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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

Anne Hutchinson
Religious Tolerance
Rhode Island
James Monroe
Great Britian
Madison's Religious Beliefs
Establishments
Pluralism
Baptists
Church Of England
Bill Of Rights
Presbyterians
Jefferson'S Religious Beliefs
American Independence
Declaration Of Independence
Charles Pinkney
Jews
Catholic Church
U.S. Constitution
Massachusetts

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

Delaware Constitution of 1776

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

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson

Though praising Christianity, Adams also finds much that he likes in Eastern religions. Joseph Priestley was a leading scientist...

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams

Unlike Madison and Jefferson, Adams for many years believed that taxpayer support of religion - the approach taken in New England...

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Smith

In his later years, Jefferson offers his religious and moral creed to the son of a friend.

Diary of John Adams February 21 1765

Found in his diary, this was a draft of a longer essay on cannon and feudal law.

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