Those who wish to promote the secularization of the United States often point to the writings of a few Founding Fathers in order to assert that the Founders were primarily Deists, rather than Christian, and that their original intent was to establish a secular nation. Certainly, there is evidence to suggest that some highly respected intellectuals and politicians of the day, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin may have, at least at some points during their lives, been more Deistic than Biblical in their thinking.

Deists believe in the existence of God. However, the Deist belief system generally views God as the Creator of the Universe, and not much more. (See Deism.) A Deist would not see God as being involved in the outcome of a war, the election of government official, the establishment of a law, or the rise and fall of nation, and in this respect, Deism is contradictory to Christian beliefs, and more in line with secular humanism.

The Puritans were a predominant influence in early colonial life, and came to the new world specifically to move away from the secularization of the Church of England, and the intolerance of the leaders of the Church of England towards any alternative views. In their Mayflower Compact, they wrote:

In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten…by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith…Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith… (See the Mayflower Compact.)

The population of the colonies during the American Revolution, however, was over 99% Christian, and the Founding Fathers were elected by this general population to represent them at the government level. As representatives of the people, politicians, including professed, closet, or experimental “Deists,” respectfully worked within the general mindset of the people they represented.

The vast majority of the colonists and the Founding Fathers were Christian, and saw the successful Revolution and formation of the United States as a blessing from God God as being very active in their personal, religious, and political lives. Just one example is the establishment of the first Thanksgiving:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of; And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence, but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defence and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a Measure to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops and to crown our Arms with most signal success...(See the establishment of the first Thanksgiving.)

Note: For additional study on this subject, I recommend the online resources posted by David Barton’s WallBuilders, and a Tutorial explaining Founding Fathers quotes that seem to show they weren't Christian created by Thomas and Misha Eades.

Jenn Sierra

September 23, 2006

JennSierra@gmail.com
http://www.jennsierra.com/