June 2015
Over the course of the next two weeks, this series is intended to
enable the audience to answer these three questions
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
Note: We will be presenting documented facts, documents, and quotes. We will leave it
to the group to draw their own conclusions on these three questions
Our Foundation
16th Century England
The Monarchy controlled religious
“freedom” by prescribing the
Church of England was the rule of
law.
As Monarchs came and
went, the Church of England
moved towards & away from the
Roman Catholic Church.
English law prohibited so called “Dissenters” or “NonConformers” from worshipping in a venue other than the
Church of England, and these dissidents were persecuted to
varying degrees depending upon the proclivities of the
reigning monarch and local authorities.1
1 American Heritage, Hillsdale College Press, p.3
The Pilgrims come to America
An economic malaise hit the
country and their was little
opportunity for all areas of the
economic system. Food was in
short supply creating rampant
unemployment and desperation.
Combined with forced religion, the
situation for Christians was
becoming dire.
Groups that wanted to leave this land of persecution
included: Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics.
Mayflower Compact
Nov 11, 1620
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are
underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign
Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain,
France, and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and
advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King
and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the
Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly
and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another,
covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body
politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and
furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws,
ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to
time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for
the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all
due submission and obedience.
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our
names at Cape Cod the 11th of November, in the year of
the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England,
France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the
fifty-fourth, 1620
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
John Winthrop (1588 – 1649), the first governor of Massachusetts wrote “A
Model of Christian Charity” in 1630 as he led 1,100 Puritans to settle around
present-day Boston. (10 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock)
“A Model of Christian Charity”
God Almighty in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the
condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high
and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.
The Reason hereof:
First to hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth
the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the
glory of His power in ordering all these differences for the preservation and
good of the whole, and the glory of His greatness, that as it is the glory of
princes to have many officers, so this great king will have many stewards,
counting himself more honored in dispensing his gifts to man by man, than if he
did it by his own immediate hands.
“A Model of Christian Charity”
Secondly, that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of his
Spirit: first upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich
and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up
against and shake off their yoke. Secondly, in the regenerate, in exercising His
graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance
etc., and in the poor and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience etc.
Thirdly, that every man might have need of others, and from hence they might
be all knit more nearly together in the bonds of brotherly affection. From hence
it appears plainly that no man is made more honorable than another or more
wealthy etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the
glory of his Creator and the common good of the creature, man. Therefore God
still reserves the property of these gifts to Himself as Ezek. 16:17, He there
calls wealth, His gold and His silver, and Prov. 3:9, He claims their service as
His due, "Honor the Lord with thy riches," etc. --- All men being thus (by divine
providence) ranked into two sorts, rich and poor; under the first are
comprehended all such as are able to live comfortably by their own means duly
improved; and all others are poor according to the former distribution.
References the Holy Bible 37 more times:
Colony / State Constitutions
Massachusetts wasn’t the only colony to have it’s foundation and early leaders seeking
and influenced by God (Yahweh)
Maryland: That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he
thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, are
equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty
Delaware: ART. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or
appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the
execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously
scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit:
" I, A B. will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, submit to its constitution and
laws, and do no act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be prejudiced."
And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit:
" I, A B. do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in
the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy
scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration." And all
officers shall also take an oath of office.
Pennsylvania: And each member, before he takes his seat, shall make and
subscribe the following declaration, viz: I do believe in one God, the creator and
governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked.
And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by
Divine inspiration. And no further or other religious test shall ever hereafter be
required of any civil officer or magistrate in this State.
North Carolina: XXXII. That no person, who shall deny the being of God or the truth
of the Protestant religion, or the divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments,
or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the
State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil
department within this State.
Virginia: SEC. 16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the
manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by
force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of
religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all
to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.
Connecticut: THE 4th day of the 4th month, called June, 1639, all the free planters
assembled together in a general meeting, to consult about settling civil government,
according to GOD, and the nomination of persons that might be found, by consent of
all, fittest in all respects for the foundation work of a church, which was intended to be
gathered in Quinipiack. After solemn invocation of the name of GOD, in prayer for the
presence and help of his spirit and grace, in those weighty businesses, they were
reminded of the business where about they met, (viz.) for the establishment of such
civil order as might be most pleasing unto GOD, and for the choosing the fittest men
for the foundation work of a church to be gathered. For the better enabling them to
discern the mind of GOD, and to agree accordingly concerning the establishment of
civil order,
Query III. THOSE who have desired to be received as free planters, and are settled
in the plantation, with a purpose, resolution and desire, that they may be admitted
into church fellowship, according to CHRIST, as soon as GOD shall fit them
"hereunto, were desired to express it by holding up hands
That magistrates should be men fearing GOD. 2. That the church is the company
where, ordinarily, such men may be expected. 3. That they that choose them ought to
be men fearing GOD
New Jersey: AXVIII. That no person shall ever, within this Colony, be deprived of the
inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner, agreeable to the dictates
of his own conscience; nor, under any presence whatever, be compelled to attend any
place of worship, contrary to his own faith and judgment; nor shall any person, within this
Colony …
XIX. That there shall be no establishment of any one religious sect in this Province, in
preference to another; and that no Protestant inhabitant of this Colony shall be denied
the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles; but that all
persons, professing a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect. who shall demean
themselves peaceably under the government, as hereby established, shall be capable of
being elected into any office of profit or trust, or being a member of either branch of the
Legislature, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity, enjoyed by
others their fellow subjects.
Other Examples
THE STATE OF NEW YORK
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
THE STATE OF GEORGIA
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
THE STATE OF OHIO
THE STATE OF VERMONT
THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
THE STATE OF KENTUCKY
THE STATE OF INDIANA
THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS
Last but certainly not least
Nebraska 1875
All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own
consciences … it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass
suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the
peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and to
encourage schools and the means of instruction.
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
What is the distinction between religion and denomination to the Founding Fathers?
To what degree did the Founding Fathers mean the Christian Faith when referring to
religion?
Our Educational Heritage
Blackstone’s Commentary on the Law
Blackstone had a tremendous impact on the American
colonies. Future lawyers were trained under the tutelage
of this textbook. People had access to these volumes and
could grasp the importance and the outworking of
common law as it had developed over the centuries. The
fact that God is ultimately the source of just law and that
all men are under law was ingrained into their thinking.
Charles Finney is known as being a great preacher and evangelist but before he
was in ministry he was an attorney. In studying the law and in studying Blackstone’s
commentary, Finney saw so many Scripture references that he bought a Bible. That
began Finney’s process of studying Scripture. In studying Blackstone, he read so
much of the Bible that he became a Christian and received his call to the ministry
and became the great preacher, evangelist & leader of America’s Second Great
Awakening of the 1800s.
New England Primer
The New England Primer was the first textbook published in the 13
colonies, and it was the most prevalent primer in the 18th century, and
was still influential into the 19th century.
An Alphabet of Lessons for Youth
A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
B etter is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure & trouble therewith.
C ome unto Christ all ye that labor and are heavy laden and he will give you rest.
D o not the abominable thing which I hate saith the Lord.
E xcept a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
F oolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
G odliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to
come.
H OLINESS becomes GOD's house forever.
I t is good for me to draw near unto GOD.
K eep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
L iars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
M any are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivereth them out of them all.
N ow is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.
O ut of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
P ray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly.
Q uit you like men, be strong, stand fast in the faith.
R emember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.
S eest thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool than of him.
T rust in God at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him.
U pon the wicked, God shall rain an horrible tempest.
W o to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
EXhort one another daily while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened thro' the deceitfulness of
sin.
Y oung men ye have overcome the wicked one.
Z eal hath consumed me, because thy enemies have forgotten the word of God.
New England Primer
Q. 5. Are there more Gods then one ?
A. There is but ONE only, the living and true GOD.
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate where into man fell ?
A. The sinfulness of that estate where into man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's
first sin, the want of original righteousness, & the corruption of his whole nature,
which is commonly called original sin, together with all actual transgressions
which proceed from it.
Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the
eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be God and man, in
two distinct natures, and one person forever.
Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death ?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately
pass into glory, and their bodies being still united to Christ do rest in their graves 'till the
resurrection.
Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection ?
A. At the resurrection believers being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and
acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to
all eternity.
New England Primer
Q. 45. Which is the first commandment ?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment ?
A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God, to be the
only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment ?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and
glorifying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving that worship and glory
to any other which is due to him alone.
Q. 48. What are we especially taught by these words (before me) in the first
commandment ?
A. These words (before me) in the first commandment, teach us, that God who
seeth all things, taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any
other God.
Harvard, Yale, and Princeton
Harvard 1646 “Rules and Precepts adopted in 1646 included the following essentials:
“Every one shall consider the main end of his life and studies to know God and Jesus Christ
which is eternal life. Seeing the Lord giveth wisdom, every one shall seriously by prayer in
secret seek wisdom of Him. Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures
twice a day that they be ready to give an account of their proficiency therein, both in
theoretical observations of languages and logic, and in practical and spiritual truths
Yale 1701: By the turn of the century Christians in the Connecticut region launched Yale as
an alternative to Harvard. Many thought Harvard too far away and too expensive,
Princeton 1746: Sprang up in part from the impact of the First Great Awakening. It also
retained its evangelical vigor longer than any other Ivy League school. Princeton’s crest still
says “Dei sub numine viget,” Latin for “Under God she flourishes.”
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
Our Founding Fathers
Signing the Declaration of Independence … Drafted by Thomas Jefferson on July 4th,
1776 signed by 56 delegates on August 2nd , 1776
Leviticus 20:10
Our Founding Fathers … Constitutional Convention 1787
The 55 delegates who participated in the Constitutional
Convention of 1787 are regarded as the Founding Fathers
because it is this group that actually debated, drafted and
signed the U.S. Constitution.
What influenced them to create a
government unlike any other in the world
at that time?
Let’s see what they had to say In their
own words ….
John Hancock
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and
the First Governor of Massachusetts
"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social
duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a
proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend
those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to
take from us."
-- History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.
Patrick Henry
Ratifier of the US Constitution
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be
purchased at the price of chains and
slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know
not what course others may take; but as
for me, give me liberty or give me
death!”
--March 23, 1775
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation
was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on
the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths
have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."
--The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii.
"The Bible ... is a book worth more than all the other books that were
ever printed."
--Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry, p. 402.
John Witherspoon
Signer of the Declaration of Independence,
Clergyman and President of Princeton University
"While we give praise to God, the Supreme Disposer
of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us
guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or
boasting of, an arm of flesh ... If your cause is just, if
your principles are pure, and if your conduct is
prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing
hosts.
What follows from this? That He is the best friend to
American liberty, who is most sincere and active in
promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets
himself with the greatest firmness to bear down
profanity and immorality of every kind.”
"Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not
to call him an enemy of his country."
--Sermon at Princeton University, "The Dominion of Providence over the Passions
of Men," May 17, 1776.
Alexander Hamilton
Signer of the Declaration of
Independence and Ratifier of the U.S.
Constitution
"I have carefully examined the
evidences of the Christian religion, and
if I was sitting as a juror upon its
authenticity I would unhesitatingly give
my verdict in its favor. I can prove its
truth as clearly as any proposition ever
submitted to the mind of man."
--Famous American Statesmen, p. 126.
Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and United
States Constitution
"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of
the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence.
That He ought to be worshipped.”
"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I
think the system of morals and his religion, as He left them to us, is the
best the world ever saw, or is likely to see.”
“…that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his
government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure."
--Benjamin Franklin wrote this in a letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale University on March 9, 1790.
“Introduce into public affairs the principles of Christianity and it will
change the face of the world.”
--Benjamin Franklin, 1774
John Jay
First Chief Justice and the most
influential writer of the constitution:
“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.
We need to elect Christians to office if
we want to have righteous men
making good laws to rule our country.”
"In forming and settling my belief
relative to the doctrines of Christianity,
I adopted no articles from creeds but
such only as, on careful examination, I
found to be confirmed by the Bible."
--American Statesman Series, p. 360.
John Jay
President of the American Bible Society
"By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them
a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was
originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming
disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his
posterity have since experienced.”
"The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for
us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that
this Redeemer has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and
thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a
way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits
are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power
to deserve."
--In God We Trust—The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers, p. 379.
"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and
soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of
religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our
highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."
--The Writings of Washington, pp. 342-343.
George Washington
Farewell Address 1796
“Of all the 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. The mere politician, equally with the pious
man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A
volume could not trace all their connections with
private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked:
Where is the security for property, for
reputation, for life, in the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths
which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us
with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without
religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education
on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to
expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
John Adams
2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of
Independence
"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the
Bible for their only law Book, and every member should
regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited!
Every member would be obliged in conscience, to
temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness,
and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and
reverence toward Almighty God ... What a utopia, what a
Paradise would this region be."
--Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9.
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the
history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding
generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated,
as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It
ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports,
guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the
other, from this time forward forever."
--Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.
Thomas Jefferson
3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the
Declaration of Independence
"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And
can the liberties of a nation be thought secure
when we have removed their only firm basis,
a conviction in the minds of the people that
these liberties are of the Gift of God? That
they are not to be violated but with His wrath?
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I
reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot
sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel
of fortune, a change of situation, is among
possible events; that it may become probable
by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has
no attribute which can take side with us in
that event."
--Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237.
James Madison
4th President of the United States
"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ."
--America's Providential History by Stephen K. McDowell, p. 93.
John Quincy Adams
6th President of the United States
“The highest glory of the American Revolution was
this… it connected in one indissoluble bond the
principles of civil government with the principles of
Christianity.”
"The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence,
were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young
Gentlemen could Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by
them in their address, or by me in my answer. And what were these
general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity”
"Now I will avow, that I then believe, and now believe, that those general
Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence
and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as
unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System."
-- Excerpt from a letter to Thomas Jefferson that Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813.
Benjamin Rush, M.D.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and
Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution
"The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the
wisest rules for just conduct in every situation
of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey
them in all situations!"
--The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, pp. 165-166.
"Christianity is the only true and perfect
religion, and that in proportion as mankind
adopts its principles and obeys its precepts,
they will be wise and happy."
--Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798 called
“The Defense of the Bible as a school book”.
Benjamin Rush, M.D.
"I know there is an objection among many people to
teaching children doctrines of any kind, because
they are liable to be controverted. But let us not be
wiser than our Maker.”
"If moral precepts alone could have reformed
mankind, the mission of the Son of God into all the
world would have been unnecessary. The perfect
morality of the gospel rests upon the doctrine which,
though often controverted has never been refuted: I
mean the vicarious life and death of the Son of
God."
--Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798.
“Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when
medicine will organize an undercover dictatorship. To restrict the art of the healing
to one class of men, and deny equal privilege to others, will be to constitute the
Bastille of medical science. All such laws are un-American and despotic, and
have no place in a Republic. The Constitution of this Republic should make
special privilege for medical freedom as well as religious freedom.”
Alexis de Touqueville
French Statesman, historian and philosopher
"The Americans combine the notions of religion
and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is
impossible to make them conceive of one
without the other.”
"There is no country in the world where the
Christian religion retains a greater influence
over the souls of men than in America.”
“The sects that exist in the United States are innumerable. They all differ
in respect to the worship which is due to the Creator; but they all agree in
respect to the duties which are due from man to man. Each sect adores
the Deity in its own peculiar manner, but all sects preach the same moral
law in the name of God. Moreover, all the sects of the United States are
comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is
everywhere the same.”
Alexis de Touqueville
" I sought for the greatness and genius of
America in her commodious harbors and her
ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her
fertile fields and boundless forests and it was
not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast
world commerce - and it was not there . . . in
her democratic Congress and her matchless
Constitution - and it was not there….
…Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame
with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be
good, she will cease to be great.”
"I am a real Christian – that is to
say, a disciple of the doctrines of
Jesus Christ."
--The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, p. 385.
"I have sworn upon the altar of
God, eternal hostility against
every form of tyranny over the
mind of man.”
--Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Dr. Benjamin
Rush, 1800
The House and the Senate would discuss what the bible said and use its ideas
to make law. The idea of three branches of government originated with John
Locke in his article called Two Treaties of Government. The founding fathers
substantiated the idea for:
• separation of powers from Jeremiah 17:9:
o “The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse — who can
understand it?”
• They found mention of the three branches of government in Isaiah 33:22:
o “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler, the Lord is our king;
He will save us.”
• They found the idea of tax exemption for churches in Ezra 7:24:
o “You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes,
tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers,
temple servants or other workers at this house of God.”
• They found the idea of a Republican government in Exodus 18:21:
o “You should also look for able men among all the people, men who
fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men
over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ”
The Bible was important to our founding fathers.
Out of fifteen thousand samples of their writings that University of
Houston professors collected, they found:
• 3,154 of those had a significant impact on our constitution
• Of those writings, they found that the bible was quoted
sixteen times more than any other source
• 94% of the quotes were based on the bible
• 34% came directly out of the bible
• 60% used the bible to arrive at their conclusion
Washington Monument
• Construction began in 1848, completed in
1884 (construction hiatus during 1856-1876)
• Officially dedicated on February 21, 1885
• Open to the public on October 9, 1888
• Stands 555’, 5 1/8” tall
• Capstone includes the saying “Laus Deo”
(Latin for “Praise be to God”)
Monument to the Forefathers
• Plymouth, Massachusetts
• Construction began in 1859, completed in
1889
• Largest free-standing granite monument
in the world
• Featured in the film “Monumental”
The monument features five figures
representing:
1. Faith (top) – holding the Holy Bible
2. Morality – holding the Ten
Commandments and the scrolls of
Revelation
3. Law
4. Education
5. Liberty
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
The truth about the phrase
“Separation of Church and State”
1796 – Funckle vs. Winemiller - The Danbury
Baptists Association of Connecticut did not want a
state church The courts stated: “In our form of
government the Christian religion is the established
religion and all sects and denominations of
Christians are placed upon the same equal footing.”
Notice who sent the letter (Danbury Baptists) and
the subject (state church or denomination)
The Truth about the Separation of Church and State
Where it came from … Note it is not in the constitution
In 1801 the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson because
they had heard a rumor that the Congregationalist denomination was going to be made the national
denomination. On January 1, 1802, Jefferson wrote back that there was no basis for their fear. In
his letter he wrote:
“Gentlemen,
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and 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 and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as
they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and 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, & 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 & State. 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 & blessing of the common father and creator of
man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect &
esteem.”
The Truth about the Separation of Church and State
Thomas Jefferson addressed those Danbury Baptist. He said that the first amendment has erected
a wall between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall. It keeps the government
from running the church and Christian principles will always stay in government. The First National
Church never happened and Jefferson’s writing was put away until 1853. Today, we only hear half
of this statement, that is: the separation of church and state.
When asked to comment on the role of Christianity in US government, the House Judiciary
committee wrote this on March 27th 1854 Note: This is 52 years after Thomas Jefferson’s letter
“If the people, during the Revolution, or had they any suspicion of any attempt to war
against Christianity that revolution would have been strangled in its cradle. At the time
of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments the universal sentiment was
that Christianity should be encouraged, just not by any one sect. The Founders of the
Constitution were Christians and they expected it would be so for their descendents.
They stated, ”The great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of
our people in the pure doctrine and divine truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Nations are accountable to God. The founding fathers said, “As nations cannot be
rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be punished in this. By an
inevitable chain of cause and effect, providence punishes national sins by national
calamities.” When a nation leaves God, God deals with them immediately. Hence,
moral decay brings violent crimes, teen pregnancies, divorce, abortions, and etc.
When wicked men rule, the nation suffers” - House Judiciary committee March 27,
1854
The 1st Amendment and it’s History
The 1st amendment of the constitution of the United States reads. “Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.”
When reading through the Congressional record of June 7 – September 25, 1789 you will see that
the intent of the 1st amendment was to avoid what they experienced in Great Britain. The word
religion is best defined as a denomination. Our founding fathers wanted to restrict the
government from establishing a national religion (denomination).
Revision 1: September 3, 1789 “Congress shall not make any law establishing any religious
denomination
Revision 2: “Congress shall make no law establishing and particular denomination
Revision 3: “Congress shall make no law establishing any particular denomination in preference
to others
Revision 4: Today’s version - It is clear that the founding fathers used denomination and religion
interchangeably
Fisher Ames was the author of the final revision. When asked to comment on the importance of
the bible in the class room he wrote in January 1801, “Why then, if these books for children must
be retained, as they will be, should not the bible regain the place it once held as a school book. its
morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble, the bible will justly remain the standard of
language as well as faith.”
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
The Turning Point
There is nothing so absurd but that if you repeat it
often enough, people will believe it.
This statement precisely describes the tactic utilized by the Court in the
years following its 1947 announcement. The Court regularly began to speak
of a “separation of church and state,” broadly explaining, “This is what the
Founders wanted—separation of church and state. This is their great
intent.” The Court failed to quote the Founders; they just generically
asserted that this is what the Founders wanted.
The Court continued on this track so steadily that in 1958, in a case called Bael
v. Kolmorgen, one of the judges was tired of hearing the “separation of church
and state” phrase. He wrote a dissent warning that if this court did not stop
talking about the “separation of church and state,” people were going to start
thinking that it was part of the Constitution.
Nevertheless, the Court continued talking about “separation” until June 25,
1962, when in the case of Engel v. Vitale, the Court delivered its first ever
ruling which completely separated Christian principles from education. The
Court struck down school prayer. Even the World Book Encyclopedia, 1963
Yearbook, noted that this case had been the first time that there had been a
“separation of church and state” in education.
In the 1962 case, the Court redefined the meaning and the application of a
single word: “church.” For 170 years prior to that case, the Court had defined
“church,” as used in the phrase “separation of church and state,” as being a
federally established denomination. However, in 1962, the Court explained
that the word “church” now would mean any religious activity performed in
public. This was a turning point in the interpretation of the First Amendment.
The Supreme Court Prior to 1947
The Way Things Used to Be
1811 – People vs. Ruggles: In this case a man became profane
about Jesus Christ and the bible both written and spoken. The
courts said it was blasphemy and the man was fined $500.00 and
jailed for 3 months. The court said if you’ve attacked Jesus Christ
you have attacked Christianity. If you attack Christianity, you
have attacked the foundation of the US. Therefore, it is an attack
on the US.
The Court wrote: “Whatever strikes at the root of Christianity
tends manifestly to the dissolution of civil government.”
1844 – Vidal vs. Girard: A Philadelphia school’s premise was that they could
teach morality with out teaching the bible. The court ruled that they couldn’t
have a school that didn’t teach the bible’s morality, as it was the source of
morality. “The purest principles of morality are to be taught. Where are they
found? Whosoever searches for them must go to the source for which the
Christian man derives his faith… the bible.”
1892 - Trinity vs. the US: The Supreme Court stated, ”Our laws and our
institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the
Redeemer of mankind. It’s impossible that it should be otherwise; and to this
extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.”
This case gave 87 historical precedences to prove this statement. It further
stated that there were more, but 87 should suffice to prove the government
must be based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In 1854 the House was asked to review if the foundation of
our country was actually Christian. The findings of the House
Judiciary committee were announced March 27, 1854.
• They said that “if the people, during the Revolution, or had
they any suspicion of any attempt to war against
Christianity that revolution would have been strangled in its
cradle”
• They stated, ”The great vital and conservative element in
our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrine
and divine truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
In the 1878 Supreme Courts case of Reynolds vs. the United
States, the Supreme Court. The court summarized
Jefferson’s letter in these words
“Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere
religious opinions, but was left free to reach only those
religious actions which were in violation of social duties or
subversive to good order. The rightful purpose of civil
government is “for officers to interfere with religion only when
religious principles break out in overt acts against peace and
good order. In this is found the true distinction between what
properly belongs to the church and what to the state”
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?
The Supreme Court After 1947
The Way Things Are
1947 - Everson vs. the Board of Education – Only nineteen words of
Jefferson’s speech were used, those being, “The First Amendment has
erected a wall between church and state.” That wall must be kept high and
impregnable.” It was because these words were taken out of context that
the Founding father’s intent was reversed.
1962 Engle vs. Vitale: Removal of prayer from school.
This was the first time there was a separation of religious principles from
public education. The courts rules that there should not be prayers in
school. It was the first time we had a separation of church and state. It was
the first time that NO precedence (where previous legal cases were cited) or
historical incidents were quoted.
1963 Murray vs. Curlett: Removed bible reading in school.
1963 - Abington vs. Schempp: Removal of religious
instruction from school. The court stated, “If portions of the New
Testament were read without explanation, they could be, and
have been, psychologically harmful to the child.”
1965 - Reid vs. Van Hovan: It is unconstitutional for a student
to pray aloud in school.
1967- Dekalb vs. Despain: It is unconstitutional for a student
to pray aloud in school. The courts said, “The rhyme is
unconstitutional since it might cause someone to think of God.”
1980 - Stone vs. Graham: Removal of 10 commandments from
schools.
1989 - Gierke v. Blotzer: In Omaha, Nebraska, a student was
prohibited from reading his Bible silently during his free time, or
even to open his Bible at school.
1990 - Roberts v. Madigan: It is unconstitutional for a classroom
library to contain books that deal with Christianity, or for a teacher
to be seen with a personal copy of the Bible at school.
1965 - Reed v. Van Hoven: If a student prays over his lunch, it is
unconstitutional for him to pray out loud.
June 23, 2012
This case is whether Narrows High School, a public school in
Giles County, Virginia, may post the Ten Commandments in a
school, purportedly as a historical document. The American Civil
Liberties Union sued the Giles County School Board to have the
display removed as an unconstitutional government
endorsement of religion.
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Urbanski recently ordered the
case into mediation and proposed a compromise: Remove the
first four commandments, which are explicitly religious, but leave
the more secular subsequent commandments, such as "Thou
shalt not kill."
What happened from 1878 to 1947?
In the 1878 Supreme Courts case of Reynolds vs. the United
States, the Supreme Court. The court summarized
Jefferson’s letter in these words
“Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere
religious opinions, but was left free to reach only those
religious actions which were in violation of social duties or
subversive to good order. The rightful purpose of civil
government is “for officers to interfere with religion only when
religious principles break out in overt acts against peace and
good order. In this is found the true distinction between what
properly belongs to the church and what to the state”
1. To what degree were our founding father’s influenced by religious principles?
2. To what degree were these principles emphatically Christian?
3. What official document reference the separation of church and state?