Was America founded as a Christian nation?

Answer 1

No, this is a myth, promoted mainly by conservative evangelical Christians. Most historians generally accept that the United States of America was founded as a nation where citizens would be free to follow whatever religion they chose, without discrimination or persecution. This is stated clearly in the First Amendment: that congress will not "establish" a religion-- there will not be an officially sanctioned faith, nor will people be expected to have particular beliefs. When the Founding Fathers wrote on the topic of religion, they supported this principle.

While some revisionist historians insist that the Founding Fathers wanted America to be Christian, this is a myth. There are many claims found on the internet that make this assertion, but there is no credible evidence to support it. Some of the revisionist historians who try to make the case rely on fake quotes (putting words in the mouths of the Founders that they never said), or taking comments they made out of context. Fact-checking sites like snopes.com have done a commendable job debunking some of these myths.

We do know that several of the founders were very loyal to Christianity, and said so. But others were more secular and a majority of them approved of what came to be called "separation of church and state." Thomas Jefferson stated this in The Treaty of Tripoli, which was signed on November 4th, 1796: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen [Muslims],-and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan [Muslim] nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." This treaty was instigated by President George Washington, signed by President John Adams, and unanimously accepted by the U.S. Senate. "And I do hereby enjoin and require all persons bearing office civil or military within the United States, and all other citizens or inhabitants thereof, faithfully to observe and fulfill the said Treaty and every clause and article thereof." The Treaty was then printed in the Philadelphia Gazette and two New York newspaper- there was little public objection at the time.