Lincoln's Christianity by Michael Burkhimer

[RJNorton]

maharba, I shall bring up a topic I already asked about. All I hope for in so doing is an explanation of why an atheist Abraham Lincoln would write out such thoughts?

To me this indicates he was a man who had a very deep belief in God.

http://civilwardailygazette.com/wp-conte...tation.jpg

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Washington, D.C.
September, 1862

The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true -- that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By his mere great power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.

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As John Hay indicated, these thoughts of Lincoln were written in private never to be seen by anyone. He was not trying to "fool" the people - he as jotting down his honest private feelings - not making a public speech. I think his words came from his heart.