1
An Analysis of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s
Letter to the Danbury Baptists
Constitutional Govt & Free Ent, GOVT 200, B01
2
The U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the
Danbury Baptists
The United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Thomas Jefferson’s
letter to the Danbury Baptists has made a significant impact in how the United States came to be.
All three of these documents have played an important role in history and it is important to know
why these documents were made. These documents have laid a foundation for the beliefs within
the United States and have help us, as Americans, get to where we are today. In this paper, I will
attempt to explain the differences of each document as well as the thought process of each of the
signers.
Differences between each document
When comparing the three documents, it can be hard to decipher what the signers
actually meant and agreed upon. The declaration of independence was the first of the three
documents to be written in June of 1776. However, it was not until July 4, 1776 when Congress
decided to adopt Thomas Jefferson’s document. The first noticeable difference between the
Declaration of Independence and the two other documents is that the Declaration of
Independence has a lot of religious references. It references not only faith, but God explicitly.
The Constitution on the other hand, does not have as many religious or higher power references.
The Declaration of Independence was first drafted to make it understood that the colonies were
separate from Mother England. In other word, they wanted to declare independence from
England ("Declaration of Independence: A transcription," 2020). The signers also wanted to give
the American people the power to choose what their religious believes are what higher power, if
any, to worship.
3
With the United States Constitution coming after the Declaration of Independence on
September 17, 1787, it does not have as many religious references to God, or a higher power. It
does, however, have a reference in Article stating “… Year of our Lord” ("Constitution of the Ⅶ
United States: A transcription," 2020). Those who do come from a religious background may see
this as a reference, while other may see it as stating what year it is. Unlike the Declaration of
Independence, the United States Constitution was written in the form of a manual. It was written
to understand how to run an effective non-religious government. The writers of the United States
Constitution wanted to make it clear that the government should not interfere with personal
religious beliefs, hence why there are not many religious references. They did not want
Americans to fear that it would be another situation where religious difference were frowned
upon.
Looking at things from a biblical worldview, one can take John 12:47 and apply it to the
United States Constitution. This specific bible verse reads, “If anyone hears my words and does
not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”
("Bible gateway passage: John 12:47 - English standard version," 2016). Being that the
constitution was made to have a government without religious motives, those who have different
beliefs will not be judged nor condemned. The Constitution was put in place to protect the
nation, not to judge those with conflicting religious beliefs.
The separation between the God and government, and church and state
It is especially hard to know what they meant by the separation of God and Government,
as well as the Church and State. When talking about God and Government, it is important to note
that the government is an authority that oversees the people in which it governs. The government
had put laws in place to serve and protect the United States. It does not impede on the peoples’
4
religious beliefs or practices. While the government unable to create laws the enforces religious
beliefs or practices, it can keep in mind the influences of religion and God.
When the signers came across the conversation about the separation of church and state, I
believe they thought that it was not the place of the government to be in unison with churches.
They believe that there should not be a state religion and was to not to be involved with religion
or religious beliefs. A perfect example would be Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists. The
Danbury Baptists had contacted Thomas Jefferson because they believed that their state
government had intruded their religious rights and freedoms. Within Jefferson’s letter, he
explained that the state is prohibited from interfering with their religious beliefs and practices.
It is easy to question how these three documents relate and correspond with each
other.
It is difficult to understand how those documents are related if they are not all presented
at the same time. Although each document touches on completely different subjects, all of the
signers had the same goal in mind. They wanted a free county with religious freedom. These
three documents were all important to be able to build a beautiful nation that was independent
from England. The goal of the Declaration of Independence was to declare independence from
England. Without this document there could be no United States Constitution. The goal of the
Constitution was to establish a government that was difference from that of England. The signers
wanted to ensure a government what would not interfere with religious beliefs and practices
among the people. Although the Constitution was put in place, the Danbury Baptists still faced
challenges within their state. This led to Jefferson’s letter, letting them know that the state was
unable to infringe on their religious beliefs and practices.
5
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Thomas Jefferson’s
Letter to the Danbury Baptists have collectively shape the United States. If it were not for these
founding documents, the United States may not have been what it is today. I believe it is
important to understand the reasoning for these documents and what the signers agreed to. The
signers of these three documents pressed the importance of religious freedom and a government
that did not infringe on religious beliefs of the people. Although at first glance these documents
may seem unrelated, but when taking a closer look, they all had the same goal in mind and bult
upon each other to create a strong nation.
6
References
Bible gateway passage: John 12:47 - English standard version. (2016). Bible
Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A47&version=ESV
The Constitution of the United States: A transcription. (2020, May 4). National
Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
Declaration of Independence: A transcription. (2020, May 29). National
Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists (June 1998) - Library of Congress information
bulletin. (n.d.). Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html
