Was America Established as a Christian Nation?

Is America a Christian Nation?

There has been much debate in recent years regarding the Christian commitment of our Founding Fathers, as well as whether or not they intended to establish a “Christian nation.”
Was America Established as a Christian Nation?

The term “Founding Fathers” is often used to refer to a broad group of people who were involved in helping to win independence for the U.S. (or contributing in some way to establishing the new country). However, a more narrow definition of the term refers to specific people who had the most direct and significant influence in shaping the nation — the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In regard to the Christian commitment of these men, the data is available at www.adherents.com.

Of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a full 52 of the 56 delegates were affiliated with denominations that held to the main tenets of the Christian faith (this at a time when church membership required a sworn confession of biblical faith) — the exceptions being the Deists (Jefferson and Franklin) and the Unitarians (Adams and Paine). But even the “exceptions” show through their writing and speeches that they were profoundly influenced by Christianity.

There is simply no doubt that the Founding Fathers were predominantly Christian in their faith and that all of them, arguably, were guided by Christian thought. But, did they seek to establish a “Christian nation”? In a strict sense, the answer is “no.” Our founders ensured that no single religion would ever hold a special legal status in the U.S. However, they took care to establish a system in which Christianity could flourish and be a guiding moral light, not because it was forced on people but because it shined in the lives of believers.

The Founding Fathers had a grand vision of a nation whose people freely honored God. Sam Adams, known as the Father of the Revolution, said the following words on signing the Declaration of Independence: “We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient.”

Learn more about the people and events that shaped our country on our July 4th History page.

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