Why do we continue to accept the religion of our founding fathers?

Question

Let's think about some other things the founding fathers believed. Slavery was okay. Oppression of women was okay. Destruction of native populations by incredibly inhuman means was okay. Adultery (as long as it involved raping slave women) was okay. Child labor was okay.
We have rejected all of these things, along with many others. So why do we continue to cling to the religion that all of these at least nominally Christian people followed? This is somewhat similar to the Crusades/Inquisition questions that get asked on here pretty often, but stop and think. This is recent--within the last 300 years, in our very own country. These people didn't support these things because they were Christians, they supported them inspite of being Christians, which is just as bad. Those who claim this to be a "Christian" nation because our founding fathers believed in God should stop and think--such claims make a mockery of their religion.

Sigh....does anyone ever actually read and answer the question asked? I guess that is too much to ask.

Answer 1

Yep, alot of people claim to be Christians but people that are true Christians would never have done such things as the founding fathers. Going to church or whatever they did in their time didn't make them Christians. A true Christian has accepted Christ into their heart and tries there best to do what's right even though we're not perfect either. At least we're sorry when we do wrong.

Answer 2

Founding Fathers said "All men are created equal" so they all did not agree on slavery. They didn't know they were oppressing; they called it protecting women. Raping any woman has never been okay. Killing the Native American Indians was never okay. Men since the crucifixion of Christ on the Cross of Calvary have said they were Christian and they were not. It takes more than belonging to a church for social standing to become a Christian than that. You must have Christ in your heart. Jesus said many will holler Lord, Lord, but Jesus will say, "I never knew you."

Most religions make a mockery of Christ. I sat in a church recently that had a crew working on Sunday to remove trees just because it would cost them more if they made them wait until Monday. Money rules these churches now days and the people inside are the Luke Warm Church and Jesus said He would vomit them out of His mouth.

The Lord tells us it is a broad road to hell and a very narrow road to heaven and few find it. Matthew 7:13,14 "enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

And verse 15. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit."

Answer 3

I understand your point, but you have a few misconceptions about our founding fathers, at least those individuals that are most commonly considered our founding fathers (Franklin, Jefferson, Washington...).

Our founding fathers were not typical of the broader population in which they lived.

They were generally not Christian (more Deist, if anything), and certainly not Christian in the Catholic or Evangelical sense that dominates American Christianity today.

They had little to do with destruction of the Indian people. Slave rape is not documented or consistant with their known behavior (Jefferson is considered to have had a long-term, mutually agreeable relationship with one of his slaves).

Our nation was not found on Christian principles; those few of the 10 commandments that have made it into our law have also made it into every non-Christian nation; you can't give Christianity credit for inventing "do not murder," "do not steal," etc.

Your larger point, that religious beliefs, throughout history, have had little correlation a society's demonstration of common decency, is a very valid one.

Answer 4

I think it is evidence enough that John Adams (2nd President of these United States) and his ENTIRE Congress were wrong, and that today's Tea Party folks & nefarious Republicans are correct when they say America is a "Christian Nation".....after all, who is more likely to be right? Adams, just because he was there? Or Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh et al?

Answer 5

You opened a Pandora's box and about 25 people will give answers to something they have never studied. Everyone is interpreting history before they even know the historical facts. So prepare for tons of inaccurate answers.

Answer 6

Not everyone does. Many people don't follow any specific religion. There are many denominations who have come up with their own religions and rituals. There are many Christians who follow the Bible's teachings.

We have free will to follow or not to follow.

Answer 7

SHOOT!!! You are right, Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, and Owen were all terrible people. How could we all miss that!

Not all of our Forefathers were bad people. Just like you wouldn't say that all pastors now are bad people. Yeah there has always been problems and there will always be problems. We can't throw it out because of a couple of bad apples.

Answer 8

very good question. some people cling to things that their mom or dad believed. just because its a family thing. when its a simple thing of opening our hearts and minds and having a different point of view. and i dont feel its wrong or a sin to question religion or even god. thats how we learn and grow.

Answer 9

The christianity of the founding fathers is a lie that is repeated by christians constantly. They actually were deists.

http://skeptically.org/thinkersonreligion/id9.html
http://nobeliefs.com/Tripoli.htm

Answer 10

Just bc Christians may have done those things doesn't mean Christianity supports it. Christ wants us to love everyone, and that means not doing those things.