Deism and Christian Nationalism

Public Misconceptions - “Jefferson’s Prayer”

• Claim by Mike Johnson (2025): Recited a prayer allegedly said by Jefferson daily.

• Truth:

  • The prayer originated in the late 19th century.

  • First printed in The Book of Common Prayer (1928).

  • Falsely attributed to George Washington before later being linked to Jefferson.

• Quote from prayer: “Show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.”

• Why It Matters: Highlights modern efforts to misrepresent the Founders as evangelical Christians.

Deism Overview

• Definition: Belief in a creator who does not intervene in the universe.

• Core Ideas: Rejection of organized religion, emphasis on reason and observation of the natural world.

• Popular During: Enlightenment era.

• Key Figures: Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin.

Thomas Jefferson - Religion & Deism

• Beliefs:

  • Advocated for reason, science, and personal conscience over traditional religion.

  • Rejected supernatural aspects of Christianity (miracles, divine revelation).

• Quote: “I am a real Christian…in the only sense in which [Jesus] wished anyone to be.”

• Legacy: Promoted religious liberty and separation of church and state.

The Jefferson Bible

A religious text compiled by Thomas Jefferson, consisting of excerpts from the New Testament that reflect his moral philosophy, removing miracles and supernatural elements. It emphasizes Jesus' teachings on ethics and morality.

Jefferson vs. Christian Nationalism

• Modern Misuse: Some Christian nationalists misrepresent Jefferson as supporting a Christian-run government.

• Reality: Jefferson was a deist who emphasized religious freedom, personal belief, and the separation of church and state.

• Belief Quote: “Religion is a concern between our god and our consciences…”

Thomas Paine

• Key Work: Age of Reason.

• Beliefs:

  • Believed Christianity was an obstacle to reason and progress.

  • Rejected organized religion and supernatural doctrines.

  • Viewed himself as a fighter against superstition and fear.

• Quote: “My own mind is my own church.”

• Legacy: Most iconoclastic of American deists; model of the free-thinking infidel.

George Washington & Religious Imagery

• Public Image: Viewed as a near-mythical Founding Father; often romanticized.

• 2023 Event: Christian nonprofit WallBuilders attempted a D.C. bus ad showing Washington praying at Valley Forge, implying Christian founding.

  • Ad text: “Christian? To find out about the faith of our founders, go to WallBuilders.com”

• WallBuilders' Claim: Founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation, not a secular one.

• Surprise Legal Support: ACLU defended WallBuilders’ right to post the ad.

• Washington’s Faith:

  • Devout Anglican but very private about his religious life.

  • Known for personal devotions (reported by his nephew).

  • Stopped taking communion after becoming head of the Continental Army.

  • Criticized by clergy for leaving services before communion.

🏛 Founding Era & Constitution (Late 1700s–Early 1800s)

• Jefferson's Candidacy (1800): Federalist clergy opposed Jefferson due to his doubts about Christian doctrines (Trinity, resurrection, Bible). Called him a "manifest enemy to the religion of Christ."

• Secular Constitution Criticism:

  • Samuel Wylie (1803): Criticized the Constitution for not acknowledging God.

  • Samuel Austin (1811): Called the government "unchristian" due to its secular foundation.

  • Timothy Dwight (1813): Linked the War of 1812 to the Constitution’s failure to mention God.

• Takeaway: Founders’ secularism was widely acknowledged—even by critics. Most didn’t believe the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation.

⚖ Civil War Era & Sectional Interpretations of Religion (Mid 1800s)

• Whigs & Morality: Advocated for Protestant moral values (no slavery, temperance, Sabbath observance).

• God in the War:

  • North: Union = covenant with God.

  • South: Confederate Constitution mentioned God; slavery seen as divinely ordained.

• Post-War Petition: Northern clergy pushed for a constitutional amendment to declare the U.S. a Christian nation.

🕊 Civil Rights Era (1950s–60s)

• MLK & Mainline Protestants: Worked to preserve Judeo-Christian values through civil rights.

• Billy Graham: Opposed school integration and interracial marriage.

• White Evangelical Reaction: Post–civil rights movement, joined Republican Party to oppose abortion, feminism, LGBTQ rights.

📅 1950s as "Golden Age" for Christian Nationalists

• Evangelicals held power and influence.

• Resistance to Brown v. Board (1954) led to rise of private Christian schools to avoid integration.

• 70% of white evangelicals believe U.S. worsened since the 1950s (vs. minorities/unaffiliated who see improvement).

🔄 Cultural Change & Backlash (1960s–70s)

• 1960s counterculture: Challenged Christian values—feminism, rock music, drugs, sex.

• Engel v. Vitale (1962): Outlawed school prayer.

• Abington v. Schempp (1963): Banned Bible reading in schools.

⚖ Legal Flashpoints in the 1970s

• Coit v. Green (1971): Tax exemption denied to racially discriminatory schools.

• Bob Jones University: Controversy over interracial dating and tax status.

• Roe v. Wade (1973): Mobilized evangelical Christians against abortion.

• Before 1973, abortion mainly a Catholic issue; post-1973, became a central evangelical concern.

🗳 Rise of the Religious Right (Late 1970s–1980s)

• Jimmy Carter (1976): Evangelicals initially supportive, later disappointed.

• 1980 Election: Religious Right supported Reagan.

• Movement focused on:

  • Biblical values

  • Pro-life stances

  • Creationism

  • Christian heritage

Christian Nationalism, Founding Documents, and Trump

• Founding Documents: Terms like “Creator” and “Divine Providence” in the Declaration of Independence are deist, not explicitly Christian or biblical.

• Deism: Many Founding Fathers were Deists, believing in a distant, non-intervening creator—not the Christian God.

• Trump’s 2016 Campaign:

  • Appealed to Christian nationalism repeatedly.

  • Liberty University (2016): Misquoted “2 Corinthians” → pivoted to “protect Christianity.”

  • Claimed Christians were persecuted globally and in America.

  • Stated “There is an assault on Christianity…” at Oral Roberts University.

  • Invoked “Christian heritage” to “lift the soul of the nation.”

  • Claimed the Johnson Amendment attacked Christians’ speech rights.

• Supporters' Claims:

  • Eric Metaxas: A Clinton win would bring guilt from God.

  • James Dobson: Clinton presidency = end of religious liberty, catastrophic court rulings (e.g., Roe v. Wade).

• Trump’s Presidency (2016 & 2024):

  • Reinforced the Christian nation myth.

  • 2025: Created White House Faith Office to fund faith groups and promote “religious liberty.”

  • Claimed Biden “persecuted peaceful Christians,” and praised pro-life activists.

  • Website quote: “We will not forget our God.”

• Favoritism & Power Structure:

  • 2025 White House shows preference for Christianity.

  • Abortion as a Christian nationalist issue (roots in 1970s activism).

  • Anti-Christian Bias Task Force formed.

  • Close Christian nationalist allies: VP JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson.

  • Trump at National Prayer Breakfast: “bring religion back – stronger, bigger, better…”