitor at Mount Vernon asked the little six year old daughter of Hercules if she missed seeing her father. The little girl replied, “Oh no, he is free now!” This my friends was the father of this country?
In his last will and testament Washington commanded that at Martha’s death all the slaves should be freed. But Martha, fearing the negroes would murder her to be free, let almost all of them go free. It is evident that the public school romancing of Washington’s biography is fanciful and ignores large portions of his life. We can always expect men to elevate one of their own. It happens all over the world. Washington D.C. is home to these monuments: U.S. Grant, Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, George Mason, Roosevelt, LBJ, Martin Luther King, as well as many war memorials.
Visit Washington D.C. and see all the colossal monuments to the glories of men. The entire spectacle is no less abhorrent than the high places in the Old Testament or the worship of the golden calf. No monuments to Jesus. A Christian nation? It is much more modern, but it is nonetheless idol worship. But what is most disturbing and spiritually unsettling is that millions of professing believers actively participate in such idolatry as well as support the founding father’s fairy tale. We mock the Egyptian pyramids built to honor certain pharaoh’s while we built great monuments to our own human heroes.
But since we were raised in such idolatry we do not question it. And although we proudly proclaim to believe the Bible we never seem to apprehend what it actually teaches. I know, I was there and I am sure there are still many areas of blind spots that still remain. But this kind of human idolatry is an affront to Almighty God. And until we repent and start a journey of humble cleansing we will continue to see the visible church stuck in neutral and without the power available to the followers of Jesus.
I Cor.10: - Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.