American Christians: Which one of the Founding Fathers do you like best?

Question

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... Each of those churches accuse the other of unbelief; and for my own part, I disbelieve them all."- T. Paine

"Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth." - T. Jefferson

"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution" -J. Madison

“Where do we find a precept in the Bible for Creeds, Confessions, Doctrines and Oaths, and whole carloads of trumpery that we find religion encumbered with in these days?” - J. Adams

“...Some books against Deism fell into my hands....It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quote to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations, in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.” - B. Franklin

a little history lesson, folk: Abraham Lincoln wasn't even born until after the Revolution. He was president during a different conflict. You might want to Google "American Civil War"

“Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man” - T. Jefferson

“We discover (in the gospels) a groundwork of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstition, fanaticism and fabrication” - T. Jefferson

Answer 1

I revere the US Founding Fathers greatly and I would love to know the context from which the above were taken. However, as you series of quotes reveals, Jefferson was the most outspoken and I am PARTICULARLY fond of referencing his letter dated September 23, 1800 to Dr. Benjamin Rush from which the quote which is engraved in stone around the circumference of the rotunda in his memorial in the Nation's Capital:

I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY AGAINST EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN

The make-believe Christians in the government are even more dangerous today than they were then.

Abe Lincoln was an extraordinary individual who led the US through its most difficult and tragic period of Civil War but a Founding Father he was not. When I think Founding Fathers, I think;

Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
John Adams
Alexander Hamilton
George Mason
John Jay

Answer 2

Alexander Hamilton.

He was an immigrant to the British territories in America and, unlike Washington or Jefferson, was not born rich. He was against slavery and his economic system made New York City the cultural icon it is today. He pretty much led the country during most of Washington's presidency and kept the United States out of officialy taking sides during the French Revolution while Jefferson and his supporters wanted to aid the radical, Jacobin French. He also had the first sex scandal.

I didn't know Abraham Lincoln was a founding father.

Answer 3

I kind of like some of these. I did not look yours up, so can't say if they're real quotes or not.

Thomas Jefferson: "The reason that
Christianity is the best friend of government
is because Christianity is the only religion
that changes the heart."

George Washington: "... whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor..."

John Jay was the first Chief Justice of he Supreme Court. He said, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. And it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

I could go on all day with these, but I won't because you have an agenda and this does not further it.

Answer 4

of course many historians put a lot of weight behind Thomas Jefferson as most important founding father, mainly because of his views on christanity. but Pres. Jefferson was just one of many whose ideas and beliefs went into the founding of this country. over the past year have come to discover how important John Adams was to this country. also agree with CMW that you are pitching your own agenda. here is some insightful quotes of John Adams.
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798


The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
–John Adams in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress

Answer 5

George Washington & Abraham Lincoln

Answer 6

George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
see politics

Answer 7

Francis Makemie.
Presbyterians remember that a Church without a confession is like a city without a wall.
Im a Filipino so I dont know much about America.
I only know that, they are the one who liberated our country from Spanish Bondage and Japanese Cruelty.

Answer 8

i would have to seet he original context to see if these quotes are really true, or representative of the man's thoughts. People claim all sorts of stuff or blindly copy form some dubious source.

if they were really anti-christian, they would have not incorporated so much christian philosphy into the consitution and laws and social structure.

Answer 9

without a doubt or even a second thought...

Abraham Lincoln