ENG 201
Eddie Duran
Liberty University
ENG 201
The rich history of the United States not only defied a nation but placed God at the
forefront of its legacy. Looking at the difference between our nation and others around the world,
it's easy to see why our nation has thrived years after its initial Declaration of Independence.
Placing God first within anything in the day-to-day lives, operations, or endeavors only adds to
the fruitfulness and is a blessing. Our forefathers placing God first in the establishment of this
country solidified its place amongst others around the globe, apologetically displaying it in the
early days of the colonies.
Establish in this country on the foundation of God's word, prosperity, and controversy.
Benjamin Franklin was no stranger to controversy in his own right, however, he added to the
prosperity and abilities of this country through God's blessing. Regardless of his personal views,
he was a man of great importance and played a huge role in our country's history. “Franklin
would find it highly amusing that in recent years he has been portrayed by the political and
religious Right as an orthodox Christian who helped lay the foundations of a Christian nation”
(Morgan, 2000). Benjamin Franklin may not have been an overtly religious man, however, his
scientific additions to this country's history are nonetheless blessed by God's hand.
Thomas Jefferson on the other hand believes that religious views or beliefs should be a
matter of personal preference as a post to public policy. “Jefferson and his staunchest ally, James
Madison, argued that state support for religion was a form of tyranny, and that religious belief
should be solely a matter of private conscience – not public policy.” (Virginia. General
Assembly, & Jefferson, T.,1779) separating the church from the government what is an important
aspect of duty his ideology, regardless of personal preference his fight for religious freedom and
separation of religion from the government was much needed during the time.
In section 2 of his draft of his religious freedom bill, Thomas Jefferson stated: “We the
Our Nation Under God-APA
Reference
Morgan, D. T. (2000). Benjamin Franklin: Champion of Generic Religion. The Historian, 62(4),
ENG 201
General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any
religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or
burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or
belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in
matters of religion” (Virginia. General Assembly, & Jefferson, T.,1779)
Despite publishing his book, age of reason, in 1793 and being struck with harsh criticism,
Thomas Paine believed that religious freedoms rested solely within the rights of man, despite
being frequently called an atheist. “For a man so frequently called an atheist, Paine shows
remarkable confidence in the divine order of the creation…God is an unmoved first cause, who
designs and sets the universe in motion for the benefit of man, and the moral duty of man
consists in ‘imitating the moral goodness and beneficence of God, manifested in the creation
toward all His creatures” (Philp, 2013) Thomas Paine's book, age of reason, how many criticisms
to the authority from the Bible by religious individuals, yet at some time maintained confidence
in a world that was held in order by Divine circumstance.
Regardless of the differences between the three men, it's clear to see that all agreed in
some form or fashion that divine her vision, religious freedom, and divinely ordered world all his
place within our country's foundation. Benjamin Franklin may not have expressed his religious
views or had any for that matter, but it did not distract from his contributions to this nation.
Thomas Jefferson maintained that religious freedom was solely within the private opinion of
each individual and not within government, and fight to maintain those ideals within the newly
founded government.
Separating church and state, or religious opinions from governmental control was an
important aspect of the foundation he was trying to add to. Thomas Paine challenged the status
quo in his time by stating regardless of whatever you believe in, God set the world in motion and
was the sole aspect of religious freedom not the religious authorities of the day. All three men
agreed that God had away and plan for the foundations of means contributions religious beliefs
and authority within this country and was in the hearts of men themselves.
ENG 201
723-730.
Virginia. General Assembly, & Jefferson, T. (1779). A bill for establishing religious freedom.
Philp, M. (2013). Thomas Paine.
