Do you really think this country (USA) was not founded with God?

Question

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter,probably couldn't care less. Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. I do.


But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America. Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, , possibly mean? Very simply "Praise be to God!"

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ..."One Nation, Under God." I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it?

Answer 1

Excellent point Jaan! Wil not be forgeting this one. Sorry to see so many "slam" your question with their limited understanding of "seperation of church and state", especially since there is a good chance they lack a JpD(jurisprudance doctoracte).

Ok...only regret is in answering this is I am currently in Africa and away from my personal library, otherwise, I'd back you up with quite a few references.

What I can ask our so knowledgeable experts here is to see if they care to cite any part of the Mayflower Compace (since some want to cite the Treaty of Tripoli), also, would ask of the founding fathers (which did by the way, include MORE than just the 3rd President of the United States -T.Jefferson), how many had attended religious institutions of higher learning, how many were elders/leaders of their churches, in fact, did anyone know that some signatory parties were in fact preachers, and can they cite one state of the thirteen that did not include a religious "Christian" affirmation of faith as part of the the legislative oath.

See... there's quite a bit of secular historical studies into the biographical histories of the founders as well as the political systems of each founding state, that strongly support the belief the nation was founded as a Christian nation. There's also a good reason many of these historical studies will not be found in a high school education curriculum.

Answer 2

I think you are confusing a couple of important points:

First, our country was founded with the idea that slavery should be a legally protected right. Do you believe this should still be the "law of the land" just because it was over 200 years ago? Or because our founding fathers fought over the idea and the "pro-slavery" crowd won? Of course not.

Of the people, by the people, for the people...as we change our laws and our government change.


Secondly, correlation and causation are not the same thing. Imagine for a moment that every single person then and now believes that the God is the reason for our nations existance, not just its founding. Now take another moment and imagine that God doesn't exist.

Both of those things could be true at the same time. They could also be false at the same time. The fact that belief exists at the same time does not prove it was the cause of that thing.

Answer 3

The nation was founded upon seperating religion from state but religion was deeply rooted back then that many stuff as today is still influenced by religion, the pledge was made when the majority of Americans were Christian so there wasnt a dispute about under god because of that
So it was founded with the idea that any one religion wouldnt be the national religion, therefore religious freedom, and as the country grew the more diverse it became the less one religion influenced and the more religion was put out of the government

Answer 4

It's quite a leap to say the biases of one structure's designer form the entire basis for a country's founding (almost a century EARLIER I might add)

Since Christians are hell-bent on converting everyone, NATURALLY they will see their dogma behind any and every thing on this planet.

So the Knights of Columbus convinced the Eisenhower era lawmakers to put god on the money, and the Bible Society managed to get a bible tossed into a cornerstone? That proves we have lobbyists, congratulations!

Btw ... I don't see God's (or even Matthew/Luke/etal) signature on the Constitution

Answer 5

I would agree with you that many of the colonists were Christian and of course many came here for religious freedom, but there were Deists who believed in God but not Christ (if I have that right). And, while I truly believe that God had a hand in the history of the US, I believe that he also influences other countries, not just the US. In my opinion, since I am Christian, it would be nice if the US were a Christian country, but it would not be fair to all those who want to be here who are not Christian. They have every right to be here too, as much as we Christians do. In fact, I suppose someone could argue that only Native Americans have a "right" to be here. That's a different discussion, however.

No. If you think America is Christian then you are wrong. That's what seperation of church and state is about. No official religion.

Answer 6

This is the first country in the world to be founded on a secular government. The founding fathers were so insistant on this that they made it the 1st Amendment to the Constitution of our country. Separation of Church and State. Even the Treaty of Tripoli, ratified by our founding fathers, clearly states that the United States is NOT founded as a Christian country.

The founding fathers came to America to escape religious persecution in Europe. Learn from your history and don't make the same mistakes.

Answer 7

WHY do you people think the USofA started on these random dates that are never even close to the right one? I'll give you a hint....it was before 1776.

It's like saying.." Many Americans can't find the United States on a map because many Americans don't have maps." WAKE UP!!

Answer 8

This country was founded with a God in mind, but much less so with Christianity/Jesus.

Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Adams, and Monroe definitely weren't Christians.

Washington may or may not have been a Christian (he went to Church with his wife, but left to avoid taking communion).

It praises God, yes, but you have no reason to believe that particular God is your God, it could just as well be Allah or Brahman.

Answer 9

Err...most of them believed in a creator, just not your God. A great example is Thomas Jefferson. He rewrote the New Testament to make it fit what he thought was reasonable. Here it is: http://www.angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/

Another great example is Ben Franklin. He was an active member of something called the Hellfire Club that regularly sponsored semi Satanic ceremonies and orgies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfire_Club

I just love how you want to take our anything but pious founders and try to make them into puritanical pilgrims. These were a bunch of brilliant drunks who met in pubs and planned the violent overthrow of their government. They were not your standard everyday sheep that religions draw.

Answer 10

1000's of folk with many diverse viewpoints based this u . s . a ., nonetheless many of the founding fathers have been ostensibly Protestant Christian. in spite of the undeniable fact that, a number of them secretly held greater radical perspectives. to illustrate, Thomas Jefferson as quickly as pronounced "question with boldness even the life of a God; because of the fact, if there be one, he ought to greater approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded worry."