Thomas J. Fleming Quotes
It is a pretty fiction, and one that I would like to believe. The American founding is a complex story, and there were many Christians among the leaders in the seceding states. However, neither the leaders of the Revolution nor the principal authors of the Constitution were, for the most part, devout and orthodox Christians.
Thomas J. Fleming, Historian & Novelist, August 28, 2003
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
His reference was to an absence of very much religious language in American documents of the founding fathers. While some founding fathers were very religious, and all knowledgeable about religion, Meacham argues from the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, and many other documents of the founding of America that the absence of religious language that was present in much other literature, demonstrates a conscious effort to assure that there would be separation of church and state for they had seen the horrors of interreligious strife in Europe and were very cognizant about the problems caused in early Colonial America by established religions.
The argument over whether or not the Founding Fathers intended a religious—Christian—foundation in the formation of America is not just a debate of modern times, but has been debated even in the next generation of politicians. Webster, believed that it was.
In 1872 a proposed Constitutional amendment was debated throughout much of the country. The proposed “Christian Amendment” to the Constitution, recognized the Bible, God, and made Christianity the state religion requiring religious tests of public officials including belonging to an organized Christian Church. “Deists” as used then referred to people who had a general belief in a Supreme Being but did not belong to any formal or organized church.
The official city seal at the time contained the Christian fish symbol.
Catholics were blamed by some for the defeat of Henry Clay in 1844. Anti catholic sentiment was high:. Johnson was then a Congressman representing a district where there were few Catholics and strong anti-Catholic feeling.
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Many of the founding fathers were aware of such views in England as the same issues were being debated in America in the debates on Ratification of the Constitution and the required inclusion of the Bill or Rights—specifically the First Amendment.
Thomas James Fleming was an American historian and historical novelist and the author of over forty nonfiction and fiction titles. His work reflects a particular interest on the American Revolution, with titles such as Liberty! The American Revolution And The Future Of America, Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the History of America and Washington's Secret War: The Hidden History of Valley Forge.
