Today, one of the biggest myths about our nation’s heritage is that the Founding Fathers were deists. Deism was a philosophy that mainly originated during the 1600s (the Age of Reason). It was heavily influenced John Locke’s Watchmaker Theory. This theory supposed that there was a Cosmic Power that created the world. This Cosmic Power then set forth certain natural laws to govern the world and became no longer involved in the world: much like a watchmaker who makes a watch, winds it up and lets it run by itself.
Deists believed in Intelligent Design, that is, the creation of the universe by a divine, intelligent power, but they did not believe in salvation or the deity of Christ. Today, it is commonly claimed that the Founding Fathers were deists. However, let us see what the Founding Fathers themselves wrote about Christ Jesus and religion.
“You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.” -George Washington
“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.” -Thomas Jefferson
“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.” -Benjamin Franklin
“My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ” -John Quincy Adams
These are just a few of many of the founder’s writings that indicate their love for Christ and their desire to see his fame grow. Surely the great myth that the founding fathers were deists at best is just that–a myth.
Quotes found on wallbuilders.com