Christianity by David Barton

Those documents completely disprove the notion that any founding President, especially Washington, ever declared that America was not a Christian nation or people. Chapter 16 will provide numerous additional current examples of historical revisionism. Consider next the quote attributed to Thomas Paine:

“I disbelieve all holy men and holy books.” Is the accuracy of this quote any better than the previous ones imputed to Adams and Washington? In this case, the answer is probably yes that is, while we were unable to locate this specific statement by Paine, it is certainly of a tone similar to several others he made in his Age of Reason and other writings which attacked religion generally and Christianity specifically. However, the real story is not the accuracy of Paine’s quote, but rather how the other Founders reacted to Paine’s declarations. Consider first Benjamin Franklin’s response. Paine sent a copy of his thoughts on religion to Franklin, seeking his response.

Notice Franklin’s strong and succinct reply, and keep in mind that those on all sides of the religion question would concede Franklin to be one of the least religious Founders:

I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear His displeasure, or to pray for His protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion that the consequence of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium hate drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits into the wind spits in his own face.

But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? Think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue. I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person. If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it.