Did the founders of our country intend it to be a secularist, neutral nation or did they believe this was a nation created to the glory of God?

One issue which most perplexes and troubles our national life today is the issue of church and state. Numerous battles have been waged over this issue in the effort to either separate or unite the religions of the people to the government and public life of this nation.

A great deal of ink has flowed over this particular question; some advocating for the separation between church and state to be absolute with no relationship between the government and the church or God; while others absolutely maintaining our nation was founded as a “Christian nation.” But what does our history say?

The first settlement in this country was the one in Jamestown in 1607. Even before the settlers left England they drew up the First Charter of Virginia. Dated 1606 it declared the sovereignty of God over all people. After the settlers landed at Cape Henry in April 1607 they erected a large wooded cross and held a prayer meeting.

Next, chronologically, the Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed at Pilgrim Rock. On November 11, 1620 before setting foot on the new continent the Pilgrims joined together and signed the Mayflower Compact. This Compact of the first permanent settlement of this land begins, “In the name of God, Amen.” Governor William Bradford wrote the first things the Pilgrims did when they landed on these shores were to “fall on their knees and bless the God of Heaven.”

The first written constitution (1639) which created a government in this land, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut included words such as Almighty God, divine providence and that there should be “an orderly and decent Government established according to God.” The First Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges speaks of “Almighty God being the only Lord of Conscience, Father of Light and Spirits; and the Author of all divine knowledge, faith and worship…” The providence of God clearly comes forth in the our Declaration of Independence in which the first paragraph states all men “endowed by their Creator…” and concludes with our “firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence…”

Finally when the representatives met for three weeks to form the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin said the longer he lived, “the more convincing proof I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men…” George Washington in his first inaugural address said, it would be “improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who who rules over the universe,…” One of his early official acts was the First Thanksgiving Proclamation in which Washington stated it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge “the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor.” In the constitutions of ALL 50 of our states (without exception), there is an appeal or prayer to the Almighty God of this universe; and a reference to God who is the Creator of our liberties and preserver of our freedoms.

In addition to these documents there is significant “monumental” evidence in Washington D.C. The cornerstone of our Capitol building, having been laid by Washington himself, contains a number of documents including a manuscript in the handwriting of Daniel Webster, Secretary of State of the US, which concludes with “all hearts assembled whether belonging to public or to private lives, with hearts devoted to Almighty God for the preservation of the liberty and happiness of the county…” In our House of Representatives above the chair of the Speaker of the House you’ll find in large words our official national motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

Enter the White House and read the words placed on the fireplace by the first President to inhabit that building, John Adams, which says, “I pray Heaven bestow the best of Blessings,,,” If one climbs the stairs of the Washington Monument one will find various verses from scripture and if you were able to get to the top of the monument, on the outside you would read on that metal cap the words, “Praise be to God.” Even our National Anthem concludes with the words “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!”

Returning to the question before us, from all the documents that formed our country, the ideals of those who framed them, the convictions of those who settled this land, all the constitutions of all our states, the statements on the monuments, we may unmistakably conclude that we ARE a nation under God; created to the “Glory of God.” However, it would be a stretch to claim we are a Christian Nation or that that was the intent of our founders since several (eg. Benjamin Franklin) of them were deists.

Nevertheless, we Christians must no longer tolerate the other extreme and allow the movement to prevail and reduce this nation to a secularistic, atheistic, humanistic state. On this the 250th anniversary of our nation, may God grant us believers the courage to take our stand against such arguments while there is still a place to make that stand.