As a historian, I am dismayed by the letters I see that proclaim that America was founded as a Christian nation. “America is not a Christian nation but rather a nation of mostly Christians. That was the intent of the Founders, to allow each of us the right under natural law, to decide matters of conscience for ourselves.” A new form of revisionism? [metafilter.com]
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The Pilgrims arrived here in order that they might build a Protestant nation. Any historian should know this – it is clear in the Pilgrims's own diaries and documents.
And please read this, from the Washington Times:
George Washington proclaimed an official, government-mandated Thanksgiving in 1789, and it had nothing to do with turkeys, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes with or without the marshmallow topping. His countrymen should be grateful because "it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor."
Thomas Jefferson, not exactly a Bible-thumper, nevertheless spoke of his "need" for "the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries and comforts of life."
Andrew Jackson proclaimed his "firm reliance on the goodness of that Power whose providence mercifully protected our national infancy." Abraham Lincoln got down to specifics that would have given both CAIR and the ACLU heartburn, calling on "intelligence, patriotism, Christianity and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land." When Teddy Roosevelt finished his oath of office, he leaned forward, took the Bible in his hands and kissed it, and said: "No people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness of our own strength." Franklin D. Roosevelt, concluding a meeting with Winston Churchill on the deck of an American destroyer on the eve of World War II, even asked the assembled crew to join him in a chorus of "Onward, Christian Soldiers." Not exactly deference to the faithless.
Wesley Pruden is editor in chief of The Times and wrote this piece.