Note to Liberals: America’s Founders Were Christians

[Guest]

Written on Friday, April 12, 2013 by David L. Goetsch

After spending 36 years in higher education as a professor and administrator, I grew accustomed to hearing liberals tell one of their favorite lies: America’s founders were not Christians. I don’t know what it is about Christians that liberals find so frightening that they feel compelled to adopt a position blatantly at odds with the historical record. However, my experience in higher education leads me to believe that anti-Christian liberals think they can get away with such rhetorical perfidy because they are typically speaking to people who simply do not know their American history or, worse yet, have been so thoroughly indoctrinated in the public schools they don’t even care to know it. I taught hundreds of college students over the years—public school graduates—whose attitudes toward the religious beliefs of America’s founders can be summarized in this way: Don’t bore me with the facts—my mind is made up.

Having retired from higher education more than a year ago, it had been a while since I had heard some fact-challenged liberal claim that America’s founders were not Christians or that, at best, they were deists. But that changed recently while I was getting a haircut. My barber is a transplanted Californian so he probably cannot be blamed for his liberal worldview, nor can he be cured of it. I bristled a little when he made the comment to another customer that America’s founders were not Christians. However, since at the time he was using a straight razor on the back of my neck I thought it best to not excite him by challenging his comment. Instead, when he was done with my haircut I asked if he had ever studied the religious views and backgrounds of our founders. He admitted that he was just repeating what he had learned in school (Yes he went to public school in California). I recommended that he look into the question himself. This article summarizes what my barber will find if he follows through and actually does some legitimate, objective research.

About the religious views of the fifty-five men who developed America’s Constitution, my barber will find the following information: 26 were Episcopalians, 11 were Presbyterians, 7 were Congregationalists, 2 were Lutherans, 2 were Dutch Reformed, 2 were Methodists, 2 were Quakers, 2 were Roman Catholics, and one was Benjamin Franklin (whose religious views are still hard to pin down). Because Franklin’s views are difficult to ascertain with any degree of certainty, he is the founder liberals like to use as their example of our “non-Christian” founders. Of course, by focusing the attention of listeners on Benjamin Franklin liberals are able to avoid having to discuss the religious views of the other 54 founders.

Anti-Christian liberals like to quote Benjamin Franklin’s views expressed at various times in his life to validate their claim that America’s founders were not Christians. However, they are forced to choose their Franklin quotes carefully or risk invalidating their biased claim. For example, anti-Christian liberals studiously avoid this Franklin quote:

“God governs in the affairs of men. 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, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”

Franklin made this thoroughly Christian statement during one of the hotter moments of verbal discord during the Constitutional Convention. It is quite a statement for a man who is the poster boy for liberals who want to claim that America’s founders were not Christians.

http://patriotupdate.com/articles/note-to-liberals-americas-founders-were-christians/#ixzz2QI4kK0dV

[lazarus]

It's unfortunate that Ben Franklin was used as an example. Men may call themselves Chrsitian's but their lifestyle may testify to something else.

[Tom Wetmore]

Very good point. The basic premise of the the present day history revisionists on this point is that the founding fathers were just like them. This idea is being pressed by right wing politically conservatives were are predominantly evangelical fundamentalist Christians. I doubt you could find any of the founding fathers that would fit into that class of Christians, in their beliefs, religious observance or lifestyle.

[Guest]

History revisionists? Ha! what a joke! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

But you are right to say they were not "evangelical christians". Those didn't come until later. But that in no way changes the fact that they were Christian in their beliefs, and that this country was founded on Christian principals.

Maybe read a biography or two. Preferably one that wasn't written last year.

[lazarus]

I read Walter Isaacson's bio on Franklin, very informative and entertaining. I don't think anyone with knowledge of Franklin's life could suggest that he was a Christian in a husband of one wife, church going sense.

[OzarkWoman]

I read Walter Isaacson's bio on Franklin, very informative and entertaining. I don't think anyone with knowledge of Franklin's life could suggest that he was a Christian in a husband of one wife, church going sense.

I am sure if we really looked, we would find non-Christian stuff that you do and say, but you call yourself a Christian. That would go for all of us, so your point is moot and stupid, to say the least.

[bonnie]

[bonnie]

Continued from Page 1)

Samuel Adams

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Father of the American Revolution

"And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace."

--As Governor of Massachusetts, Proclamation of a Day of Fast, March 20, 1797.

James Madison

4th U.S. President

"A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven."

--Written to William Bradford on November 9, 1772, Faith of Our Founding Fathers by Tim LaHaye, pp. 130-131; Christianity and the Constitution — The Faith of Our Founding Fathers by John Eidsmoe, p. 98.

Notice of Correction: I wish to acknowledge that the following quotation, previously attributed to James Madison, has been found to be the actual declaration of Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, first president of Princeton University where James Madison studied. In researching this correction, I discovered as well that some sources wrongly attribute the quote to Rev. John Witherspoon, the president of Princeton University when James Madison graduated.

"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ."

--America's Providential History by Stephen K. McDowell, p. 93.

James Monroe

5th U.S. President

"When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good."

--Monroe made this statement in his 2nd Annual Message to Congress, November 16, 1818.

John Quincy Adams

6th U.S. President

"The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made 'bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' (Isaiah 52:10)."

--Life of John Quincy Adams, p. 248.

William Penn

Founder of Pennsylvania

"I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself."

--Treatise of the Religion of the Quakers, p. 355.

Roger Sherman

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution

"I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance equal in power and glory. That the scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. That God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, so as thereby he is not the author or approver of sin. That he creates all things, and preserves and governs all creatures and all their actions, in a manner perfectly consistent with the freedom of will in moral agents, and the usefulness of means. That he made man at first perfectly holy, that the first man sinned, and as he was the public head of his posterity, they all became sinners in consequence of his first transgression, are wholly indisposed to that which is good and inclined to evil, and on account of sin are liable to all the miseries of this life, to death, and to the pains of hell forever.

"I believe that God having elected some of mankind to eternal life, did send his own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the gospel offer: also by his special grace and spirit, to regenerate, sanctify and enable to persevere in holiness, all who shall be saved; and to procure in consequence of their repentance and faith in himself their justification by virtue of his atonement as the only meritorious cause.

"I believe a visible church to be a congregation of those who make a credible profession of their faith in Christ, and obedience to him, joined by the bond of the covenant.

"I believe that the souls of believers are at their death made perfectly holy, and immediately taken to glory: that at the end of this world there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a final judgement of all mankind, when the righteous shall be publicly acquitted by Christ the Judge and admitted to everlasting life and glory, and the wicked be sentenced to everlasting punishment."

--The Life of Roger Sherman, pp. 272-273.

[bonnie]

Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!"

--The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, pp. 165-166.

"Christianity is the only true and perfect religion, and that in proportion as mankind adopts its principles and obeys its precepts, they will be wise and happy."

--Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798.

"I know there is an objection among many people to teaching children doctrines of any kind, because they are liable to be controverted. But let us not be wiser than our Maker.

"If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into all the world would have been unnecessary. The perfect morality of the gospel rests upon the doctrine which, though often controverted has never been refuted: I mean the vicarious life and death of the Son of God."

--Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798.

John Witherspoon

Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Clergyman and President of Princeton University

"While we give praise to God, the Supreme Disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh ... If your cause is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts.

"What follows from this? That he is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind.

"Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy of his country."

--Sermon at Princeton University, "The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men," May 17, 1776.

Alexander Hamilton

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man."

--Famous American Statesmen, p. 126.

Patrick Henry

Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

--The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii.

"The Bible ... is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed."

--Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry, p. 402.

John Jay

1st Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and President of the American Bible Society

"By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.

"The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve."

--In God We Trust—The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers, p. 379.

"In forming and settling my belief relative to the doctrines of Christianity, I adopted no articles from creeds but such only as, on careful examination, I found to be confirmed by the Bible."

[Ted Oplinger]

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists. That said, they recognized where the great principles of liberty came from - or, more properly, WHO they came from.

The Founding Fathers came from many different Christian backgrounds. They recognized that every nation was "under God" - ultimately responsible to God for how the people were governed. They also recognized that the Judeo-Christian God had planted many rights within the human heart, and that no government was at liberty to take those rights away - for any reason - without repercussion.

The Founding Fathers became the first group of men in our recorded history to build a government framework around the concept of protecting the rights and liberties that the Living God gave to each born on earth. Even with its errors and stumbles, this concept rocketed the new nation to global influence - and maintained it - faster than the rest of this country's contemporaries (many of whom have far more ancient histories than does this nation).

Alas, however - though as brilliantly conceived as it is, our Living God predicted this nation would speak as the dragon speaks, increasingly, until one day it would indeed turn its back upon the very God whose principles made it great.

Nearly all of US politics right now is centered around the concept of people control, rather than solving the very real issues plaguing this nation. Who controls who is at the very root of the dragon's speaking.

Such was remarkably minimized among our Founding Fathers' thinking, despite the varied backgrounds they all hailed from.

Blessings,

[OzarkWoman]

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists. That said, they recognized where the great principles of liberty came from - or, more properly, WHO they came from.

The Founding Fathers came from many different Christian backgrounds. They recognized that every nation was "under God" - ultimately responsible to God for how the people were governed. They also recognized that the Judeo-Christian God had planted many rights within the human heart, and that no government was at liberty to take those rights away - for any reason - without repercussion.

The Founding Fathers became the first group of men in our recorded history to build a government framework around the concept of protecting the rights and liberties that the Living God gave to each born on earth. Even with its errors and stumbles, this concept rocketed the new nation to global influence - and maintained it - faster than the rest of this country's contemporaries (many of whom have far more ancient histories than does this nation).

Alas, however - though as brilliantly conceived as it is, our Living God predicted this nation would speak as the dragon speaks, increasingly, until one day it would indeed turn its back upon the very God whose principles made it great.

Nearly all of US politics right now is centered around the concept of people control, rather than solving the very real issues plaguing this nation. Who controls who is at the very root of the dragon's speaking.

Such was remarkably minimized among our Founding Fathers' thinking, despite the varied backgrounds they all hailed from.

Blessings,

[lazarus]

I am sure if we really looked, we would find non-Christian stuff that you do and say, but you call yourself a Christian. That would go for all of us, so your point is moot and stupid, to say the least.

Oh !!!

but I think you "liked" the following:

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

[Ted Oplinger]

Originally Posted By: OzarkWoman

I am sure if we really looked, we would find non-Christian stuff that you do and say, but you call yourself a Christian. That would go for all of us, so your point is moot and stupid, to say the least.

Oh !!!

but I think you "liked" the following:

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

And your point of argumentation is....?

Blessings,

[OzarkWoman]

Originally Posted By: OzarkWoman

I am sure if we really looked, we would find non-Christian stuff that you do and say, but you call yourself a Christian. That would go for all of us, so your point is moot and stupid, to say the least.

Oh !!!

but I think you "liked" the following:

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

So what? What I said is still true. Liberals sure do have dfunny thinking.

[bonnie]

Oh !!!

but I think you "liked" the following:

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

Many people claim to be "christian" because they profess a belief in God.

Ben Franklin certainly did not behave in the manner we would expect of a professed "christian".

That is true for a lot of men/women that have made the history books.

Was MLK a "christian"? His behavior certainly left a lot to be desired.

Many others have declared themselves "christian" and have some very unchristian like behavior.

Did Ben Franklin intend or want this nation founded of the principals of a divine being?

[joeb]

Very good point. The basic premise of the the present day history revisionists on this point is that the founding fathers were just like them. This idea is being pressed by right wing politically conservatives were are predominantly evangelical fundamentalist Christians. I doubt you could find any of the founding fathers that would fit into that class of Christians, in their beliefs, religious observance or lifestyle.

I'd say you have been reading revisionist historians. Benjamin Franklin's coffin was escorted to the graveyard by every minister, rabbi, priest, etc... in the town of Philidelphia. He had liberally supported every religious effort in town for decades before his death. He had also supported the great preacher Whitfield almost entirely for some extended periods of time.

He also said that everyone ought to live their life as if they were going to have to account for every action of their life. Why? Because he believed that God is going to judge every man according to his works. Sounds SDA'esque doesn't it?

Franklin patterned his habits of work, industry, giving, etc... on Biblical principles. He believed them to the be the only solid foundation for a meaningful life. Not long before his death he said that a man should live so that when he dies people will talk afterward about how he had helped others, not how much money he had. Sounds just like the Golden Rule of which Jesus said "this is the law and the prophets". Sounds to me like Ben Franklin had a very good idea as to who God is.

I'm proud to call Ben Franklin a fellow brother in Christ.

[lazarus]

I'm proud to call Ben Franklin a fellow brother in Christ.

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

[OzarkWoman]

Originally Posted By: joeb

I'm proud to call Ben Franklin a fellow brother in Christ.

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

And your point is? We all know this, so what are you trying to prove anyway?

[joeb]

Originally Posted By: lazarus

Ben Franklin, and others, were not Christian in the truest sense - they were Deists.

And your point is? We all know this, so what are you trying to prove anyway?

He's just trolling, as usual. He has the usual conceit that thinks a conservative is a mindless idiot that has no knowledge of history and historical people, and no ability to think.

He's just trying to pick a fight of wits, but I no longer fight with unarmed people.

[bonnie]

He's just trolling, as usual. He has the usual conceit that thinks a conservative is a mindless idiot that has no knowledge of history and historical people, and no ability to think.

He's just trying to pick a fight of wits, but I no longer fight with unarmed people.

It almost comes across as a fear that the founding fathers believed in a divine creator and based this nation on "christian principals"

So many see the mere mention of God connected in some way to force a national religion.

We were never meant to be protected or shielded from the word God or christian principals.We were to be protected from the government forcing religion or a belief in God on anyone.

[Ted Oplinger]

Joeb - take a good look at the opening words to my post #625289, then look at Laz's words in replying to you in his post #625528.

The good brother is not only trolling this thread, he does so with others' words and thought...

Blessings,

[OzarkWoman]

He's just trolling, as usual. He has the usual conceit that thinks a conservative is a mindless idiot that has no knowledge of history and historical people, and no ability to think.

He's just trying to pick a fight of wits, but I no longer fight with unarmed people.

Might be just that except that I have a Masters in American History and I do know about the founding of this nation.

[joeb]

Joeb - take a good look at the opening words to my post #625289, then look at Laz's words in replying to you in his post #625528.

The good brother is not only trolling this thread, he does so with others' words and thought...

Blessings,

LOL. That's what trolls do when they have no words of their own. IOWs, that's typical troll behavior. I've seen some really good ones in my years on the internet, and Laz just isn't in their class.

[lazarus]

Joeb, do you still think Franklin was a Christian?

[Tom Wetmore]

Originally Posted By: Ted Oplinger

Joeb - take a good look at the opening words to my post #625289, then look at Laz's words in replying to you in his post #625528.

The good brother is not only trolling this thread, he does so with others' words and thought...

Blessings,

LOL. That's what trolls do when they have no words of their own. IOWs, that's typical troll behavior. I've seen some really good ones in my years on the internet, and Laz just isn't in their class.

When one resorts to name calling and other assorted ad hominem comments, it's a fair indication that one has run out of steam and reasonable responses...

As for Ben Franklin, he was an odd Christian, one that doubted the divinity of Christ, rarely attended church, and rejected all religious dogma and doctrine, including the doctrine of salvation. He was indeed a great supporter of religion in general, seeing it as good for society, but he might be better described as a freethinker. He was most clearly a Diest, which really put him on the fringes of Christianity at best.

That anyone might place much credence in being labeled as a Christian, the meaning and relevance in the apparent context of this thread is best neutralized by legitimately invoking Godwin's law - Hitler was a Christian too.