For everybody out there keeping score cards, we have moved to State ratification Conventions. A review of the first three (DE, PA, NJ) shows zero, zip and nada credible support for “Christian” nationalists’ assertion that the USA was founded as a “Christian” country. 1/13

Georgia was the 4th State to ratify. [FN125] Its object in 1732 included “open an asylum for the persecuted Protestants in Europe [and] in common with all the other colonies, to attempt the conversion and civilization of the natives.” Liberty of conscience was allowed to all 2/13

inhabitants in the worship of God, and a free exercise of religion to all persons except Papists.” [FN126] This changed. [FN127] Georgia’s journal “consists of little more than the bare proceedings for each day and a list of the delegates in attendance each day.” [FN128] 3/13

Georgia’s notice of ratification uses “in the year of our Lord” for one of four dates, w/the other three dates bare of any phrase. [FN129]
Connecticut, the 5th State to ratify, [FN130] had two dates followed by “A.D.” and one followed by “Anno Domini” on its notice. [FN131] 4/13

One delegate commented [FN132] on the proscription of religious oaths as a “direct appeal to that God who is the avenger of perjury ... any such test would be exceedingly injurious to the rights of free citizens.” [FN133] No one mentioned the USA being “Christian.” 5/13

Massachusetts, the 6th State to ratify, [FN134] had more records of the debates during its convention. Delegate Singletary was concerned that “there was no provision that men in power should have any religion (sic); and though he hoped to see Christians 6/13

yet, by the Constitution, a Papist or an Infidel were as eligible as they .. and [they] were giving great power to-we know not whom.” [FN135] Later, Rev Mr Shute noted: “Upon the plan of a religious test, the question ... must be, Who shall be excluded from national trusts? 7/13

Whatever answer bigotry may suggest, the dictates of candor and equity, I conceive, will be None (sic)” [FN136] No one responded to concerns about the absence of religion in the Constitution by saying “Of course there is - we’ve created a Christian nation.” 8/13

Footnotes:
FN125. Constitution of the United States, “Adoption of Constitution,” West’s Annotated Indiana Code, Constitution,” (1999), p. 29; 1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 323-24.
FN126. Ante-Revolutionary War History,1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 41. 9/13

FN127. 1777 State const’n disestablished Anglican church/guar’d freedom of religion. The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, Vol III,” (1978), pp. 203-04.
FN128. Teaching American History, “The Georgia Ratifying Convention Meets,” accessed 8/25/26. 10/13

FN129.1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 41-42.
FN130. Constitution of the United States, “Adoption of Constitution,” West’s Annotated Indiana Code, Constitution,” (1999), p. 29; 1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 321-22.
FN131. Id., pp. 131-32. 11/13

FN132. “Fragment of the Debates of the Convention of the State of Connecticut,” 2 Elliot’s Debates, p. 185.
FN133. Id., p. 201.
FN134. Constitution of the United States, “Adoption of Constitution,” West’s Annotated Indiana Code, Constitution,” (1999), p. 29; 1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 322-23. 12/13

FN135. “Debates of the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” 2 Elliot’s Debates, p. 44.
FN136. Id., p. 119. . 13/13