Is there any proof that the "founding fathers" meant for the USA to be a christian nation ?

Question

I've read some info that indicates that the freedoms written about in old documents were simply freedom to choose between christian variances/denominations, not to be a different religion altogether. Is this really true? Is there any proof of it? If so, how did things go different : couldn't people have simply checked these documents? The way it is, what if no place is left for christians to go live at ? Muslims, buddhists, etc. all have their lands where they make it that religion. Shouldn't christians have a place to live where people who have the same values & beliefs can live in peace without all the things they regard as evil?

Answer 1

"We hold these truths to be self evident at all men are created equal and they are endowed, BY THEIR CREATOR, with certain inalienable rights."

Answer 2

Our founding fathers probably did not give it a second thought. They were all Christian in their own persuasion and probably didn't imagine considering America anything but Christian. Their main concern was that the government would not set up a state religion to be financed by taxes on the people and thus giving preferential treatment over other churches. Our founding fathers came from Puritan, Catholic, Huguenot, Society of Friends, Lutheran, Methodist, etc.; all being considered outsiders in Europe where they originated. They all came to get away from official persecution and negative preferential treatment. Thus, in their wisdom, they established provisions to guarantee freedom to exercise our beliefs without government interference. The no establishment and free exercise clauses of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution have worked well for us with some exceptions. The wording is such that it can encompass other beliefs besides Christianity and I think that did cross their minds when drafting it. However, I also believe that they would be surprised and displeased with the overzealous manner in which the personal expression of beliefs have been curtailed. Personal expressions and displays should fall under free exercise. Nobody is being forced to comply or convert or to support such expressions. It is quite okay for governmental entities to acknowledge the prevailing belief of the citizenry as long as they do not officially endorse or monetarily support the same.
As far as Christians having a place of their own to worship as they please, America is as close as we are going to get. Your desire will be completely fulfilled with the advent of the Christian Millenium. Until then, may you be blessed with peace from the comforter.

Answer 3

The Founding Fathers were all about having a Christian nation, but did not want to force it down our throats (like middle eastern countries). All of the men who signed the Constitution was very pious men and strong in their faith, all of the men were one form of Christians.

There is freedom of choice and freedom of religion. There is however no amendment stating separation of church and state in the US Constitution.

While at Valley Forge: President George Washington, September 17th, 1796 "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" "Bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus. "Of all dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."


Our nation is turning into a secular society and even our buddy from Iran even said that without God a nation is due to fail.


The Danbury Letters were written by Thomas Jefferson "after" the constitution were penned. Get your facts straight Missy.

Answer 4

They were more concerned about keeping religion separate from government, as well as the freedom to practice one's religion.

They were not all christians. While they had positive things to say about god in their writings, belief in god does not make one a christian.

Thomas Paine said, "I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any church that I know of."

John Adams wrote, "The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."

Benjamin Franklin, after weeks of deliberation, proposed that the Constitutional Convention be opened with a prayer. It was voted down.

At Madison's urging, a bill was passed stating, in part, "that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever...nor shall suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief."

Certainly many of the early immigrants to the New World came for religious reasons - often to escape persecution. However, they were not interested in religious freedom for anyone other than themselves, and often turned around and persecuted others who had slightly different viewpoints.

Answer 5

They made it very clear that there was to be a sepreation between church and state so we wouldn't end up like England.

Mr. President

To messers Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem & approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more & more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state. [Congress thus inhibited from acts respecting religion, and the Executive authorised only to execute their acts, I have refrained from presenting even occasional performances of devotion presented indeed legally where an Executive is the legal head of a national church, but subject here, as religious exercises only to the voluntary regulations and discipline of each respective sect.] Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

(signed) Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.