Current history books portray America’s Founding Fathers as a bunch
of
fanatical rebels. They are repeatedly denigrated and impugned as
insensitive, mean-spirited chauvinists who hated women and minorities.
Their spiritual nature is particularly scorned. On that rare occasion
when
faith and religion are broached, the founders are simply called
“Deists.”
Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.
The vast majority of America’s founders were active members of
organized
Christian churches. Many were greatly influenced by the great Protestant
theologian, John Calvin. Several were the sons or grandsons of
ministers.
Some were themselves ministers.
While commanding the Continental Army, George Washington proclaimed,
“It is strictly enjoined on all officers and soldiers to attend Divine
service.
And it is expected that all those who go to worship do take their arms,
ammunition and accoutrements, and are prepared for immediate action, if
called upon.”
Our second president, John Adams, said, “I had rather go to Church.
We have
better sermons, better prayers, better speakers, softer, sweeter music,
and
genteeler company.” Adams also wrote, “We took our horses to the meeting
in
the afternoon and heard the minister again upon ‘Seek first the kingdom
of
God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you.’
There is great pleasure in hearing sermons so serious, so clear, so
sensible and instructive as these.”
The writings of the Founding Fathers are replete with references to
God,
morality and the Scriptures. To deny the spiritual faith of the founders
is
to deny history. Even the worldly Franklin acknowledged the strong
Christian faith of colonial America.
In a pamphlet called, “Information to Those who would Remove to
America”
Franklin wrote, “Serious religion, under its various denominations, is
not
only tolerated, but respected and practiced.
“Atheism is unknown there; Infidelity rare and secret; so that
persons may
live to a great age in that country without having their piety shocked
by
meeting with either an Atheist or an Infidel.
“And the Divine Being seems to have manifested his approbation of the
mutual forbearance and kindness with which the different sects treat
each
other; by the remarkable prosperity with which he has been pleased to
favor
the whole country.”
The effort to de-faith America’s Founding Fathers is more than
history
revisionism. It is a positive assassination of history itself. The
religious history of the United States is deep and wide. A secular
nation void of spiritual faith
was the last thing the men who formed and framed this great republic had
in
mind.
Is America prepared and willing to fight and win a war?
Ron Boat