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by Rob Dunfey
“It is [our] duty,…to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” – John Jay
Many of America’s first immigrants left their native lands in pursuit of religious freedom. However, did these immigrants want a nation void of God in schools, public life, and government?
To answer the origins of America’s religious foundation, it’s best to look at the United States’ founding fathers.
John Jay might be known as the “Founder of America. He was a co-author of the Federalist Papers. These papers set the guidelines for America.
Jay became an outspoken proponent for the Constitution. He said, “It is the duty…of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
The founders, like Jay, understood the freedom granted by Christian values. They felt true Christian values were not maintained in their native countries.
Settlers knew the likeliness of a corrupt government when religion was under political control.
After all, they had recalled the horrid motivations of Henry VIII, when he took control of the church to be able to divorce his wife. Because of this, separation of church and state was a cornerstone of the Constitution.
The principle was “freedom of religion,” not “from religion.” The founders knew the dangers of silencing religion. In fact, pilgrims came to America for that reason.
Unlike Great Britain, Ireland, and Germany, the crafters of the constitution never declared Christianity the official religion of United States.
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USA posessed no official religion, although it was clearly crafted by Christians.
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If you look for signs in Washington DC, they are not hard to find.
1. Moses’ ten commandments reside on the exterior of the Supreme Court in DC.
2. Not just there, in the National Library, stands a giant sculpture of Moses holding the ten commandments.
3. In the same building, verses from the books of Psalms and Micah are engraved.
4. Across the street, the National Mall lies in the shape of a Christian cross.
5. At one end, the Washington Monument contains over 200 Bible verses.
6. At the very top tip of the monument, the highest point in our nation’s capital, it reads, “Praise be to God.”
7. The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia displays a scripture about liberty from Leviticus.
The city on the Potomac is full of Biblical references. At the Jefferson Memorial, Jefferson is quoted as, “God who gave us life. Gave us liberty.” Across the river at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it reads in bold letters, “The Tomb Unknown but to God.”
Washington D.C.
While this post could be lengthier, highlighting every detail of God in government, let’s only highlight the most significant ties to Christianity.
Our Founders were All Christian
-All 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christian at some point in their life.
How Christian is Our Constitution and State Constitions?
- All 50 states have a constitution that mentions God.
- Even our constitution’s separation of church and state concept was born out of verses from Matthew and Mark and based on the Biblical concept of “free will.”
- Our constitution is the longest surviving constitution in the world.
- Our three branches of government come from inspiration in the book of Isaiah.
Our Legislature
It’s not just our currency that mentions God. Every time Congress passes a law, it does so under a large sign that reads, “In God We Trust.”
Despite many claims that the US is not a Christian country, history points at the opposite. America was clearly set up based on the Bible.
Our founders, our government, and our values all point to Christianity. The Christian God has always been the inspiration for America’s creation.
So the next time a friend is complaining about a cross on a hill, remind them of the above ties to Christianity. They will soon realize they have a lot more to complain about!
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