Editing George Washington (section)

=== Religious and spiritual views ===
{{Main|Religious views of George Washington}}
[[File:George_Washington,_freemason_02796u_originalFXD.jpg|thumb|upright=1|alt=Washington with Masonic symbolism|Washington as a [[Freemason]]]]

Washington was baptized as an infant in April 1732 and was a devoted member of the [[Anglican Church]].{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1p=6|Morrison|2009|2p=136|Alden|1996|3pp=2, 26|Randall|1997|4p=17}} He served for more than 20 years as a [[vestryman]] and churchwarden at the [[Fairfax Parish, Virginia|Fairfax]] and [[Truro Parish, Virginia|Truro]] parishes in Virginia.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1p=130|Thompson|2008|2p=40}} He privately prayed and read the Bible daily, and publicly encouraged prayer.{{sfnm|Frazer|2012|1pp=198–199|Chernow|2010|2pp=119, 132|Vicchio|2019|3p=27|4a1=Novak|4a2=Novak|4y=2007|4p=xvi}} He may have taken [[eucharist|communion]] regularly prior to the Revolution, but he did not do so afterwards.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1pp=131, 470|Holmes|2006|2p=62|Frazer|2012|3pp=201–203}}

Washington referred to God in [[American Enlightenment]] terms, including ''[[divine providence|Providence]]'', the ''Almighty'', and the ''Divine Author''.{{sfnm|Randall|1997|p=67|Vicchio|2019|2p=101}} He believed in a divine power who watched over battlefields, influenced the outcome of war, protected his life, and was involved in American politics and specifically in the creation of the United States.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|p=131|2a1=Novak|2a2=Novak|2y=2007|2p=152}} Chernow has argued that Washington avoided evangelistic Christianity, hellfire-and-brimstone speech, and anything inclined to "flaunt his religiosity", saying that he "never used his religion as a device for partisan purposes or in official undertakings".{{sfn|Chernow|2010|pp=131–132}} At the same time, Washington frequently quoted from or paraphrased the Bible, and often referred to the Anglican ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]''.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1pp=131–132|Morrison|2009|2p=136}}

While president, Washington acknowledged major religious sects, gave speeches on religious toleration, and opposed [[state religion]].{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1p=131|Vicchio|2019|2p=60}} He adopted the ideas, values, and modes of thinking of the Enlightenment,{{sfn|Wood|2001|p=313}} but he harbored no contempt for organized Christianity and its clergy.{{sfn|Wood|2001|p=313}} In 1793, speaking to members of the [[The New Church (Swedenborgian)|New Church]] in [[Baltimore]], Washington said, "We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition."{{sfn|Novak|Novak|2007|p=117, n. 52}}

[[Freemasonry]] was a widely accepted institution in the late 18th century, known for advocating moral teachings.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1pp=132, 500|Morrison|2009|2p=136|Stavish|2007|3pp=XIX, XXI|Tabbert|2022|4pp=2&ndash;3}} American [[Masonic lodge]]s did not share the anti-clerical views of the [[anticlericalism and Freemasonry|controversial European lodges]].{{sfn|Chernow|2010|pp=27, 704}} A Masonic lodge was established in [[Fredericksburg, Virginia]], in September 1752, and Washington was initiated two months later at the age of 20 as one of its first Entered Apprentices. Within a year, he progressed through its ranks to become a Master Mason.{{sfnm|Randall|1997|1p=67|Chernow|2010|2p=27}} In 1777, he was recommended for the office of [[Grand Master (Freemasonry)|Grand Master]] of the newly established [[Grand Lodge of Virginia]]; sources differ as to whether he declined or was never asked, but he did not assume the role.{{sfn|Tabbert|2022|pp=58&ndash;59}} He served as the charter [[Masonic lodge officer#Worshipful Master|Master]] of Alexandria Masonic lodge No. 22 in 1788–1789.{{sfn|Tabbert|2022|p=103}}