Our founding fathers intended a Christian nation...?

Question

This is a serious question to those who believe that our founding fathers intended the United States to be a Christian nation. Could you provide evidence for this? I assume that there probably is some, although everything that I've found seems to be to the contrary. Below are quotes from some founding fathers:

"I have examined all the known superstitions of the World, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the world ...The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for enslaving mankind ... to filch wealth and power to themselves. [They], in fact, constitute the real Anti-Christ." -Thomas Jefferson.

"Accustom a people to believe that priests and clergy can forgive sins ... and you will have sins in abundance. I would not dare to dishonor my Creator's name by [attaching] it to this filthy book [the Bible]." -Thomas Paine

"Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause."
-George Washington, letter to Sir Edward Newenham, June 22, 1792

Answer 1

those who define "Christian" as "biblical-literalist" would not consider many of the founders to be "real" Christians.



These were generally Enlightenment-age Christians, who saw more metaphor than literalism, who saw Christianity as a moral compass (one literalists in particular seem to have lost) at the same time ideals of scientific inquiry were taking root. These were NOT men seeking a bible-based society by any shape or form; these men deliberately crafted a secular (not atheist; there is a difference. look it up, fundies) state.

Answer 2

not at all "The idea also of a union of all to form one nation under one Govt in acts of devotion to the God of all is an imposing idea. But reason and the principles of the Xn religion require that all the individuals composing a nation even of the same precise creed & wished to unite in a universal act of religion at the same time, the union ought to be effected thro’ the intervention of their religious not of their political representatives. In a nation composed of various sects, some alienated widely from others, and where no agreement could take place thro’ the former, the interposition of the latter is double wrong" -- James Madison; from 'Detached Memoranda' The Christian Right has another source for their ideology: "The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and co-operation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life." -- Adolf Hitler; from national proclamation (February 1, 1933)

Answer 3

Personally, I would let the number of times Jesus's name appears in either the Declaration of Independence or The Constitution be the guide: 0



While you will find the word "Creator" shown, "Creator" is a generic term. Just about every religion has a story of creation which leaves the statement incredible vague at best.



Pan - Do some research. The quotes are very real. A large number of the founding fathers were Deists, not Christians.



You also may want to look up a "Jefferson Bible" - I doubt you would recognize it.

Answer 4

A little tangent to question: Does Fireball realize that in Puritan colonies Quakers were hung simply for being Quakers and other dissidents, such as Baptists, were exiled to the wilderness. Puritans were opposed to freedom of religion: they just insisted that everyone worship their religion. There was not always freedom to choose and people like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Paine, and Morris resented this lack of freedom.

Answer 5

In those days, many people were Christians and they were always fighting for Christian beliefs according to their way of thinking. I agree with you that it's a myth. It is sucks. Religions in general are sucks because they are about some doctrines which you have to live up to to get accepted. Many people have been killed, tortured, imprisoned in the name of God. Imagine there was no religion we would all be fine.

Answer 6

The Founders intended a secular Constitution for a largely Christian population. If they had intended anything else, they would've written the Constitution in a very different manner.

Answer 7

John Adams:

“ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

–John Adams in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress



"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798



"I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson



"Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell." [John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1817] |





Benjamin Franklin:

“ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech



“In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” [Constitutional Convention, Thursday June 28, 1787]



In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."



In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."



Thomas Jefferson:

“ The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.”



“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.”



"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."



“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” (excerpts are inscribed on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial in the nations capital) [Source: Merrill . D. Peterson, ed., Jefferson Writings, (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc., 1984), Vol. IV, p. 289. From Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, 1781.]

Answer 8

After George Washington and the other founding fathers set up the Constitution, the congress ask George Washington to set aside a day of thanksgiving. George Washington gave a speech called the Declaration of Thanksgiving and in this speech there was one day set aside during the year to give thanks to "God Almighty" for allowing them to set up the Constitution....this day was called Thanksgiving Day-it falls on the 4th Thursday in November.



Also to the ones posting about the first amendment to the Constitution...notice it is the first AMENDMENT, it was NOT originally in the Constitution it was an amendment added on a little later.

Answer 9

Read the Mayflower Compact.

Answer 10

It doesn't even matter what our forefathers were. The point is, they intended the right to choose what religion, if any. The Constitution states that the government can't support religion, end of story.



I can never understand why the Christians have this depraved need for all of our founders to be Christians. It doesn't matter. The proof of what they intended is in our Constitution. Fin!

Answer 11

this country was founded on religious freedom. that was brought people from england over here on the mayflower. they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Answer 12

They like to think that the words in the Constitution and Declaration "Creator" etc. etc. is proof of this, however they do not seem to know that they were Deist.



Also, they fail to remember the Treaty of Tripoli.

Answer 13

I tend to believe that the story of the Pilgrims has been so romanticized! I certainly do not believe that the US should be a "Christan" country...there needs to be a separation of church and state.

Answer 14

thank you joe b for your presentation of which most of us should have learned in eighth grade...either have forgotten or are the product of the "new" watered down version of american history that is being taught in our schools....





creator/ God....the same thing....



and what is a deist any way??a high brow thinker of the spiritual







GOD BLESS AMERICA

Answer 15

All you have to do is look at the First Ammendment. It's very clear. No religion involved in our government--at least that's the intent.

Answer 16

Maybe that is why we have freedom of religion and later freedom from religion.

Answer 17

Make no mistake... our founding fathers are turning over in their graves.

Answer 18

These are but a few, "IF" you really are looking for the truth go to the link in my sources and you will find much more. I doubt that you really care. Being based on Christian faith is not espousing that everyone believe in or attend a certain church. It is however demanding a true standard of right and wrong, an unchanging standard that can only come from God the Father of Jesus Christ. This nation was founded on that standard whether you like it or not pastors and priests played a big part in shaping the new nation and defending it.











Thomas Jefferson





SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES



The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.64



The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.65



I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.66



I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.67











George Washington



JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; “FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY”



You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.122



While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.123



The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.124



I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.125





Daniel Webster



U. S. SENATOR; SECRETARY OF STATE; “DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION”



[T]he Christian religion – its general principles – must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.126



Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.127



[T]o the free and universal reading of the Bible… men [are] much indebted for right views of civil liberty.128



The Bible is a book… which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man.129



Francis Scott Key



U. S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; AUTHOR OF THE “STAR SPANGLED BANNER”



[M]ay I always hear that you are following the guidance of that blessed Spirit that will lead you into all truth, leaning on that Almighty arm that has been extended to deliver you, trusting only in the only Savior, and going on in your way to Him rejoicing.71





James Kent



JUDGE; LAW PROFESSOR; “FATHER OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE”



My children, I wish to talk to you. During my early and middle life I was, perhaps, rather skeptical with regard to some of the truths of Christianity. Not that I did not have the utmost respect for religion and always read my Bible, but the doctrine of the atonement was one I never could understand, and I felt inclined to consider as impossible to be received in the way Divines taught it. I believe I was rather inclined to Unitarianism; but of late years my views have altered. I believe in the doctrines of the prayer books as I understand them, and hope to be saved through the merits of Jesus Christ. . . . My object in telling you this is that if anything happens to me, you might know, and perhaps it would console you to remember, that on this point my mind is clear: I rest my hopes of salvation on the Lord Jesus Christ.70





John Hancock



SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS



Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.38



He called on the entire state to pray “that universal happiness may be established in the world [and] that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole earth be filled with His

Answer 19

Here here Sparta!

Answer 20

16. Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.



17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.



18. She said: "I seek refuge from thee to ((Allah)) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."



19. He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.



20. She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"



21. He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."



22. So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.



23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"



24. But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;



25. "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.



26. "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to ((Allah)) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'"



27. At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!



28. "O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!"



29. But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"



30. He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah. He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;



31. "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;



32. "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;



33. "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!



34. Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.



35. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.



36. Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.



________________________________________

Allah. There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).



256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.



257. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever).

Answer 21

Puritans were Christians, but there has always been freedom to choose...

Answer 22

Here is more stuff that Jefferson did.

Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President and who understood the intent of the Constitutional signers as he was their contemperary. Here are some quotes from Jefferson on interpretation of the Constitution;



""""The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated by the plain understanding of the people of the United States at the time of its adoption--a meaning to be found in the explanations of those who advocated, not those who opposed it, and who opposed it merely lest the construction should be applied which they denounced as possible."""



""""On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed."""



During Jeffersons Presidency he lived out the intent of the founding fathers in a tangible manner diametrically opposed to our practice of the left wings manufactured "Seperation of Church and State".

Here are but some of the legal and unopposed functions of Jefferson as President;



* Used the Bible and nondenominational religious instruction in the public schools. He was involved in three different school districts, and the plan in each required that the Bible be taught in our public schools.

* Promoted legislative and military chaplains.

* Established a national seal using a biblical symbol.

* Included the word "God" in our national motto.

* Established official days of fasting and prayer at the state level.

* Punished Sabbath breakers.

* Punished marriages contrary to biblical law.

* Protected the property of churches.

* Required that oaths be phrased by the words "So help me God" and be sworn on the Bible.

* Granted land to Christian schools.

* Allowed government property and facilities to be used for worship.



* Allowed and encouraged clergymen to hold public office.

* Funded religious books for public libraries.

* Funded salaries for missionaries.

* Exempted churches from taxation.

* Established professional schools of theology.

* Wrote treaties requiring other nations to guarantee religious freedom, including religious speeches and prayer in official ceremonies.

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And concerning the "Deists" lie.



The Founding Fathers of this country were virtually all Christians. While a few can be found to have written letters expressing opinions on certain hypocracies of the Church or the dangers of religious influences they still consider themselves very religious men who recognize that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Below is a list every single founding father and their religious affiliation. It is the atheists that have invented the "Deist Lie".



Revelation 22:15

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.



Signers of the Constitution



Daniel Carroll Catholic,

Thomas Fitzsimons Catholic,

Roger Sherman Congregationalist,

Nathaniel Gorham Congregationalist,

John Langdon Congregationalist,

Nicholas Gilman Congregationalist,

Abraham Baldwin Congregationalist/Episcopalian,

William Samuel Johnson Episcopalian; Presbyterian,

James Madison Jr. Episcopalian,

George Read Episcopalian,

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Episcopalian,

David Brearly Episcopalian,

Richard Dobbs Spaight, Sr. Episcopalian,

Robert Morris Episcopalian,

Gouverneur Morris Episcopalian,

John Rutledge Episcopalian,

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Episcopalian,

Charles Pinckney Episcopalian,

Pierce Butler Episcopalian,

George Washington Episcopalian,

Benjamin Franklin Episcopalian (Deist),

William Blount Episcopalian; Presbyterian,

James Wilson Episcopalian; Presbyteran,

Rufus King Episcopalian; Congregationalist,

Jacob Broom Lutheran,

William Few Methodist,

Richard Bassett Methodist,

Gunning Bedford Jr. Presbyterian,

James McHenry Presbyterian,

William Livingston Presbyterian,

William Paterson Presbyterian,

Hugh Williamson Presbyterian,

Jared Ingersoll Presbyterian,

Alexander Hamilton Huguenot; Presbyterian; Episcopalian,

Jonathan Dayton Presbyterian; Episcopalian,

John Blair Presbyterian; Episcopalian,

John Dickinson Quaker; Episcopalian,

George Clymer Quaker; Episcopalian,

Thomas Mifflin Quaker; Lutheran,



Men who didnt sign but debated the Constitution



Oliver Ellsworth Congregationalist,

Caleb Strong Congregationalist,

John Lansing, Jr. Dutch Reformed,

Robert Yates Dutch Reformed,

William Houstoun Episcopalian,

William Leigh Pierce Episcopalian,

Luther Martin Episcopalian,

John F. Mercer Episcopalian,

Elbridge Gerry Episcopalian,

George Mason Episcopalian,

Edmund J. Randolph Episcopalian,

George Wythe Episcopalian,

James McClurg Presbyterian,

William C. Houston Presbyterian,

William R. Davie Presbyterian,

Alexander Martin Presbyterian,





Signers of the Declaration of Independencej



Charles Carroll Catholic,

Samuel Huntington Congregationalist,

Roger Sherman Congregationalist,

William Williams Congregationalist,

Oliver Wolcott Congregationalist,

Lyman Hall Congregationalist,

Samuel Adams Congregationalist,

John Hancock Congregationalist,

Josiah Bartlett Congregationalist,

William Whipple Congregationalist,

William Ellery Congregationalist,

John Adams Congregationalist; Unitarian,

Robert Treat Paine Congregationalist; Unitarian,

George Walton Episcopalian,

John Penn Episcopalian,

George Ross Episcopalian,

Thomas Heyward Jr. Episcopalian,

Thomas Lynch Jr. Episcopalian,

Arthur Middleton Episcopalian,

Edward Rutledge Episcopalian,

Francis Lightfoot Lee Episcopalian,

Richard Henry Lee Episcopalian,

George Read Episcopalian,

Caesar Rodney Episcopalian,

Samuel Chase Episcopalian,

William Paca Episcopalian,

Thomas Stone Episcopalian,

Elbridge Gerry Episcopalian,

Francis Hopkinson Episcopalian,

Francis Lewis Episcopalian,

Lewis Morris Episcopalian,

William Hooper Episcopalian,

Robert Morris Episcopalian,

John Morton Episcopalian,

Stephen Hopkins Episcopalian,

Carter Braxton Episcopalian,

Benjamin Harrison Episcopalian,

Thomas Nelson Jr. Episcopalian,

George Wythe Episcopalian,

Thomas Jefferson Episcopalian (Deist),

Benjamin Franklin Episcopalian (Deist),

Button Gwinnett Episcopalian; Congregationalist,

James Wilson Episcopalian; Presbyterian,

Joseph Hewes Quaker, Episcopalian,

George Clymer Quaker, Episcopalian,

Thomas McKean Presbyterian,

Matthew Thornton Presbyterian,

Abraham Clark Presbyterian,

John Hart Presbyterian,

Richard Stockton Presbyterian,

John Witherspoon Presbyterian,

William Floyd Presbyterian,

Philip Livingston Presbyterian,

James Smith Presbyterian,

George Taylor Presbyterian,

Benjamin Rush Presbyterian,





Signers of the Articles of Confederation





Daniel Carroll Catholic,

Andrew Adams Congregationalist,

Richard Hutson Congregationalist,

Samuel Adams Congregationalist,

Josiah Bartlett Congregationalist,

William Ellery Congregationalist,

John Hancock Congregationalist,

Samuel Huntington Congregationalist,

Roger Sherman Congregationalist,

Oliver Wolcott Congregationalist,

Thomas Heyward Jr. Episcopalian,

John Penn Episcopalian,

Francis Lightfoot Lee Episcopalian,

Richard Henry Lee Episcopalian,

Francis Lewis Episcopalian,

Elbridge Gerry Episcopalian,

John Banister Episcopalian,

James Duane Episcopalian,

Edward Langworthy Episcopalian,

Gouverneur Morris Episcopalian,

Nicholas Van Dyke Episcopalian,

Robert Morris Episcopalian,

Cornelius Harnett Episcopalian (Deist),

John Dickinson Quaker; Episcopalian,

Henry Laurens Huguenot,

John Hanson Lutheran,

Thomas McKean Presbyterian,

John Witherspoon Presbyterian,

John Walton Presbyterian,

Nathaniel Scudder Presbyterian,

William Clingan Protestant,

Joseph Reed Protestant,

Daniel Roberdeau Protestant,

Jonathan Bayard Smith Protestant,

Francis Dana Protestant,

Samuel Holten Protestant,

James Lovell Protestant,

Henry Marchant Protestant,

John Collins Protestant,

Thomas Adams Protestant,

John Harvie Protestant,

John Mathews Protestant,

William Henry Drayton Protestant,

William Duer Protestant,

Titus Hosmer Protestant,

Edward Telfair Protestant,

John Wentworth Jr. Protestant,

John Williams Protestant.

______________________________________

Answer 23

SATAN! ur quotes is LIES from the FATHER OF LIES!