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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.
01:03:22
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Quick takeaways
- The founding fathers represented a spectrum of religious beliefs, from deism to orthodox Christianity, influencing their governance principles.
- Despite their varying personal faiths, the founders collectively supported the idea of religious liberty and the importance of a moral framework in governance.
Deep dives
Diversity of Founders' Religious Beliefs
The founding fathers of America exhibited a wide range of religious beliefs, varying from deism to orthodox Christianity. Notably, figures like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were deists, while traditional Christians like Patrick Henry held more conventional views. Despite their personal differences, these founders shared common ground on principles such as the importance of religious liberty and moral virtue in governance. Their collective public views on religion provided essential support for both the American Revolution and the Constitution's framing.
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