THE FOUNDERS EXAMINED

Deism, Freemasonry & the Real Beliefs of America's Founders

Ages 14+ | EXPOSED Series

📜 Historical Analysis

This workbook examines the documented beliefs of America's Founding Fathers using their own writings. The goal is not to attack America or its founding, but to provide accurate history. Understanding what the Founders actually believed helps us evaluate claims about America being founded as a "Christian nation" and make informed decisions about our own faith.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Elohim: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

— 1 John 4:1

Lesson 1

The "Christian Nation" Debate

Two Competing Narratives

Americans disagree about whether the United States was founded as a Christian nation. Both sides use quotes from the Founders. What does the evidence actually show?

🇺🇸 Popular Christian View

  • Founders were devout Christians
  • America was founded on biblical principles
  • Constitution reflects Christian values
  • Separation of church/state is a myth
  • We need to return to our Christian roots

📜 Documented Evidence

  • Many key Founders were Deists, not Christians
  • Enlightenment philosophy heavily influenced founding
  • Freemasonry was common among Founders
  • Constitution deliberately secular
  • Treaty of Tripoli declared US "not a Christian nation"

Why This Matters

If we believe America was founded as a Christian nation, we may:

Lesson 2

Understanding Deism

What Is Deism?

Deism was the dominant religious philosophy among Enlightenment intellectuals, including several Founding Fathers.

Belief Deism Biblical Christianity God "Nature's God"—created universe then stepped back Yahuah—actively involved in creation Scripture Not divinely inspired; contains errors Inspired Word of Elohim Miracles Do not occur; violate natural law Demonstrate Yahuah's power Jesus/Yahusha Good moral teacher, not divine Son of Elohim, Messiah Prayer Ineffective; God doesn't intervene Heard and answered Salvation Through reason and morality Through faith in Yahusha
Deism Is NOT Christianity

Deism and biblical Christianity are fundamentally incompatible. A Deist may speak of "God" and "Providence" and even quote Scripture for moral lessons—but they reject the divinity of Yahusha, the inspiration of Scripture, and the possibility of miracles. Using Christian-sounding language doesn't make someone a Christian.

Lesson 3

Thomas Jefferson: In His Own Words

Thomas Jefferson

1743-1826 | Author of Declaration of Independence, 3rd President

Jefferson's Documented Beliefs

"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, 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, April 11, 1823
"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature." — Thomas Jefferson, cited in multiple sources

The Jefferson Bible

Jefferson literally cut out all miracles, supernatural events, and claims of divinity from the Gospels, leaving only moral teachings. He called this "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth." This reveals his view of Scripture—useful for ethics, but not divinely inspired.

What Jefferson Did Believe

Lesson 4

Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words

Benjamin Franklin

1706-1790 | Diplomat, Scientist, Founding Father

Franklin's Religious Views

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his Divinity." — Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Ezra Stiles, March 9, 1790 (shortly before his death)

Franklin's Religious Background

Freemasonry Connection

Franklin was deeply involved in Freemasonry:

Lesson 5

George Washington and Freemasonry

George Washington

1732-1799 | Commander-in-Chief, 1st President

Washington's Masonic Involvement

Washington's Religious Language

Washington frequently used Deistic terms rather than Christian ones:

"Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. I had hoped that liberal and enlightened thought would have reconciled the Christians so that their religious fights would not endanger the peace of Society." — George Washington, Letter to Edward Newenham, 1792

Communion Controversy

Washington's pastor, Rev. James Abercrombie, publicly criticized Washington for consistently leaving church before communion. After the rebuke, Washington simply stopped attending on communion Sundays. Abercrombie later said Washington was "a Deist" in his private conversations.

Lesson 6

The Treaty of Tripoli

Official Government Statement

In 1797, the United States signed a treaty with Tripoli (modern Libya) that included this remarkable statement:

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen [Muslims]..." — Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11 (1797), ratified unanimously by the Senate, signed by President John Adams

Context and Significance

What This Proves

The Treaty of Tripoli demonstrates that the Founders themselves—not modern secularists—declared that America was "not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." This was official U.S. policy, unanimously approved by men who were present at the founding.

Lesson 7

Freemasonry and the Founding

Masonic Influence

A significant number of signers of the Declaration and Constitution were Freemasons. Masonic symbolism appears throughout American founding documents and architecture.

Founding Father Masonic Status George Washington Master Mason, wore Masonic regalia at inauguration Benjamin Franklin Grand Master of Pennsylvania John Hancock Member Paul Revere Grand Master of Massachusetts John Paul Jones Member

Masonic Symbols in America

  • Great Seal: All-Seeing Eye, unfinished pyramid
  • Washington Monument: Egyptian obelisk design
  • Capitol Building: Laid with Masonic ceremony
  • Dollar Bill: Multiple Masonic symbols
  • Washington D.C. Layout: Alleged Masonic geometry
What Is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry claims to be compatible with any religion. However, it teaches that all religions lead to the same "Grand Architect," requires oaths and rituals, and has a theology (Deism) that contradicts biblical Christianity. One cannot be both a faithful Mason and a faithful Christian—despite what some claim.

Lesson 8

So What? Applications for Today

Why Does This Matter?

  1. Truth matters: Believing myths about the Founders leads to wrong conclusions
  2. Avoid idolatry: The Founders were men, not saints
  3. Discernment: Religious language doesn't equal biblical faith
  4. Political clarity: America ≠ Kingdom of Yahuah
  5. Evangelism: America doesn't need to "return" to Christianity—it needs to receive it

Genuine Christian Founders

Not all Founders were Deists. Some demonstrated genuine Christian faith:

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."

— Psalm 146:3-4

The Real Foundation

Our hope is not in the American founding, but in Yahusha HaMashiach. The Founders—Christian, Deist, or otherwise—were fallible men. We honor what was good in their work while recognizing their limitations and errors. Only the Kingdom of Yahuah is eternal.