The topic of the United States’ roots is often a touchy subject. The argument about whether or not America is in fact a “Christian Nation” has never been more prevalent. Religious folk insist that this is a Christian nation, and they have their reasons why they believe that. Non-Christians and most historians say that this is not a Christian nation, and they too have their reasons why they believe that. The answer may be simple, but getting everyone to agree is not. The answer, quite simply, is that the United States of America is in no way now, nor has it ever been, a Christian nation.

I think that part of the reason that there is some confusion as to this nation’s roots is that everyone has a different definition of what “Christian nation” means. Yes, there were some Christians amongst the founding fathers. There were Christian beliefs that were incorporated into the rules of law. And quite often, many of the founders referenced God in their writings. This last part is one of the biggest reasons that people believe that we live in a Christian nation.

Writings by people such as John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other founding fathers often used the word ‘God’. Depending on the writer, it was used in many different ways. Many people mistake the use of the word God with it meaning the Christian God. This is where I believe the bulk of the confusion lies. Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian. George Washington was not a Christian. Yet both used the word God regularly. John Adams, for example, was surely religious. But his (and others like him) involvement in the creation of this country doesn’t make this country Christian.

Many of our founding fathers were deists, as were many people in 18th century America. Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin specifically, were deists. Deism is the belief in a God as a creator type, but not involved in any of the things that many religions rely upon, such as miracles or prophecies. Deism is based more on science and reason, but with the underlying belief that a higher power started the ball in motion, for nature to continue on it’s own. Deism is kind of like a continuation in religion if the great scientists of the 17th century were believed, and scientific advances were accepted into those religions. It is a basic religious belief that is dictated more by the observable and reason, than the supernatural and superstition. It is not the belief in any organized religion or denomination.

When the founding fathers referred to God, they were not necessarily referring to the Christian God, nor to even any God of an organized religion. The deists were referring to a Creator God, but without subscription to an organized religion. Since so many of the founders, including Jefferson, Franklin, and likely Washington were deists, it is hard to comprehend their support of the creation of a Christian nation. And since the foundation of this nation was dependent upon Jefferson’s pen and Washington’s will, it is especially hard to imagine both of them signing off on the creation of a Christian nation.

While I may not personally subscribe to Christianity, it certainly offers it’s share of positive values that can be good for a society. This does not mean that any society with similar laws and virtues is based upon Christianity. This is the situation that we have here in the United States. There are many laws in this nation that are in line with what the Christian Bible teaches. But they are also the same beliefs that any functioning society should live by, and not because of Christianity, but because through trial and error, societies have evolved to become better.

*****

There is one basic leap in logic that the Christian nation supporters take, and that is this: a nation built by Christians is not necessarily a Christian nation. Just as this in not a “white” nation, nor a “male” nation. This country was built primarily by white males. Many of them were religious, but the nation that they built was for all, not for them.

Fortunately for us, the founding fathers and the men who built this nation were not shy about using their pens. Letters upon letters remain, as do vital documents from the time that, when examined, reveal only one answer — this is not a Christian nation.

The most important of all documents is of course the United States Constitution. In this document, religion is mentioned just two times, both of which in instances to limit it’s power in political matters. From the Constitution, verbatim:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (First Amendment)

“The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” (Article VI, Section 3)

And perhaps the most notable writing that refutes the idea of the Christian nation:

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion–as it has itself no character of enmity against the law, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] … (Article 11, ‘Treaty of Peace and Friendship between The United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary,’ 1796-1797)

Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli is significant because it denies the United States as a Christian nation in an official U.S. document. This treaty was approved and signed by President John Adams, one of the most religious founding fathers, and it was approved unanimously by the United States Senate.

While there is some debate about the true meaning of this clause, and whether or not Article 11 actually was supposed to be in the treaty, but nevertheless, it was part of the treaty read aloud by and signed by the Senate.

*****

The faith of the founding fathers is a subject that has been examined over and over again, and the only conclusion that can truly be reached is that there was a variety of faiths that were practiced.

As mentioned earlier, many of the founders were deists, including Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, James Madison and James Monroe. These were men that believed in the old “watchmaker” theory, that God wound the watch, then left the watch to run on it’s own over time, no longer involved in it’s action. Yes, they mention God, and they lived good lives, but to call them Christians is not accurate.

To overlook the anti-religious Thomas Paine and his influence on young America would be wrong as well. Paine was extremely vital to the creation of the United States, as his writing Common Sense was very influential during the Revolution. His views on religion are made quite clear in The Age of Reason, showing that contrary to popular belief, not all of the founders were religious.

The fact that so many of the most important people of that generation did not agree on religious things should be proof enough that this is not a Christian nation. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were more influential and important than almost any other individuals in the creation of this nation. To think that both of these non-Christians would then go on to establish a Christian nation is wildly out of character for both.

For Jefferson to say, “Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law,” or to write his letter that first mentions the “wall of separation” between church and state, is not the work of a man out to create a Christian nation.

For Washington to be so private about his religious views, to the point where many of his closest friends were unsure, and then sign off on creating a Christian nation, is equally out of character.

This country was built upon freedom. The Declaration of Independence was written to break away from a nation that imposed it’s beliefs on it’s people. Logically speaking, why would any of these men, amongst which were thinkers of the highest degree, create a nation that at it’s root was an organized religion. The First Amendment in the Constitution, denies the establishment of an organized religion before it even guarantees free speech.

Not only is this nation not a Christian nation, but it is blatantly against the nation being anything other than a free nation. The only references in the framework of the country to God are against organized religion in America.

*****

This nation was founded with clear intentions. What has happened since has only fogged up an otherwise clear image. The addition of “In God We Trust” to currency, “…under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Harry Truman’s statement that “this is a Christian nation,” are all things that were done after the creation of this nation. These are things that many point to in favor of this being a Christian nation, but are all events that took place well after the creation of this secular nation.

Unfortunately, this is a debate that will go on forever, since the same information that we have now will only be re-looked at and once again, people will arrive at different conclusions. All we have to go on is what we have. And what we have says that this nation was created as a free nation, and part of what we wanted freedom from was religion. Upon examining the history of this country and the men who built it, it is very difficult to come to the conclusion that this group of men would agree to the creation of a Christian nation. And the evidence and documentation supports that.

***
More on the Christian nation myth:

Early America: Founding Fathers Religious Backgrounds & More on Treaty of Tripoli

NPR: Debating America’s Christian Character

Catholic Education Resource Center: Is America a Christian Nation?

Farrell Till: The Christian Nation Myth

Feel free to share...

Discussion

No comments for “America’s Christian Nation Myth”

Post a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.