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2019-04-09 2019-04-09

The Founding Faith Archive

Early documents on religious freedom and the spiritual beliefs of the Founding Fathers.

Authors

Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
George Washington
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Patrick Henry
Isaac Backus

Topics

Adams-Jefferson Letters
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts Court
General Assessment
Washington's Religious Beliefs
Massachusetts Bay
Patriots
Taxpayer Support Of Religion
US Government
Establishments
Early Christianity
Anne Hutchinson
Presidential Addresses
Corruption Of Christianity
Christian Nation
Religious Tyranny
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Congregational

See all authors and topics

Founding Faith

“If asked to recommend the best book on this controversial topic, I would choose Founding Faith.”

- Joseph Ellis, author of American CreationFounding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America

Vermont Constitution of 1786

By 1786, states were beginning to give up the stated preference for Christianity. Vermont here provides full freedom of religion...

Delaware Constitution of 1776

Article 22 of the Constitution required officeholders to swear belief in the Trinity and the "divine inspiration" of the Bible.

Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

During the War of Independence, the Continental Congress approved several proclamations of prayer. At this point, the proclamations...

Notes on the State of Virginia

Jefferson wrote this book in 1781 and 1782. His section on religion catalogued the penalties against "heresy," and also included...

Drafts of the First Amendment in Congress

The First Amendment didn't go from James Madison's pen straight to the National Archives. It was the product of legislative wrangling...

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