How many of you actually know the religious beliefs of the founding fathers?

Question

Just wondering, since I do hear the argument "The US was founded as a Christian nation" often, how many of you actually know the beliefs of, say, Thomas Jefferson?

If you would like to put a specific religion/ denomination, please state your source.

Bravo Bill, anyone else?

Answer 1

The most prominent of the founding fathers were deists. Jefferson, in particular, loathed Christianity... especially the clergy. For those that say that Christian ideals were incorporated into the law of the land... nothing could be farther from the truth. It was based on the Code of Hammurabi, English Common Law and the Constitution of the Iroquois Confederation. The philosophical basis for the new republic arose from the ideals of the 'Age of Enlightenment', which gave birth to 'secular humanism'.

Answer 2

Here are a few quotes. It is clear that organized religion did not attract them as much as a personal faith in God.

“Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.” – Thomas Jefferson

“Question with boldness even the existence of God, because, if there be one, He must more approve of the homage of reason than blind faith.” -- Thomas Jefferson, American President

“I have sworn upon the alter of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” – Thomas Jefferson

Advise, keep away from denominations, which are orgainized religions. Believe what you will.

Answer 3

Many were traditional Christians, but others, including Jefferson and Franklin, were deists, meaning that the accepted the basic notion of God and the moral teachings of Jesus but steered clear of certitude on matters of theology. This was actually a widespread religious viewpoint in those days, particularly among the educated class that was at the head of the
Revolutionary movement.
I see that JerseyRick has already linked you to the Tripolitan Treaty.
We are asked to view the Founders as bland marble sculptures. In fact, theirs was a time of philosophical and religious speculation and experimentation. They were revolutionaries in more than just the political sense.

Answer 4

I've spent some time studying this. I led a series of discussions on the faiths of America's founders for both our local Humanist Community and Unitarian Universalist fellowship. Very interesting stuff.

Jefferson called himself a Christian, though he denied the divinity of Jesus and considered the Christian scriptures thoroughly tainted. He admired Unitarianism (not the Unitarian Universalism of today, though) and predicted in 1822 that "there is not a young man now living in the US who will not die an Unitarian."

Benjamin Franklin was essentially a Deist, but he proudly gave his financial support to various Christian denominations and at least one synagogue.

Washington is a little more difficult to pin down. He attended Christian services but did not take communion. He showed his support for religious pluralism in various ways. To quote from Wikipedia: "In 1775, he ordered that his troops not show anti-Catholic sentiments by burning the pope in effigy on Guy Fawkes Night. When hiring workmen for Mount Vernon, he wrote to his agent, 'If they be good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa, or Europe; they may be Mohammedans, Jews, or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists.'"

Most telling, at least for me, is that these men of faith also strongly believed that matters of faith or moral philosophy should be left to the individual. Wise men, our founders.

Answer 5

I believe a great many of them were agnostic possibly even atheists, however this nation was founded on the right to free speech, religion, thoughts....this was to be a nation where all could get along and believe what they liked. Isn't it ironic that in nation founded on such beliefs, such hypocrisy can rule the masses. You really do not have free speech. If your right to free speech infringes on mine who is right? Is it the right of free speech that gets trampled on when a family dealing with a great loss are hounded by the press in order to make the almighty dollar. Where does the press' freedom end and ours begin?

Answer 6

maximum have been Christians. not Evangelicals, only random Christians. I purely bear in strategies Adams calling himself particularly a Deist and Jefferson hinting that he became in actuality an Agnostic. it is believed that they have been: Franklin: Puritan Washington: Rumored to be Protestant, yet became not everyday for taking communion. became in ordinary church attendance. Adams: Deist Jefferson: Agnostic John Jay: Anglican Madison: Deist Hamilton: not particular. observed many Jewish customs and philosophies. Wasn't common in the Church of england nor the Catholic Church.

Answer 7

I do not know specific religions or denominations. But since one of the main reasons the revolution was fought was religious freedom (freedom from the dictates of the Church Of England), it goes to common sense that they were religious men. And the wording of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill Of Rights indicates a Christian belief in God.

But believe me, after your question, now the research starts. I had never thought of that angle before. Thanks!

Answer 8

In Jefferson's own words... The founding fathers were mostly not christian,...or at least bible/jesus christians...

In his own words, he & others were in fact Deists..

ITS A FACT people...get over it...

Any discussion that the majority are christian is based on wishful thinking and deviates from reality.

They were not christian by any 'christian' defination.
IN fact jefferson once said that Jesus was a great moral leader, but did not consider him the son of god. but did consider Jesus comments & words in the bible to be "like diamonds in a dunghill" <--somewhat like that.. like diamonds in c_r_a_p.

Answer 9

Thomas jefferson was a theist. Theism was a part of the "pop Culture" of the times. Why not choose someone like george Washington where there is a clear historical reference to not only his religious background but even recorded prayers.

Answer 10

Some sources say the Franklin and Washington were atheists while others say they weren't. I've actually heard that Washington said he was the faith of wise men. When asked of what that was, he stated, "Wise men never tell." And he never did, supposedly, but it would seem that he was Atheist and didn't want to be discriminated against.