Why do Christian nationalists insist the U.S. was founded as a “Christian” nation? [FN1] Facts do not support their claim. [FN2] The founding documents, few in number [FN3] do not help. [FN4] Neither “God” nor Jesus Christ appears in The Constitution, but “religion” is mentioned: 5/15

“no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public trust...” [FN5] The document came from a convention in which each day’s business did not begin w/prayer. [FN6] A country so deeply committed to being a Christian nation, one may reasonably infer, would 6/15

have advocates for ratifying The Constitution pitching Christianity as being in that document. The Federalist [FN7], however, makes no mention of “Jesus Christ.” Religion is mentioned as having divided people into parties [FN8] & is not a bar for eligibility in the House. [FN9] [FN10] 7/15

We know why Christian nationalists insist this country was founded as Christian.
1) They’ve said why. Sean Feucht has said this country was founded as “Christian” for the benefit of Christians. To that end, his brand of “Christians” should write the laws. [FN11] 8/15

2) They view themselves as superior. One elected public official has gone so far as to say only “Christians” have the capacity to be moral. [FN12]
3) They want power. To take and keep that power they benefit from some people believing their “God” supports them in this take-over. 9/15

To combine a form of Calvinism w/beliefs “God” will forgive all their sins is dangerous: they can sin, be forgiven and since some. Their agenda includes taking back the protections for women, Black people and all people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and all other marginalized groups. 10/15

Christian nationalists are not, in any conceivable way “Christian” as friends of mine & others view their faith. I prefer to call them “Chrtistofascists.” Tomorrow I’ll return to discussion of State ratification conventions. 11/15

Footnotes:
FN1. E.g., Sean Feucht, ran for U.S. House in 2020 & did a 2023 “Kingdom to the Capitol” tour believes the U.S. is founded as, and for the benefit of Christians. Tim Dickinson, “AGA Pastor Says Christians Must ‘Be the Ones Writing the Laws,’” Rolling Stone, 4/21/23. 8/15

FN2. E.g., IN’s Lt Gov says: “America was absolutely founded on Christian values. You have to be ignorant to think otherwise. The writings of our Framers and the founding documents are very clear on that.” 9/15

FN3. Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. “Charters of Freedom,” Nat’l Archives, accessed 5/31/25. Congress adds The Federalist, 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton & Jay, & publ’d betw 1787 & 1788 (to advocate ratification). 10/15

FN4. The Declaration’s references to a deity are consistent with deism. See, Holmes, David L., “The Faiths of the Founding Fathers,” (2006 ed) pp. 46-47.
FN5. Const. Art VI, para 3. 11/15

FN6. In June, Benjamin Franklin proposed they begin sessions with “a prayer. [Roger] Sherman seconded the motion. But nobody else was interested, and the idea was dropped.” Collier, Christopher, and James Lincoln Collier, “Decision in Philadelphia,” 2007, p. 162. 12/15

FN7. See, FN3.
FN8. The Federalist, No 10, James Madison.
FN9. Id., No 52: “the House of Representatives will be comprised of members “from any particular profession of religious faith.” 13/15

FN10. One rather odd passage is credited to Hamilton and Madison: “let our gratitude mingle an ejaculation to Heaven for the propitious concord which has distinguished the consultations for our political happiness.” The Federalist, No. 20. 14/15

FN11. Id., FN1.
FN12. In a 10/24/19 selfie video titled “The Church’s role in politics,” IN Lt Gov Beckwith says “the church” provides the morality America was founded on and that you cannot be moral if you are a “Hindu, an atheist or a Jew.” 15/15