LogFAQs > #969038762

Some Founding Fathers did believe in "freedom from religion," and others absolutely did not. In my piece for the Christian politics journal, American Reformer, from a few months ago, I make the case that James Madison did envision the establishment of a secular, liberal republic that would represent the basis for a new, more individualistic way of life.

https://americanreformer.org/2022/09/the-original-anti-christian-nationalist/

However, there is no question that men such as George Washington, Samuel Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, and many other major Founders did believe that the religion was a necessary foundation for the political order. Washington speaks unambiguously on this question in his Farewell Address, which has always been considered to be one of the key expressions of republican idealism from early American history:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men & citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man ought to respect & to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private & public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desertthe oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structurereason & experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Also consider John Hancock's appeal to the people, in his Inaugural Address as Governor of Massachusetts, to remember the Lord's Day on Sunday:

"A due observation of the Lord's Day is not only important to internal religion, but greatly conducive to the order and benefit of civil society. It speaks to the senses of mankind and, by a solemn cessation of their common affairs, reminds them of a Deity and their accountableness to the great Lord of all. Whatever may be necessary to the support of such an institution, in consistence with a reasonable personal liberty, deserves the attention of civil government. Manners, by which not only the freedom, but the very existence of republics, are greatly affected, depend much upon the public institutions of religion and the good education of the youth; in both these instances our [Puritan] fathers laid wise foundations, for which their posterity have had reason to bless their memory."