What early politicians said about Christianity

God and Early Government

Quotes from Founding Fathers and other Politicians

There are constant debates about the "separation of church and state," but there is a difference between:
a) laws that prevent a government from interfering with, or requiring the practice of, a particular religion; and
b) laws that remove any mention of God, the Bible, or morality in government activities or documents.

The motivation for many of the early settlers coming to the Americas was to seek freedom to practice religion, as they saw fit, without government persecution. This desire was made a "God-given" right, by our founding fathers, of all citizens of these united states. The colonists' dedication to one God (Jehovah) and the authority of the Bible influenced the creation of our nation, was the source of many of our laws, and later the catalyst for literacy and our education system. The judicial system, and the effectiveness of democracy, depend on the moral fiber of its citizens.

However, there appears to be an increasing trend towards interpreting the constitution as assuring freedom-from religion, rather than freedom-of religion. In some cases, favoritism has been shown for teaching the beliefs, or accepting the practices, of paganism, evolutionism, or other non-Christian religions both in government and in education. Based on this observation, it appears that some of today's judges, politicians, and educators have forgotten the history that the following quotes reveal!

The Star-Spangled Banner
The American National Anthem (last verse)

O! Thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blessed with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto-"In God is our trust":
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
-- Francis Scott Key (1779-1843), American poet and attorney

The foundation of our society and our government rests so much on the teaching of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.
-- President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!
-- Patrick Henry (1736-1799)
We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future ... upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God.
-- James Madison in 1778
The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with those of Christianity.
-- President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)
In this age, there is no substitute for Christianity. That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.
-- House & Senate Committees' report, 1853
Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the redeemer of mankind... It is impossible that it should be otherwise and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.
-- U.S. Supreme Court in 1892
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians as their rulers.
-- John Jay, 1st Supreme Court Chief Justice
No free government now exists in the world, unless where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the country... Christianity is part of the common law... It is the purest system of morality... and only support of all human laws.
-- Pennsylvania Supreme Court, 1824
Blasphemy against the Almighty is denying his being or providence, or uttering contumacious [rebellious] reproaches on our Savior Christ. It is punished, at common law by fine and imprisonment, for Christianity is part of the law of the land.
-- Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780)
The Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things that all children under a free government ought to be instructed. The Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
-- Noah Webster (1758-1843)
Moral habits... cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits... Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.
-- Daniel Webster (1782-1852)
If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper, but if we and our posterity neglect it's instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury our glory in profound obscurity.
-- Daniel Webster (1782-1852)
God is the silent partner in all great enterprises.
-- Abraham Lincoln

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Š1995-2007 Gregory M. Bowen