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Jerrica,
Great job on your post this week! I thoroughly enjoyed your view on the topic. To further your
statement regarding the Founding Fathers and their desist view, it is stated that “Desist
emphasized the importance of morality” which could also be influential to a Christian
theory (Hall, 2019, p. 1). Additionally, I agree with you that “Christian theories and doctrine
heavily influenced the Founding Fathers” even if several of the Founding Fathers never admitted
it openly. An example of such influence can be found in the closing of the Declaration of
Independence when stated, “We Mutually Pledge To Each Other Our Lives, Our Fortunes, And
Our Sacred Honor”. (U.S. Declaration of Independence, Paragraph 32, 1776). Further, I enjoyed
your Biblical reference. God’s influence on the founding of America can also be found on the
Liberty Bell where Leviticus 25:10 is inscribed, and states “And you shall consecrate the fiftieth
year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for
you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family”.
(New King James Bible, 1769/1982, Leviticus 25:10). Again, great job and God bless!
References
Hall, M. D. (2019). Did America Have a Christian Founding?. HarperCollins
Christian. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781400211111
U.S. Declaration of Independence. (1776). Retrieved from
https://www.archives.gov/founding- docs/declaration?
_ga=2.204126104.967367269.1680191277-934901619.1680191277
New King James Bible. (1982) Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1769)
Erin,
Great job on your thread! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your perspective on the influence had on
the Founding Fathers. I do agree with you that “Religious tolerance and freedom were important
topics in this era” and it had a vast influence on the influence the Founding Fathers had to have
more of a Christian base when drafting the founding documents of our country. As stated, “There
are good reasons to believe that many of America’s founders were orthodox Christians, and there
is virtually no evidence to suggest that most (or even many) of them were deists, at least as that
term in popularity and historically understood” (Hall, 2019, p. 11). Additionally, “America’s
founders regularly appealed to natural law and natural rights” (Hall, 2019, p. 42). An additional
example of the religious influence had on the founders in developing the government in which
we have today is Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptist. He stated, “Believing with
you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to
none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions
only, & not opinions…” (Jefferson, 1802). Again, great job and God bless!
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References
Hall, M. D. (2019). Did America Have a Christian Founding?. HarperCollins
Christian. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781400211111
Jefferson's letter to the danbury baptists the final letter, as sent. Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury
Baptists (January, 1802) - Library of Congress Information Bulletin. (January, 1802) Retrieved
from https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html
