In recent weeks, some GOP officials have called for government policies that would discriminate against non-”Christian nationalists.” Without the premise, that our country was founded as (their kind of) “Christian,” their claims collapse. The following blogs show our history. 1/10

The Articles of Confederation had been the charter of government for 13 former colonies of the British empire since 11/15/1777. [FN16] The Revolutionary war formally ended with the Treaty of Paris on 9/3/1783. [FN17] The Articles did not function well in peace. 2/10

Defects in the Articles were significant. On 11/30/1785, James Madison presented resolution, for Congress to regulate trade in Virginia’s legislature. [FN18]; on 1/21/1786, Virginia named 8 representatives to meet representatives from other States to discuss trade. [FN19] 3/10

The 12 “commissioners” from five (5) States met in Annapolis on 9/11/1786 and issued a report on 9/14/1786 concluding that “regulating trade is of such comprehensive extent” that “may require a correspondent adjustment of other parts of the federal system.” [FN20] 4/10

This report led to the Congress, on 2/21/1787, to authorize the May, 1787, gathering of delegates in Philadelphia in what we refer to as the Constitutional Convention. “For the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.” [FN21] It is important to note: 5/10

Despite assertions by Christian nationalists that this country was founded as “Christian,” none of the records just cited mentions Jesus Christ. No one invokes a divine spirit for guidance. “In the year of our [l]ord” has no specific religious meaning. [FN22] Next up: Philadelphia. 6/10

Footnotes:
FN16. Articles of Confederation, West’s Annotated Indiana Code, Constitution,” (1999), p. 17.
FN17. Nat’l Archives, Founders Online, “Definitive Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain, 3 September 1783,” signed by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay for the United States. Accessed 6/19/25. 7/10

FN18. Mr Madison’s Resolution for Empowering Congress to Regulate Trade, Virginia House of Delegates, 1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 114-15.
FN19. Reps from States “to consider ... uniform system in commercial regulations” for “common interest [&] permanent harmony;” Proposition of the General Assembly of Virginia, Id. Pp. 115-16. 8/10

FN20. Proceedings of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government, Id., pp. 116-18.
FN21. Report of Proceedings, pp. 119-20. 9/10

FN22. The official Constitution’s text ends before these extra words of attestation that were not ratified by the state conventions in 1787-88. Akhil Reed Amar, professor, Yale School of Law, “The Constitution and the Candidates///” The Daily Beast, 8/19/12. 10/10