In June 1788, 3 States (VA, NY, NC) that had sent delegates to Philadelphia had not ratified the Constitution. Virginia had early ties to religion: “the Church of England seem[ed] to have maintained an exclusive supremacy” until the American Revolution. [FN163] Its 1776 1/18

Constitution recognized religion as “the duty which we owe to our CREATOR,” a term that is of deism. [FN164] Also: “all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian...2/18

forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.” [FN165] Failure to fulfill that “mutual duty” has no punishment. The values that are characterized as “Christian” are not stated as part of any government structure. Virginia’s convention began on June 2, 1788. [FN166] 3/18

Had a theocracy been created, there is no such mention. Governor Randolph had served as a delegate to Philadelphia [FN167] & noted that Congressmen, members “of the state legislatures, and executive and judicial officers, are bound, by oath or affirmation, to support 4/18

this Constitution.... It puts all sects on the same footing.” With so many sects in the United States that they “will prevent the establishment of any one sect ... If such an attempt be made, will not the alarm be sounded throughout America?” [FN168] No one objected that 5/18

“the ‘Christian’ government of Virginia will end.” In its notice, Virginia states: “essential rights” including “liberty of conscience” cannot be cancelled, abridged, restrained, or modified.” Virginia ratified on 6/26/1788, w/o reference to “year of our” lord. [FN169] 6/18

New York’s Ante-Revolutionary War history makes no mention of religion. [FN170] In its 1777 Constitution, while there is no mention of “Christianity” as part of New York’s government, on the subject of matters related to religion, mentions are hardly favorable. The only oath 7/18

mentioned is one of allegiance to the State. [FN171] Any laws “construed to establish or maintain any particular denomination of Christians or their ministers are repugnant to this constitution, be, and they hereby are, abrogated & rejected.” [FN172] Liberty of 8/18

conscience is granted. [FN173] “[N]o minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination whatsoever, shall, at any time hereafter, under any pretence or description whatever, be eligible to, or capable of holding, any civil or military office or place within this State.” [FN174] 9/18

In debates, no mention is made of a “Christian” country either being created by or existing prior to the Constitution. John Jay, to whom a quotation has been falsely attributed, [FN175] never mentions religion. [FN176] Its notice of ratification DOES mention religion: 10/18

“That the people have an equal, natural and unalienable right freely and peacefully to exercise their religion, according to the dictates of conscience, and that no religious sect or society ought to be favored or established by law in preference to others.” [FN177] 11/18

Next up: in North Carolina, matters do not improve for those claiming ours is a “Christian” nation. 12/18

Footnotes:
FN163. Virginia, “Sketch of Ante-Revolutionary History,” 1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 23-25. 13/18

FN164. “Nature’s God,” “Creator,” “Supreme Judge of the World,” & “divine Providence” See, David Holmes, Prof. Religious Studies, College of William and Mary, “The Faiths of The Founding Fathers,” Oxford Univ Press, 2006, p. 65. 14/18

FN165. Library of Virginia, Constitution, 1776, accessed 8/31/26.
FN166. 3 Elliot’s Debates, p. 1.
FN167. 1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 132-33.
FN168. 3 Elliot’s Debates, p. 204.
FN169. 1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 327.
FN170. Id., p. 35. 15/18

FN171. New York Constitution, 1777, Art. VIII.
FN172. Id., Art. XXXV.
FN173. Id., XXXVIII.
FN174. Id., XXXIX. 16/18

FN175. IN Lt Gov Beckwith, in 2023, “quoted” a 10/12/1816 letter by John Jay: “Providence (God) has given to our people the choice of their ruler, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” 17/18

FN176. See, 2 Elliot’s Debates at pp. 284-286, 326-327, 380-81. 18/18