Our Founding Fathers Were Not Deists

The writings of several of the most notable Founding Fathers indicates they believed in God and were promoters of Christianity. For purposes of this article, just three will be discussed: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.

By dictionary definition, deists, atheists, and agnostics are synonymous and include those who believe there is no God at all; those who believe there is no way to know if God exists; and those who believe in a distant, impersonal creator of the universe.

George Washington. According to David Barton, author and historian, Washington was an open promoter of Christianity. During a five-year period, between 1778 and 1783, there are no less than three significant events in which he openly referred to his belief in Christ or support of Christianity. On May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge he told his soldiers that in addition to having the character of patriots, "it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." In a speech on May 12, 1779, he said that what children needed to learn was the "religion of Jesus Christ," which would make them "greater and happier than they already are." And on June 8, 1783, when he resigned as commander in chief of the military, he said that "without a humble imitation" of "the Divine Author of our blessed religion" we "can never hope to be a happy nation."