We the People How Religious Were the Founders?
Dec 13, 2024
In this discussion, guests Jane Calvert, a biography author on John Dickinson, Vincent Phillip Muñoz, a Notre Dame religion professor, and Thomas Kidd, a Baptist studies chair, delve into the nuanced role of religion among America's Founding Fathers. They examine varying personal faiths, from deism to traditional Christianity, and how these shaped ideals like religious liberty and governance. They also explore John Dickinson's Quaker influences and the philosophical foundations of natural rights, emphasizing the delicate balance between church and state that informed the Constitution.
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Founders' Religious Diversity
- Founding Fathers held diverse religious beliefs, ranging from deism to traditional Christianity.
- Despite these differences, they shared common principles like religious liberty, virtue's importance, and God's role in history.
Founders' Religious Beliefs
- While some Founders, like Jefferson, were deists, others like Washington maintained traditional Christian beliefs.
- A shared belief in natural rights, equality, and a moral order united them despite their differing levels of religiosity.
Dickinson's Quaker Influence
- John Dickinson, though raised Quaker, never formally joined due to his belief in defensive war.
- His Quaker values influenced his advocacy for religious liberty, including women's rights and abolition.
