"The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were [...] the general Principles of Christianity, in which all these Sects were United: . . . Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System."
- John Adams (1)

"[T]he great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people
in the pure doctrines and divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
- House of Representatives, 1856

America is a Christian Nation

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There is a dangerous movement afoot to disseminate false information about America’s religious background and history. The chief peddlers of these falsehoods are the public school and university systems, although many others are jumping on the bandwagon. Among the lies they tell are that America was not founded on Christian principles, that the Founding Fathers were deists, and that the Constitution is intended to protect against religious interference in government through the  “separation of church and state”.

The purpose of this charade is to slowly but surely erase the bonds of religion and morality, while increasing the power of, and dependency upon, government. In the name of progress, diversity, and acceptance, America's cultural and religious heritage is being eradicated.

People who say that America is not a Christian nation are guilty of equivocation. Let us examine what this phrase, "a Christian nation" means.

John Jay wrote, "By "Christian nation," I don't mean that everyone is forced to be a Christian or forced to go to church or to believe in God. People are free to be Buddhists, atheists, or whatever. The job of government is not to convert or force conversion to any kind of faith. The job of the government is to do for the people what they can't do for themselves. And the job of bringing people to faith belongs to the private citizens, the churches, the synagogues and the religious leaders of our nation. That separation should always be kept. What I mean by a Christian nation is a nation whose laws are self-consciously built on the laws and principles of the Bible." (emphasis mine)

And of course Jay was correct. A Christian nation would not force its citizens to convert or participate in the faith. Such a measure of control would violate Biblical principles opposed to coercion and violation of free will. For a nation to follow the precepts of Christianity, it must necessarily permit personal freedom to believe as one likes. Patrick Henry confirmed that the Christian faith directly provided freedom of faith to all individuals. “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” (2)

By "Christian nation," these Founders meant not that every American was a Christian, but that the values and foundations of our country are laid in the Christian tradition. The First Chief Justice Joseph Story confirmed that, "There never has been a period of history, in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying at its foundation."

The moral foundations of America are steeped in Christian ethics. Among the defining qualities of America are: equality, justice, freedom, individual accountability and responsibility, and the sanctity of natural rights. Each of these has a Biblical precedent, and America's Founders intentionally drew inspiration from that source.

The historical ledger confirms the vast influence of Christianity upon America's founding and system of government.

Faith of the Founding Fathers
Historical Timeline of Christian Influence in America
Court References to Christianity
Christian References in Architecture
Christianity in American Culture
Role of Religion in American Politics
Original Intention of "Separation of Church and State"

Citations

1. Lester J. Capon, ed., The Adams-Jefferson Letters 2 vols. (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1959) (emphasis mine)
2. Patrick Henry, May 1765 speech to the House of Burgesses (emphasis mine)