Did you know that the first 6 U.S. presidents absolutely, 100% were not Christians?

Question

This is a fact. I'm curious how many people honestly know this. The Christian Conservative Right keeps telling people that the"founding fathers" were Christians. This is simply not true. They absolutely wanted this to be a secular society. The continuous effort of the Bush White House and Evangelical extremes to confuse patriotism with christianity would have the nation's forefathers turning in their graves. Washington wrote: "As the government of the United States is NOT IN ANY SENSE founded on the Christian religion." This Treaty was ratified by the senate in 1797 under Adams, without a SINGLE OBJECTION.

THOMAS JEFFERSON: Author of the Declaration of independence. "I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children since the introduction of Christianity have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned.

Answer 1

Note to lulu above, "God" is not necessarily equivalent to "Christ" in the Washington quote above.


Yes. It's an important point because we are constantly bombarded with the ignorant viewpoints of conservative politicians who maintain (for some agenda of their own) that the fathers were ardent Christians against all evidence to the contrary.

In addition to the quotes you referenced, following is a quote from Franklin, who was essentially a "deist" who doubted the divinity of Christ (although he lauds Christ's teachings as "the best the world ever saw") and was contempuous of organized Christianity (see the "various corrupting changes" sentence below).

To Ezra Stiles, 9 March 1790 (B 12:185-6):

"You desire to know something of my religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavor in a few words to gratify it. Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.

As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think his system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequences, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed; especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure."

Answer 2

Are you kidding me? Most Americans haven't got a clue about the history of their country (at least the true history) because the education system does not insist the truth be taught in schools. It is true that Christians in powerful positions in government in whatever country have engaged in the slaughter of millions and the slavery of millions more. It is the use of their 'Bible's' writings that justify their actions and the fear they have instilled in generations of followers that allow them to get away with these despicable actions. Now look around the world to where religions are the ruling parties. Do you want that to happen where you live? Hell, even the Italians, the most Catholic country in Europe allowed the church to have a 'city state' within it's borders to insure that Catholics through their church can have no power (at least directly) with the government of Italy. They remember what it was like when they ran the show......millions died........in Italy and in the rest of the world because of their teachings and the leaders of the Catholic Church..

Answer 3

"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
And yet he mentions God ....Religion actually has quit a bit to do with creating the frame work of this country...The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - established in 1638-39 as the first written constitution in America and considered as the direct predecessor of the U. S. Constitution - declared that the Governor and his council of six elected officials would “have power to administer justice according to the laws here established; and for want thereof according to the rule of the word of God.”
In 1610 ,the Virginia Colony, incorporated the first commandment into the very first written code of laws enacted in America. Massachusetts ,Connecticut and others followed suit.
George Washington issued numerous military orders during the American Revolution that first prohibited swearing and then ordered an attendance on Divine worship.
Art. I, Sec. 7, ¶ 2, US Constitution recognizes the Sabbath
In 1775, and throughout the American Revolution, Commander-in-Chief George Washington issued military orders directing that the Sabbath be observed.
And the list goes on and on and on......

Answer 4

UNBELIEVABLE...that is such horses**t. Did you ever read the Declaration of Independence?

Last sentence and I quote:

" And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

This document was signed by two future presidents...Adams & Jefferson.

Did you ever read any of the the bio's of any of the founding fathers...much less the first 6 presidents. Stop talking out of your ***. You people sicken me. Stop trying to kill God!!!!

Answer 5

Sources?

Answer 6

Really. Check out one of Washington's letters.

"I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation."

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/earnestprayer.html

Answer 7

Really, then why did young Tom Jefferson regularly attend a church?

You're never going to get it, will you?

READ EUROPEAN HISTORY. EVERY REGIME, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN ENGLAND HAD AN OFFICIAL NATIONAL RELIGION THAT EFFECTIVELY PERSECUTED THOSE WHO BELIEVED DIFFERENTLY. THAT'S WHAT THE FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED TO AVOID IN SPITE OF THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL FAITH.

Answer 8

Did you know your question is in error? Thus, it makes it very difficult to answer since it is not based on truth or fact. Nice try though.

Answer 9

Do you know that you have absolutely and 100 percent no chance of getting me to believe that crap.

Answer 10

Where's your proof? Washington was! Who was he praying to?

This country was built on Christian ideals. Why else would GOD be mentioned.