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Christian Nation Quiz - Part I

It seems to me that if the founding fathers of this country were very bright, and I think that they were, then their intentions to form a "Christian Nation" would be clearly evident in our founding documents. I mean, aside from their private writings where no indication of such intent can be found, wouldn’t such intent be clear in the very documents that declared and established this country?

To that end, I have examined some of the early documents, written by these founding fathers, upon which this nation was founded. First, there is the Declaration of Independence. While the view of the founding fathers was that the Declaration did not found a new nation, but rather returned the power to govern to the source, i.e., the people, this document is often cited as evidence of a “Christian Nation” by advocates of a repressive theocracy. The Declaration of Independence left the 13 Colonies without a legislative body and without law. As the founding fathers expressed at the time, the people were returned to the state of nature.

Second, I have examined the eleven constitutions, written concurrently with or immediately after the Declaration in 1776 and 1777, which reestablished governments in ten of the newly independent states, and also established the independent Republic of New Connecticut (now known as Vermont) from the disputed territories that were claimed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. Three colonies (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut) didn’t draft and adopt constitutions until later and instead reverted to a previous charter.

Third, I examined the Articles of Confederation, the initial founding document of The United States of America, The Constitution itself, and the Bill of Rights.

So here are some questions about these documents. Keep in mind that the intent of the founding fathers to form a “Christian Nation” should be quite clear in these documents, if that were their intent.

The answers are in the paragraphs following each question. No cheating by reading ahead.

1. The Declaration shows the intention to form a “Christian Nation” in that it mentions Jesus Christ how many times? a. zero, b. one, c. three, d. five.

Of course, everyone knows the answer. This initial document of the United States mentions Jesus exactly zero times. A bit peculiar upon the founding of a “Christian Nation,” don’t you think?

2. The Declaration shows the intention to form a “Christian Nation” in that it mentions God how many times? a. zero, b. one, c. three, d. five.

I’m sure you all got this right too. God is mentioned one time. Sadly for the “Christian Nation” crowd, “Nature and Nature’s God” is an expression typical of deism, written by Thomas Jefferson, an undisputed deist. The deity was typically mentioned as the “Creator,” or “Divine Providence” (also in the Declaration). The idea was the nature was established by the deity who then had no further part in the course of events – thus, “Nature’s God.”

3. How many times in the 11 state constitutions of 1776 & 1777 is Jesus mentioned?. a. zero, b. one, c. five, d. eleven.

A hint. It’s more than zero. It’s true. Even at the state level, in founding Christian governments, the drafters of the state constitutions failed to mention Jesus Christ more than a single time, specified in the oath taken by the legislators in a single state, Delaware. While it may not have been a Christian Nation, at least in Delaware only Christians and liars could be members of the legislature.

4. How many times in the 11 state constitutions of 1776 & 1777 is the word “Christian” used? a. zero, b. three, c. six, d. nine

Bet you thought you had this one too. The correct answer is six times in three of the 11 constitutions. But that isn’t necessarily a good thing for the “Christian Nation” advocates. Let’s consider New York first. Article XXXV of the Constitution of New York of April, 1777 states in part, “That all such parts of…common law, and…statutes and acts…as may be construed to establish or maintain any particular denomination of Christians or their ministers, …are repugnant to this constitution,…and they hereby are, abrogated and rejected.”

The Constitution of Virginia of June 1776 states in Sec 16 of the Bill of Rights, “That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator…can be directed only by reason and conviction…and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.” That isn’t really establishing a “Christian” government but an encouragement to the people to respect the right of each person to practice religion as he sees fit.

Finally, there is the Maryland Constitution of November, 1776. Christianity is mentioned twice in Article XXXIII where it states that every man has the right and duty to worship God any such a manner as seems most acceptable to him. It mentions Christians when it specifically extends the same right to those “professing the Christian religion.” In that same article, the legislature is authorized to levy taxes for the support of religion. However, control of where that money is to be spent is retained by the citizen rather than being given to the established state religion. Further on, in Articles XXXV and again in Article LV, a belief in the “Christian Religion,” along with requirements to reject the sovereignty of the King and to swear allegiance to the state, is specified as a requirement to hold elective or appointive office. It also states that no further religious test is required. It is interesting to note that the Supreme Court found a similar provision in the Maryland Constitution unconstitutional when a man appointed as a notary public was denied that commission by a court clerk because he refused to declare his belief in God. (Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488 (1961))

At any rate, here in the Constitution of Maryland we do find intent to form a “Christian Nation.” However, I don’t think that two of the 13 states that we have found so far are enough to ascribe that view to the founding fathers from all states.

5. How many times in the 11 state constitutions of 1776 & 1777 is there a reference to the “Creator?” a. zero, b. four, c. eight, d. twelve

Did you take a lucky guess and say eight? Then you are wrong because it is four. In the Constitution of New York of April, 1777 the Declaration of Independence is quoted, all of it. Thus, just as the Declaration contains one reference to the Creator, so does the Constitution of New York.

In the Constitution of Pennsylvania of September, 1776, the form of the oath to be taken by members of the state assembly contains the word “Creator.” “I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.” It goes on state that there should be no further religious test. Here was the perfect place to specify a “Christian Nation” (or at least a Christian State) and it misses the mark. It doesn’t require a belief in Christianity and thus, even deists could be members of the state assembly. Thus, Benjamin Franklin was not only a member, but the President of the Executive Council.

Since the Constitution of Vermont of July, 1777 was an almost verbatim copy of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, it contains one reference to a “Creator” in the oath sworn by members of the state legislature.

The single mention of a “Creator” in the Constitution of Virginia has already been mentioned in question 4. Remember that it was in reference to the duty to practice religion and that every man is free to do so as he sees fit.

Also remember that use of “Creator” for the deity was typical of deists, and apparently acceptable for Christians.