Two lesser-known pieces of writing from Lincoln that give some hints about his religious beliefs. Lincoln was notoriously cagey about his religious commitments -- he never attended church regluarly, nor did he ever make a public proclamation of faith.

"In the present civil war it is
quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party"

Personally, I believe this is always the case.

Thanks for the clip enbar.

My father was a great admirer of Lincoln, read everything in his library about him and, as a child, I would listen to him tell me of his greatness. Herndon was his favorite author and may explain Dad's interpretation. But Herndon minimized, even denied his religious fervor I later discovered.

Lincoln believed in the the great mystery of God's sovereignty and in the value of the Scriptures: "In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it." [Sept. 9, 1864]

In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party

"Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not" — Einstein

A person's faith grows or fades over time. It is hard to know another's true believes, as a wise person keeps looking and refining his views. A thinking person can change his mind many times. A person's heart is hard to read. Lincoln, like a lot of us, may not have been able to vocalize what was in his heart.

as a wise person keeps looking and refining his views. A thinking person can change his mind many times.

Great comment, dw29jw. A wise person has "been there" and dabbled. The wise were often once lost. In fact, wisdom requires skepiticism so it is impossible for your comment to not be the case. Bravo!
And as I see your comment relating to the clip, Abraham Lincoln says: "Both may be, and one must be, wrong."
That is the wisdom everyone should try to attain through a healthy dose of inquiring skepticism in place of blind faith.

The partisanship we see in today's world would probably be shocking even to Linclon. Skepticism is today replaced by party allegiance.

Skepticism is today replaced by party allegiance.

and rigid religious dogmatism, which includes some ideologies.

A person's faith grows or fades over time. It is hard to know another's true believes, as a wise person keeps looking and refining his views. A thinking person can change his mind many times. A person's heart is hard to read. Lincoln, like a lot of us, may not have been able to vocalize what was in his heart.

Very eloquent and very true.

A person's faith grows or fades over time.

When Lincoln's son (Willie) was dying and died of Tyhoid he turned heavily to prayer. During this time many of his speeches made mention of God, and Religion.

I like the idea that claiming "God is on your side," is often questionable (if I read this right).