Examining the Hidden Connections in American History
Introduction: The Uncomfortable Truth
"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32
American Christians are often taught that the United States was founded as a "Christian nation" by devout believers. This narrative is comforting but incomplete. The truth is more complex - and understanding it matters.
Why This Matters:
False history leads to false conclusions
We shouldn't worship the Founders as saints
Understanding their beliefs explains choices they made
It affects how we view America's purpose and destiny
Truth honors Yahuah more than comfortable myths
This Is Not Anti-American
Examining the Founders honestly is not an attack on America. Many of them were brilliant men who created remarkable documents. But they were also fallen humans with flawed beliefs. We can appreciate their contributions while acknowledging their spiritual errors.
1The Christian Founding Myth
What We're Often Told:
"America was founded as a Christian nation"
"The Founders were devout Christians"
"Our documents are based on the Bible"
"They fled religious persecution to worship freely"
"We have a covenant with God like Israel"
Elements of Truth:
Many early colonists (Pilgrims, Puritans) WERE sincere Christians
Christian morality shaped colonial culture
Some Founders did have genuine Christian faith
Biblical concepts influenced legal thinking
The Problem:
The Revolution-era Founders (1770s-1790s) were often quite different from the earlier colonists. Many key figures held views that would disqualify them from membership in most churches today.
"The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
- Treaty of Tripoli (1797), unanimously ratified by the Senate, signed by President John Adams
2What Is Deism?
Many key Founders were Deists - a belief system that was popular among Enlightenment intellectuals.
Deism Believes:
A "Creator" or "Supreme Being" exists (designed the universe)
This God does NOT intervene in human affairs
No miracles, answered prayer, or divine revelation
The Bible is NOT divinely inspired
Yahusha was a moral teacher, NOT the Son of God
Reason, not faith, is the path to truth
"Nature's God" - impersonal cosmic force
Deism Is NOT Christianity
Deism explicitly rejects:
The deity of Yahusha
The resurrection
The inspiration of Scripture
Salvation by grace through faith
Prayer as communication with God
Miracles of any kind
A Deist may use religious language but means something entirely different.
Why Deism Appealed to Intellectuals:
Allowed them to seem religious while rejecting Christianity
Aligned with "scientific" worldview
Removed accountability to divine law
Provided moral framework without supernatural claims
Was fashionable in educated European circles
3Individual Founders Examined
Thomas Jefferson
Position: Primary author of Declaration of Independence, 3rd President
Beliefs: Deist who explicitly rejected Christianity
Evidence:
Created the "Jefferson Bible" - literally cut out all miracles and supernatural events
Called the Trinity "incomprehensible jargon"
Said the Book of Revelation was "the ravings of a maniac"
Rejected virgin birth, resurrection, and deity of Christ
"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the Supreme Being in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."
- Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, 1823
Benjamin Franklin
Position: Diplomat, scientist, signer of Declaration and Constitution
Beliefs: Deist
Evidence:
In his autobiography, stated he became a "thorough Deist" at age 15
When asked about Jesus's divinity shortly before death, said he had "doubts"
Belonged to the Hellfire Club in England (notorious for blasphemy)
Member of multiple Masonic lodges
"As to Jesus of Nazareth... I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity."
- Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Ezra Stiles, 1790
George Washington
Position: Commander-in-Chief, 1st President
Beliefs: Complex - probably Deist with occasional church attendance
Evidence:
Never publicly professed Christian faith
Never mentioned Jesus Christ in any surviving letter or speech
Used Deist terms: "Providence," "Supreme Being," "Grand Architect"
Left church before communion was served
High-ranking Freemason (Worshipful Master of his lodge)
On deathbed, asked for no clergy and died without any religious observances
John Adams
Position: 2nd President, diplomat
Beliefs: Unitarian (rejected the Trinity)
Evidence:
Explicitly rejected the Trinity as unbiblical
Signed the Treaty of Tripoli stating America was not Christian
Called the incarnation "awful blasphemy"
"The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."
- John Adams, Diary entry
Thomas Paine
Position: Author of "Common Sense" which sparked Revolution
Beliefs: Deist, anti-Christian
Evidence:
Wrote "The Age of Reason" attacking Christianity
Called the Bible "a book of lies"
Said the Christian story was borrowed from paganism
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of."
- Thomas Paine, "The Age of Reason"
4Freemasonry & the Founders
Many key Founders were Freemasons, which significantly shaped their worldview.
Confirmed Freemasons Among Founders:
Name
Masonic Status
George Washington
Worshipful Master
Benjamin Franklin
Grand Master of Pennsylvania
Paul Revere
Grand Master of Massachusetts
John Hancock
Member
James Monroe
Member
John Paul Jones
Member
13+ signers of Constitution
Confirmed members
What Freemasonry Teaches
"Grand Architect of the Universe" - generic god concept
All religions are equal paths to the same god
Salvation through works and self-improvement
Secret rituals with occult elements
Oaths of secrecy above other loyalties
Ancient mysteries from Egypt and Babylon
Masonic Influence on America:
Great Seal: All-seeing eye, pyramid, Latin phrases
Washington D.C.: Street layout with Masonic symbols
Notice: NO mention of Jesus Christ, the Bible, Christianity, or salvation
U.S. Constitution:
No mention of God, Jesus, Christianity, or the Bible
Only religious reference: "Year of our Lord" (standard dating)
Article VI: "No religious test shall ever be required" for office
First Amendment: Government cannot establish religion
Contrast with Other Documents
The Mayflower Compact (1620), by contrast, explicitly stated its purpose as "the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith."
Many state constitutions DID reference Christianity. But the national documents were deliberately secular.
"The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
- Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11, ratified unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 1797
6The Faithful Few
Not all Founders were Deists or Masons. Some were genuine Christians:
Patrick Henry
"Give me liberty or give me death!"
Professed orthodox Christian faith. Refused to attend Constitutional Convention due to concerns about the document. Explicitly warned against Deist influences.
Samuel Adams
Wrote of his hope in Christ and referenced Scripture in his writings. One of the more devout Founders.
John Jay
First Chief Justice. Professed Christian who wrote about the importance of Christianity to the nation.
"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty... of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
- John Jay
John Witherspoon
Presbyterian minister who signed the Declaration. Only active clergyman to sign.
The Divide
There was a clear divide between:
Educated elites (often Deist, Masonic)
Common people and clergy (mostly Christian)
The Christian masses supported the Revolution, but many leaders held very different private beliefs.
7A Balanced View
What We Can Affirm:
The Founders created remarkable documents protecting liberty
Christian morality shaped colonial culture
Some Founders were genuine believers
Religious freedom allowed Christianity to flourish
Many good principles in American founding
What We Must Acknowledge:
Key Founders were NOT Christians
Masonic and Deist influence was significant
The documents are NOT Christian documents
America was not founded as a covenant nation like Israel
We should not make idols of the Founders
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." - Psalm 146:3
Both/And, Not Either/Or
The truth is that America has a dual heritage:
Sincere Christian colonists AND Deist revolutionaries
Biblical influence AND Enlightenment philosophy
Protection of religious freedom AND deliberate secularism
Good fruit AND corrupt roots
8Implications for Today
What This Means for Believers:
1. Don't Idolize America
America is not "God's chosen nation." It is not in covenant with Yahuah like Israel. It is a nation with good and bad, founded by flawed men.
2. Don't Worship the Founders
They were not prophets or apostles. Their writings are not Scripture. Test everything against Yahuah's Word.
3. Our Hope Is Not in Politics
The Kingdom of Yahuah is not advanced by political power. Our citizenship is in heaven.
4. Truth Matters
Even uncomfortable truth. We honor Yahuah by seeking truth, not by clinging to comfortable myths.
5. Appreciate What's Good
Religious freedom, rule of law, and limited government are genuine blessings - even if they came from imperfect men.
"Thus saith Yahuah, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Yahuah. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Yahuah, and whose hope Yahuah is." - Jeremiah 17:5, 7
Conclusion
The American Founding is a complex story of genuine Christians, Enlightenment Deists, secretive Masons, and ambitious politicians. The simplistic "Christian nation" narrative does not hold up to historical scrutiny.
This should not discourage us. Our faith does not rest on America or its Founders. It rests on Yahuah alone. And knowing the truth - even uncomfortable truth - sets us free from misplaced hope in earthly kingdoms.
Key Takeaways:
Many key Founders were Deists, not Christians
Freemasonry significantly influenced the Founding
The founding documents are deliberately secular
Some Founders WERE genuine believers
America has a dual heritage - Christian colonists AND Deist revolutionaries
Our hope is in Yahuah's Kingdom, not America
"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world." - John 18:36
