Recently I was told that the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence were 'deists' which means that they believed "in a God who created
the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no
influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation." This was based upon certain phrases such as "Nature's God", "Divine Providence", and the "Creator".
But what about the men who wrote and signed that American document? What quotes can we find from these men?
Adams, John - Congregationalist and later a Unitarian (he did not accept the
Trinity). He said, "To enable me to maintain this declaration I rely, under God,
with entire confidence on the firm and enlightened support of the national
legislature and upon the virtue and patriotism of my fellow citizens." (Signer
of Declaration of Independence)
Adams, Samuel - Congregationalist. "We have this day restored the Sovereign to
Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to
the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come." Also: "The rights of the
colonists as Christians...may be best understood by reading and carefully
studying the institutes of the Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church,
which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament."
(Signer of Declaration of Independence)
Carroll, Charles - Roman Catholic. Carroll said, "Without morals a republic
cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian
religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid
foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."
(Signer of Declaration of Independence)
Chase, Samuel - Chase was an Episcopalian. As a Supreme Court Justince he said,
"Religion is of general and public concern, and on its support depend, in great
measure, the peace and good order of government, the safety and happiness of the
people. By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established
religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same
equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious
liberty." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)
Clark, Abraham - Clark was a Presbyterian, and said once, ""Nothing short of the
Almighty Power of God can Save us-it is not in our Numbers, our Union, or our
Valour that I dare trust." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)
Huntington, Samuel - He was a Congregationalist. According to B. J. Lossing's
“Signers of the Declaration of Independence,” it is known that “Governor
Huntington lived the life of the irreproachable and sincere Christian... as a
devoted Christian and a true patriot, he never swerved from duty...” (Signer of
Declaration of Independence)
Jefferson, Thomas - Jefferson was probably best called a Deist, but he is also
claimed by Unitarians and some Christian denominations. He was the one who
penned the idea that our rights come from God (“Creator”) (Signer of Declaration
of Independence)
Madison, James - Member of the Episcopal Church. He said, "The belief in a
God, all powerful, wise, and good, [is] essential to the moral order of the
world, and to the happiness of man." (Signer of Declaration of Independence,
Delegate to Constitutional Convention, Signer of Constitution)
Morton, John - Member of the Episcopal Church. In his will he said, “...for the
settling of such temporal estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this
life...” (Signer of Declaration of Independence)
Paine, Robert - Paine left Calvinism to become a Unitarian. He served as a
military chaplain. He said, "I am constrained to express my adoration of . . .
the Author of my existence . . . [for] His forgiving mercy revealed to the world
through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future
state." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)
Stockton, Richard - Stockton was a Presbyterian. He said, "I think it proper
here not only to subscribe to . . . doctrines of the Christian religion . . .
but also, in the bowels of a father's affection, to exhort and charge them [my
children] that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life
held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness."
(Signer of Declaration of Independence)
[from http://churchvstate.blogspot.com/2007/10/signers-of-declaration-of-independence.html]
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