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The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and Jefferson's letter to the
Baptists are all significant documents in American history, but their intentions and are quite
different; the Declaration was a commitment, the Constitution a fulfillment and Jefferson's letter
a declaration on religious freedom.
Declaration of independence
The Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776, and it is the first document which
announces the separation of thirteen colonies of North America from Great Britain. It also enlists
complaints against the King of England for trampling on the rights of people, which led the
colonists to declare independence. It declares that all citizens are free and have the right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Unlike the other two documents, it concentrates on the
fundamental concepts of governance and individual rights instead of how the government should
be constructed or ruled (The declaration of independence; a transcription 2020).
The constitution of the United States
The United States Constitution, written in 1787 and adopted in 1788, is the
second document, it establishes the structure and fundamental rules of the three branches of
federal government: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also includes the bills of rights, the
first ten amendments to the constitution which then state human rights such as freedom of
religion, speech, and the press. In comparison to the other documents, it specifies the structure of
how the government should be ruled. It also protects specific citizens' rights that were not
included in the declaration. (The constitution of the United States; a transcription, 2023)
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Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist association
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are followed by the Thomas
Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, written on January 1, 1802. The Baptists
were concerned about the government interfering with their religious freedom. In the letter,
Jefferson mentions, the first amendment of the US constitution created a “ wall of separation
between church and state”, indicating that the government was prohibited from promoting any
particular religion. The First Amendment, does not address the issue of religion extensively as
the Jefferson’s letter does (Jefferson’s letter to Danbury Baptist, June 1998)
What do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution thought about the separation of church and state or about the separation of
God from government?
The bible states; “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God”.
(New international version, 2011, Romans 13:1). The founding fathers, who were the signers of
the declaration of independence and constitution, had a worldview similar to the bibles mandate,
they wanted American to make their own decision and to believe whatever they pleased in terms
of religion. Among the purpose of the first amendment was the separation of the church and
state, it is not constitutional for the government to promote one religion over another, to tell
people when to adore God or which religion to follow, it is better for both institutions to support
their own pockets.
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References
National Archives. (2020, March 20). America’s founding documents- Declaration of
independence: a transcription.
Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives
National Archives. (2023, February 3). America’s founding documents-The constitution of the
United States: a transcription
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription | National Archives
New international version (2011). New international version online. ROMANS 13 NIV - Submission
to Governing Authorities - Bible Gateway
Library of congress. Information bulletin (June 1998). Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist.
Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists (June 1998) - Library of Congress Information Bulletin (loc.gov)
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