Weaverville – Was America founded on Christianity? Was America ever considered a Christian nation? Looking back at some of the nation’s founding fathers’ quotes might help answer those questions.
The Founding Fathers of America said a lot about Christianity and the morals that it gave the masses. There is historical documentation and websites full of what they had to say on the subject. This article covers those Founding Fathers’ quotes on the matter.
Founder John Adams, the first president of the country, knew the Constitution they adopted was only meant for people who had self-control and said, “Our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” Adam also said, “We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!”
Noah Webster, “an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and author. He has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education”, says Wikipedia. He said, “Every civil government is based upon some religion or philosophy of life. Education in a nation will propagate the religion of that nation. In America, the foundational religion was Christianity. And it was sown in the hearts of Americans through the home and private and public schools for centuries. Our liberty, growth, and prosperity was the result of a Biblical philosophy of life. Our continued freedom and success is dependent on our educating the youth of America in the principles of Christianity.”
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin said, “I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel”
George Washington, the first US President and Commander of the Continental Army, said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God. 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 implore his protection and favor.”
The Founding Father and President Thomas Jefferson were quoted as saying, “The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.”
Another reaffirming quote of the country’s Christian heritage is from James Madison, who said, “The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.”
Patrick Henry, of the famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, said, “My most cherished possession I wish I could leave you, is my faith in Jesus Christ, for with Him and nothing else you can be happy, but without Him and with all else you’ll never be happy.”
President John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, said, “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.”
Founder and first secretary of the US Treasury Alexander Hamilton stated, “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.”
These quotes, and a good deal more, can be found at azquotes.com. They boast that they are making “quotes great again.”
The founders didn’t want the government to play favorites, choosing one sect of the Christian faith above another. As Jefferson said, “I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about the legal ascendency of one sect over another.”