I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST Miracles in America's Founding? with Tim Mahoney
Jun 6, 2025
Tim Mahoney, a filmmaker known for 'Patterns of Evidence,' joins to explore whether the founding of the United States was guided by divine intervention. He discusses remarkable events like George Washington's foggy escape during the Revolutionary War, suggesting it was a moment of divine providence. Mahoney differentiates between miracles and providence and highlights the Founding Fathers' beliefs in God’s influence. The conversation also addresses American exceptionalism, the significance of the Bill of Rights, and the crucial aspects of civics education today.
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Washington's Miraculous Escape
- On August 29th, 1776, George Washington and 9,000 men escaped a British trap across the East River under an unusual fog.
- This event, against the odds and during battle, is seen as divine providence preserving the American Revolution.
Washington's Early Life Dangers
- George Washington survived smallpox, a near-fatal shooting by a native guide, freezing in icy waters, and an ambush that killed 30 officers.
- His survival through these perils was seen as supernatural protection, foreshadowing his leadership in America's founding.
Founders' Dual View On Human Nature
- The founders built the Constitution on two pillars: the divine dignity of man and man's fallen nature.
- This dual understanding led to a system with checks and balances to protect rights and prevent abuse.