Christian Nation?
The debate rages on whether or not the United States of America can be considered a Christian nation or, more importantly, was it ever a Christian nation. On one side we have those who say, our founding fathers were probably atheists or deists at best, the purpose of settlement was for economic gain, and it is plainly uneducated to even suggest that God had a hand in the affairs of this great nation. On the other side we have those who believe that our founding fathers were Christian or, at the very least, believers in a God who was active in the affairs of men and nations. They also believe that although the sponsor country sought economic gain, a large many of the settlers came here for Christian reasons. Finally, they believe very strongly that God was involved in the birth and foundation of this great nation.
Where do you fall? Unfortunately, in large part using the separation of church and state as a reason, much of the documentation regarding God, religion, and the faith of our founders has been written out of history textbooks. So you very well may not know the truth about these issues. I am here to tell you today, that the documentation is overwhelming, clear, and irrefutable, but it has been pulled out of the public eye. Let’s take a look at just a few pieces of evidence.
An exhibition found in the history section of the Library of Congress, a summary, gathered from the whole of their documents…
“Many of the British North American colonies that eventually formed the United States of America were settled in the seventeenth century by men and women, who, in the face of European persecution, refused to compromise passionately held religious convictions and fled Europe. The New England colonies, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland were conceived and established “as plantations of religion.” Some settlers who arrived in these areas came for secular motives–“to catch fish” as one New Englander put it–but the great majority left Europe to worship God in the way they believed to be correct. They enthusiastically supported the efforts of their leaders to create “a city on a hill” or a “holy experiment,” whose success would prove that God’s plan for his churches could be successfully realized in the American wilderness. Even colonies like Virginia, which were planned as commercial ventures, were led by entrepreneurs who considered themselves “militant Protestants” and who worked diligently to promote the prosperity of the church.”
Here is an excerpt from the New England Primer, used along with the Bible as textbooks in the public schools through till the early 20th century.
“A Lesson for Children.
Pray to God. Call no ill names. Love God. Use no ill words. Fear God. Tell no lies. Serve God. Hate Lies. Take not God’s Speak the Truth. Name in vain. Spend your Time well. Do not Swear. Love your School. Do not Steal. Mind your Book. Cheat not in your play. Strive to learn. Play not with bad boys. Be not a Dunce.
A In ADAM’S Fall
We sinned all.
B Heaven to find;
The Bible Mind.
C Christ crucify’d
For sinners dy’d.
D The Deluge drown’d
The Earth around.
E ELIJAH hid
By Ravens fed.
F The judgment made
FELIX afraid.
G As runs the Glass,
Our Life doth pass.
H My Book and Heart
Must never part.
J JOB feels the Rod,–
Yet blesses GOD.
K Proud Korah’s troop
Was swallowed up
L LOT fled to Zoar,
Saw fiery Shower
On Sodom pour.
M MOSES was he
Who Israel’s Host
Led thro’ the Sea
N NOAH did view
The old world & new.
O Young OBADIAS,
DAVID, JOSIAS,
All were pious.
P PETER deny’d
His Lord and cry’d.
Q Queen ESTHER sues
And saves the Jews.
R Young pious RUTH,
Left all for Truth.
S Young SAM’L dear,
The Lord did fear.
T Young TIMOTHY
Learnt sin to fly.
V VASHTI for Pride
Was set aside.
W Whales in the Sea,
GOD’s Voice obey.
X XERXES did die,
And so must I.
Y While youth do chear
Death may be near.
Z ZACCHEUS he
Did climb the Tree
Our Lord to see.
Who was the first man ? Adam.
Who was the first woman ? Eve.
Who was the first Murderer ? Cain.
Who was the first Martyr ? Abel.
Who was the first Translated ? Enoch.
Who was the oldest Man ? Methuselah.
Who built the Ark ? Noah.
Who was the Patientest Man ? Job.
Who was the Meekest Man ? Moses.
Who led Israel into Canaan ? Joshua.
Who was the strongest Man ? Sampson.
Who killed Goliah ? David.
Who was the wisest Man ? Soloman.
Who was in the Whale’s Belly? Jonah.
Who saves lost Men ? Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus Christ ? The Son of God.
Who was the Mother of Christ ? Mary.
Who betrayed his Master ? Judas.
Who denied his Master ? Peter.
Who was the first Christian Martyr? Stephen.
Who was chief Apostle of the Gentiles ? Saul.”
via The New England Primer, 1777 edition.
From the man often considered a deist, Benjamin Franklin, during the Constitutional Convention, when they had been arguing for days about the contents of our Constitution. Deists are people who believe God is like a watchmaker. He built the watch and set it ticking. From that point on, the watch ran on its own without any help from the watchmaker. So a deist believes in God, but does not believe God is involved in the affairs of nations or people.
“In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. ”Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? 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 the House they labour 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: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments be Human Wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.”
via WallBuilders – Issues and Articles – Franklin’s Appeal for Prayer at the Constitutional Convention.
After reading just three of the hundreds of historical writings which support the truth that our country was founded by Christians, what conclusions can be made? If you are not convinced let me know and I’ll be happy to provide many more such pieces of evidence. Our history is ripe with them, just not in our classroom textbooks.
Moriah's Musings 