1921-1923
"It is my conviction that the fundamental trouble with the people of the United States is that they have gotten too far away from the Almighty God," Harding famously said. Harding's God was a unifying force, his Jesus a role model on how to make the world a better place. In one of his last public appearances, Harding said: "We need less of sectarianism, less of denominationalism, less of fanatical zeal and its exactions, and more of the Christ spirit, more of the Christ practice, and a new and abiding consecration and reverence of God. ... Christ was the Prince of Peace, and we who seek to render His name glorious must move in the ways of peace and brotherhood and loving service."
Harding's mother, a Methodist, gave him the middle name Gamaliel in hopes that he would become a "teacher of God's people." He later joined the Baptist Church, though scholars debate whether he was baptized Methodist or even whether he flirted with atheism. Though Harding remained a member of the Baptist Church throughout his life, his family later became Seventh-day Adventists, and he himself joined the Masons and the Elks. He attended church regularly, but he did not reveal much about his personal faith or views. He did not take communion, finding himself unworthy of the honor.
In his inaugural address, Harding said: "Surely there must have been God's intent in the making of this new-world Republic. ... We have seen the world rivet its hopeful gaze on the great truths on which the founders wrought. We have seen civil, human, and religious liberty verified and glorified."
He concluded his address quoting the Bible: "I have taken the solemn oath of office on that passage of Holy Writ wherein it is asked: "What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" This I plight to God and country."
"It is my conviction that the fundamental trouble with the people of the United States is that they have gotten too far away from the Almighty God," Harding famously said. Harding's God was a unifying force, his Jesus a role model on how to make the world a better place. In one of his last public appearances, Harding said: "We need less of sectarianism, less of denominationalism, less of fanatical zeal and its exactions, and more of the Christ spirit, more of the Christ practice, and a new and abiding consecration and reverence of God. ... Christ was the Prince of Peace, and we who seek to render His name glorious must move in the ways of peace and brotherhood and loving service."
Harding's mother, a Methodist, gave him the middle name Gamaliel in hopes that he would become a "teacher of God's people." He later joined the Baptist Church, though scholars debate whether he was baptized Methodist or even whether he flirted with atheism. Though Harding remained a member of the Baptist Church throughout his life, his family later became Seventh-day Adventists, and he himself joined the Masons and the Elks. He attended church regularly, but he did not reveal much about his personal faith or views. He did not take communion, finding himself unworthy of the honor.
In his inaugural address, Harding said: "Surely there must have been God's intent in the making of this new-world Republic. ... We have seen the world rivet its hopeful gaze on the great truths on which the founders wrought. We have seen civil, human, and religious liberty verified and glorified."
He concluded his address quoting the Bible: "I have taken the solemn oath of office on that passage of Holy Writ wherein it is asked: "What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" This I plight to God and country."
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