Were We Founded As A Christian Nation?

Many of the founding fathers certainly believed that we were a Christian nation.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” John Adams, 1798

“It cannot be empasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded , not by religionists, but by Christians …” Patrick Henry

"If we will not be governed by God, we must be governed by tyrants." William Penn

"By Liberty of Conscience, we understand not only a mere Liberty of the Mind ... but the exercise of ourselves in a visible way of worship, upon our believing it to be indispensably required at our hands, that if we neglect it for fear or favor of any mortal man, we sin, and incur divine wrath." (Written in Newgate Prison, 1670) William Penn

“Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the Christian religion… The religion which has introduced civil liberty, is the religion of Christ and his apostles… This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.”Noah Webster

“God intends you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God… If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupt.” Daniel Webster



A stained glass replica of a painting of the first Continental Congress in 1774 depicts the entire congress in fervent prayer

The Mayflower Compact(excerpt)

In the Name of God, Amen.

We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

There is so much evidence and there are so many quotes from so many of the founding fathers, that only the willfully blind, the revisionist and the anti-Christian can deny the truth.

George Washington's "Earnest Prayer" (excerpt)

I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that he 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 mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.

At his first inauguration, George Washington took the oath of office for the presidency on April 30, 1789. He was standing on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City with his hand on an open Bible. After he finished taking the oath, the audience in attendance gave a thunderous ovation and bells of the various churches began ringing in his honor.
Inaugural Prayer of George Washington April 30, 1789(excerpts)

Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aide can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes; and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.

In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States...........
...We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; ...
...I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the Benign Parent of the Human Race,...

President George Washington's prayer for America

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

And finally that Thou wilt 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 mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Here is a Link to George Washington's prayer journal

I could go on and on. I have not even scratched the surface. The truth is that the United States was founded by Christians, mainly protestants, as a haven for Christians and was meant to be a Christian nation.

reply to post by DarthMuerte


and slaves at the time were meant to be slaves forever...times change my friend and this is not longer a Christian Nation nor will it ever be...it's the "Great American Melting Pot"...anybody know the reference? Star and flag if you do..Are you saying that it should remain a Christian Nation and we should all be Christians?

reply to post by DarthMuerte


There is plenty of evidence to show that most of the founding fathers were not theists in the least bit.

If the U.S. was founded on the Christian religion, the Constitution would clearly say so--but it does not. Nowhere does the Constitution say: "The United States is a Christian Nation", or anything even close to that. In fact, the words "Jesus Christ, Christianity, Bible, Creator, Divine, and God" are never mentioned in the Constitution-- not even once. Nowhere in the Constitution is religion mentioned, except in exclusionary terms. When the Founders wrote the nation's Constitution, they specified that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." (Article 6, section 3) This provision was radical in its day-- giving equal citizenship to believers and non-believers alike. They wanted to ensure that no religion could make the claim of being the official, national religion, such as England had.

The Declaration of Independence gives us important insight into the opinions of the Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the power of the government is derived from the governed. Up until that time, it was claimed that kings ruled nations by the authority of God. The Declaration was a radical departure from the idea that the power to rule over other people comes from god. It was a letter from the Colonies to the English King, stating their intentions to seperate themselves. The Declaration is not a governing document. It mentions "Nature's God" and "Divine Providence"-- but as you will soon see, that's the language of Deism, not Christianity. The 1796 Treaty with Tripoli states that the United States was "not in any sense founded on the Christian religion" (see the image on the right). This was not an idle statement meant to satisfy muslims-- they believed it and meant it. This treaty was written under the presidency of George Washington and signed under the presidency of John Adams.

Source

Alternate Source

Just one of many sources.

It seems that as stated in this publications, that Christians are trying to re-write history.

~Tenth

reply to post by DarthMuerte


I almost posted this yesterday after watching the latest Hal Lindsey show yesterday. Great thread by the way.

Ok, let's just assume you are correct and we will say America was founded as a Christian Nation.

So what?

What's your point?

reply to post by DarthMuerte


just a few reminders, I have posted these things before on ATS.

-George Washington~Deist "He refused to kneel in Church and take communion" Him kneeling at Valley Forge is a fictitious rendering by the artist.

-John Adams~ Unitarian "The government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian Religion"

~Benjamin Franklin~Vistied the infamous Hellfire Club frequently [during his time in England] (dedicated to "black magic", and political conspiracies) "he did not believe in the immortality of the soul and believe evil to be 'permissible' because presumably if God created everything he created evil as well" A Letter to Ezra Stiles president of Yale that he "doubted the divinity of Christ, but believes in his moral teachings"

~Thomas Paine~Deist author of "The Age of Reason", "The age of ignorance commenced with the Christian system"

~Thomas Jefferson~ Speaking on "this loathsome combination between Church and State" he said, "Question with boldness even the existence of god, for if there be one he must more approve the homage of reason over that of blind fear". In 1802 he made the first amendment to build a wall of separation between Church and State. "I do not find in Orthodox Christianity not one redeeming feature". Also..."The Christian god is cruel, vindictive, capricious, and unjust"...Also "Religions are all alike-founded upon fables and mythologies."

~James Madison~"What has been Christianity's fruits?-Superstition, bigotry, and persecution."

The Founding Fathers did NOT put "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, nor did they put "In God We Trust" on US currency.

*"Under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance by an Act of Congress in 1954 during the McCarthy hysteria.

*"In God We Trust" was added to US currency [coins] in 1864 and became the official motto of the US only in 1956

-The motto conceived by the founding fathers was "Out of many, One"

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" Ben Franklin

We could go into all the pagan statues around Washington DC but right now I don't have time to post.

ats link

LOL. YOU ARE SO WRONG.

Do you know why the pilgrims settled in the good old USA.

Religious intolerance. They were puritanical separatists who were seeking to escape what they seen as a too liberal religious agenda.

They would not and could stand for any threat to there own religious agenda. Thats why they left Holland for England and then set of for America.

So that they could maintain their own beliefs without having to consider anyone else's.

Not christians, extremists.

Originally posted by chrismarco
reply to post by DarthMuerte

 

and slaves at the time were meant to be slaves forever...times change my friend and this is not longer a Christian Nation nor will it ever be...it's the "Great American Melting Pot"...anybody know the reference? Star and flag if you do..Are you saying that it should remain a Christian Nation and we should all be Christians?

Actually, I am. That is the only way we can ever regain our freedoms. Look at the William Penn quote again. We must be ruled by God or by tyrants. Those who submit to Christ, and through him to God, do not need to be micromanaged by all of these stupid laws. Those who will not submit to Christ will be ruled by tyrants. It is inevitable and even now coming to pass.

reply to post by DarthMuerte


Submitting to Christ is the same thing as submitting to a tyrant.

It's submission.

Either way you're a slave, it's just a matter of whether or not you can see, touch, smell, hear or be slapped by the one you believe in.

~Tenth

Sorry we are not a Christian nation. The founding fathers saw how controlling the church was and wanted to get away from it. Doesn't the schools teach that freedom of religion was one of the reasons this nation was started? If we were a Christian nation then this wouldn't be true as other religions wouldn't be allowed.

reply to post by tothetenthpower

I must disagree with you. The history is being rewritten by the atheists and others unwilling to submit to the will of God. When you can find copies of the older manuscripts, you can see it for yourself.

reply to post by DarthMuerte

Actually, I am. That is the only way we can ever regain our freedoms.

Oh...I see...you are a religious extremist.

So what is your solution...convert to Christianity or be kicked out of the country...or maybe that is too much work...maybe just execute those that don't convert???

Originally posted by DarthMuerte
reply to post by tothetenthpower

 

I must disagree with you. The history is being rewritten by the atheists and others unwilling to submit to the will of God. When you can find copies of the older manuscripts, you can see it for yourself.

No, clearly, as has been pointed out to you, and sourced, it's the other way around. Your nation is not a Christian Nation, it was never intended to be one.

Please don't disregard facts because they contradict your belief system. If you're going to do that, why ask the question to begin with?

I submit to no will but my own.

And neither should anybody else, but that's opinion.

What older manuscripts? Of what?

The official documents of the Constitution do not support your claims.

~Tenth

reply to post by LDragonFire


I'll take one of your quotes and give you more from John Adams. You can then follow up with all the others you mentioned here: LINK

John Adams

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.1

The Holy Ghost carries on the whole Christian system in this earth. Not a baptism, not a marriage, not a sacrament can be administered but by the Holy Ghost. . . . There is no authority, civil or religious – there can be no legitimate government but what is administered by this Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All without it is rebellion and perdition, or in more orthodox words damnation.2

Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.3

The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.4

Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!5

reply to post by DarthMuerte


S&F

Unfortunately we are no longer a Christian nation. In fact, the American culture is becoming morally bankrupt at a rapid pace, which is why our system is failing. As John Adams pointed out, the system is wholly inadequate for anything other than a moral and religious people.

Everything you need to know about the direction of our country is represented in this video.

reply to post by EnochWasRight

The Treaty of Tripoli (Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary) was the first treaty concluded between the United States of America and Tripolitania, signed at Tripoli on November 4, 1796 and at Algiers (for a third-party witness) on January 3, 1797. It was submitted to the Senate by President John Adams, receiving ratification unanimously from the U.S. Senate on June 7, 1797 and signed by Adams, taking effect as the law of the land on June 10, 1797. The treaty was a routine diplomatic agreement but has attracted later attention because the English version included a clause about religion in the United States.

As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen [Muslims],—and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan [Muslim] nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

treaty of tripoli

Show me evidence in Washington D. C that we are a Christian nation. Show me the Cross.

I can easily show you pagan statues and symbols, but next to no Christian symbols in our nations Capitol.

Originally posted by LDragonFire
Show me evidence in Washington D. C that we are a Christian nation. Show me the Cross.

I can easily show you pagan statues and symbols, but next to no Christian symbols in our nations Capitol.

When I say the US was a ‘Christian nation’ I mean it was founded by and designed for people of high morals and ethics; people who fear God and strive to do the right thing every day; people who adhere to the 10 commandments; people who respect the laws and their fellow Americans; people who try their best to do right by God and their fellow man but occasionally fall short; moral people!

The US was never intended to be a theocracy. Religion is specifically and intentionally absent from our laws and founding documents.The 1st amendment provides the deliberate separation of church and state and protects the right of Americans to practice ANY religion, not just Christianity.

Originally posted by buster2010
Sorry we are not a Christian nation. The founding fathers saw how controlling the church was and wanted to get away from it. Doesn't the schools teach that freedom of religion was one of the reasons this nation was started? If we were a Christian nation then this wouldn't be true as other religions wouldn't be allowed.

The Supreme Court ruled on this matter clearly. The nation was started to preserve freedom of religion. The separation of church and state was never mentioned in the constitution, but promoted by Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. He called it a "Wall of separation between church and state." The intention, in his own words, was a wall to keep Government from interfering with the church in any way. It was never intended to keep the church from being the cornerstone of our civil society.

Two years later, then "President Jefferson, as an official Presidential act, ordered the extension of the 1787 Act of Congress that designated areas of Federal land “for the sole use of Christian Indians and the Moravian Brethren Missionaries for the civilizing of the Indians and promoting Christianity”. " LINK

Supreme Court Ruling

It is more than just interesting to note that whenever the founding fathers wrote about "religion", they almost always were referring to "Christianity". Nearly a hundred years later, in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Church of the Holy Trinity vs. U.S.(1892) cited 87 historical precedents in its conclusion that, "Our laws and institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise. In this sense and to this extent, our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian." (italics mine) Although we hear much today about "the separation of church and state" , you will not find that phrase or that intent in the U.S. constitution. In fact, in an 1811 U.S. Supreme Court case (People vs.Ruggles) the court declared against a man for profaning Jesus Christ and the Bible, ruling that "whatever strikes at the root of Christianity tends manifestly to the dissolution of civil government."

LINK

Oh - here we go again.

Scholarly men of that time did not have TV and Internet.

Instead they were well read - - engaged in debates of - politics - religion - community - world affairs etc.

You will find many writings by most of them that are completely contradictory - - - because they wrote letters and journals - - like today we communicate and discuss on the internet.

They also gathered at the local church. The local church was a community gathering place whether you believed in god or not.

They were mostly Deists in thinking. That a universal God created everything - - - but was not involved in the every day affairs of man.

Christian principle doesn't really have much bearing in a religious way. Its just common sense principles.

Here are the 10 commandments of Solon 594 BCE (Christ not required)

Solon of Athens was an eminent politician, philosopher, and poet of his age. In 594 B.C.E. he established the first democratic constitution of the Athenian state, which was also the world's first written constitution. As recorded by Diogenes Laertius, Solon recommended the following list of rules to live by:

1. Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.
2. Never tell a lie.
3. Pursue worthy aims.
4. Do not be rash to make friends and, when once they are made, do not drop them.
5. Learn to obey before you command.
6. When giving advice, seek to help, not to please.
7. Be led by reason.
8. Shun evil company.
9. Honor the gods.
10. Reverence parents.

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