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Was America founded on Christian principles?
America is often referred to as a “Christian nation” not because it was founded as such, but because the Founding Fathers were either Christian or had been influenced throughout their lives by biblical principles that surrounded them. It has become popular for secularists and humanists to claim that our Founding Fathers were not Christian at all but were deists, atheists or secularists. This is simply not true! It is a matter of record that of the 55 men who wrote and signed the U.S. Constitution of 1787, all but three were orthodox members of one of the established Christian religions.
In my opinion, America’s key to greatness is in the fact that it was founded on more Biblical principles than any nation in history. These principles originally permeated our educational system, courts, public life, religious life and the economic system. In fact, anyone who takes an honest look at the original documents and letters will conclude that America was in fact created by Christians who were influenced by their deeply held Biblical beliefs and structured our national policies to provide maximum freedom to worship and practice their beliefs but also included tolerance and freedom for those who choose not to be Christian and not to worship. No-our forefathers never intended for our nation to be considered a “Christian Nation”, but evidence upon evidence, speaks loud and clear as to the influence biblical principles played in the founding of our nation.
So, what’s your view-do you believe this nation was founded on biblical principles? Dare you use a few forefathers to prove that the others weren’t influenced by biblical principles? What do we do with all the biblical principles written all over the buildings in Washington as well as our currency?
Comments
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By GJ
March 12, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Her’e a good summary from Wikipedia - “Some of the 1787 delegates had no affiliation. The others were Protestants except for three Roman Catholics: C. Carroll, D. Carroll, and Fitzsimons. Among the Protestants Constitutional Convention delegates, 28 were Episcopalian, 8 were Presbyterians, 7 were Congregationalists, 2 were Lutherans, 2 were Dutch Reformed, and 2 were Methodists. Many of the more prominent Founding Fathers were vocal about their opposition to organized religion or anti-clerical, such as Jefferson. Some of them often related their anti-organized church leanings in their speeches and correspondence, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson (who created the “Jefferson’s Bible”), Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine. However, a few of the more notable founders, such as Patrick Henry, were strong proponents of traditional religion. Several of the Founding Fathers considered themselves to be deists or held beliefs very similar to that of traditional Deists, including Franklin, Jefferson, Paine and Ethan Allen.[10]
Notwithstanding the spectrum of beliefs held by the Founding Fathers, most viewed religion in a favorable light. This is noted through their statements in speeches and correspondences in which they describe its role in molding “national morality” and securing the rule of law (George Washington), its check on human “wickedness” (Benjamin Franklin), and its preservation of a free government such as America (John Adams). Regardless, the division of church and state was always emphasized by the founding fathers. “The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,” states the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli. This document was ratified by Congress without much debate or contention and stands today as a reminder of the founding fathers’ intentions.[11]
“In God we Trust” and “Under God” were added in the 20th Century at the height of anti-Communist furor.
Joe, it’s my country, too! It’s hurtful to hear these attacks on us who dare to think differently.
By :)
March 12, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Jefferson did write a bible, but its been long discredited for removing all the miracles out of it. Franklin would not be my first choice as a supporter for religious beliefs, considering he was diest. Bottom line: There is no way to prove the intentions of our founding fathers. So, the unconstitutional standard of “wall of seperation” was implemented by a judge that was bias just like you. The only way to prove there intentions is to look at history and history can prove what they believed. No ones talking organized religion for america, just respect for what is clear, America’s founding was influenced by men, that were influenced by God and his word.
By :)
March 12, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Its not that we are attacking you because you “think differently” its because your trying to re-write history and make the founding fathers something they are not, because they did believe in Christ. Your taking small excerts from their speeches and twisting them when you know that they just feared an organized church state like England had. They very much allowed intergration of school prayer, bible readings in classes, prayer before congressional sessions (which is done today) and many other events on their watch because they were not against it. It’s when people just like you said “their feelings are hurt” is when it all changed. I think atheist are upset because their standard that seperated church and state has been coming down slowly since the late 60’s. GJ: Please read what I wrote in the “Same Sex Marriage Blog” at the very end. It will explain the wall of seperation standard. Also, GJ, I am in no way offended by what your saying, and I appreciate your comments, really. I don’t think Joe is trying to be offensive to you either, he’s wanting us to all think about what are differences are, good blog Joe.
By GJ
March 12, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
The “wall of separation” is not a modern concept - it comes from Thomas Jefferson.
The quoting I did was from a neutral site - Wikipedia. I quoted that segment in its entirety in the name of balance.
Many of the Founders were religious, but they had the wisdom to found a secular nation. What they intended for our government is clearly written down - it’s called the U.S. Constitution. No mention of God, Jesus or Christianity.
Don’t Christians want a separation of church and state. Do you want the government in your business?
We are a nation of Christians (of many stripes), Muslims, Jews, agnostics, atheists and so many more, all living in peace together. What a great country, thanks to the Founders.
By Fred
March 12, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Concerning the idea of separation of Chruch and State; it’s really rather simple. Jesus Himself spoke of it…..”Render unto Caeser what is Caeser’s and render unto God what is God’s”. I’ll take it another step further (the Church’s will really hate me); pay Caeser first then pay God. Pay taxes first then tithe. Get it? Tithe after taxes. Jesus Christ Himself said it: Render unto Caeser…..then Render unto God. Truth be told to the Baylor Baptist sheep…….God really doesn’t need any your money. The Kingdom of God is inside yourself; not at Church.
By :)
March 12, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
Yea, I know, it was brought up in Everson v. Board of Edu. If you read my comment in the “same sex marraige” it expalains what you said. No, I don’t want govt in my religious affairs, but if you would just admit that we have a rich Christian tradition that should be respected, then I may agree that we should allow some seperation. I will never agree with the witch-hunts that the ACLU goes on to strike everything down that makes reference to religion. Anyone that takes such a strong stance against religion in that fashion, deserves no respect and is obviously non-compromising, and has a agenda that’s tainted with hate. However, we should open funding to all religions, as long as it passes the “lemon test.” Like for private schools, vouchers, etc.., this could benefit all people, not just Christians. You need not forget that “wall of seperation” is not in the constitution either. it was a very bad ruling, that should have never been implemented. A standard that has no constitutional weight, just like you keep referring to God and Jesus not being in the constitution. That’s why its dificult for scholars to accept it. If we look at the history alone, because that’s all any of us can do because the founders are dead, it proves theor approval of Judeo/Christian practices being accepted.
By GJ
March 14, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Respect is a two way street. This is a diverse country and will only get more diverse. The best way to maintain this great democracy is to keep a government that is neutral toward religion, but allows religious thought (and challenges to that thought) to flourish.
By A Human
March 15, 2008 5:52 AM | Link to this
White slave owners were real Christians? A sermon is better lived than preached. For a long time the Constitution was not being lived by the people who wrote the bloody document.
By KDF
March 15, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
For A Human. Good morning. Yes, white slave owners were Christians. I would have to check history, but very few Americans owned slaves, and that I guarantee, whether it was right or wrong.
More importantly, not every American believed it was right to do so, and the War proved that point. Slavery ended so many years ago that it pains me to continually hear about it when I had nothing to do with it, especially with great progress forward since, and more of a problem with inner-race relations within the black community in the past couple of decades. Christians are sinners, too, A Human. We know who takes our sin away, and I look to correct the sins in my life each day.
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By Early L. Doss
March 16, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
Could we bring this discussion to the present? I stated some while back that I would leave a church that interfered with my relationship with God. Today we are being bombarded with radio talk shows that are castigating Senator Obama for remaining in a church that appears to preach hatred of America. My belief, I would have left the church. I would never have joined the church. My reasoning, today, has to do with who I know myself to be. I would not be able to sit still and listen to the roaring sermons that pulled me from the quiet, stillness and peace of God that I seek in church into the rabble-rousing of the street.
My heart is heavy because I think Senator Obama has been struck a damaging blow by someone who should have known better. I know that the media have presented the worst of the sermons coming out of that church. However, it is my opinion that some of the things that have been presented should never have been said in the first place. It is almost as if the evil that was addressed a few blogs ago was waiting for this opportunity. I believe that Barack is a good man. I believe that he is what he says he is, a Godly man, and I ache for the pain that he is experiencing now.
I am so angry and hurt with Jeremiah Wright that I could cry, in fact I have cried. It is difficult to understand that a man of his stature could be so unfeeling. He played to the emotions of the people. He said what he thought their intellect wanted. He has taken advantage of the people that he proposed to lead, spiritually, and he has done uncountable damage to the idea of the black church generally. The devil sits and waits for an opportunity to pounce on you when you least expect it. It would have taken only one time and only one sermon to alert me that evil was in the house.