The framers were mostly deist. Most saw Jesus as a wise man, but they didn't buy into any sort of divine revelations or miracles or magic or prophesy. Not the messiah, not the son of god. Just a very wise man.
Above all, they were pragmatist. Wisdom is only as useful as its application. They also believed that no god controlled the destiny of men, so it was their duty to control their own destiny. They were excellent examples of Enlightened men.
That's not to say America wasn't founded as a Christian nation. Most people were Christian, and the religion was the most in harmony with ideals of the Enlightenment.
They were rational. Sometimes it's rational to pray in public. That's for a Christian public's benefit and resolve, not some belief in divine intervention. Don't confuse Reason with Marxism. Terrible mistake that a lot of Christians, especially the Evangelical Zionist camp, tend to make.
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as it probably has, of making his doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any particular marks of his displeasure.
The framers were mostly deist. Most saw Jesus as a wise man, but they didn't buy into any sort of divine revelations or miracles or magic or prophesy. Not the messiah, not the son of god. Just a very wise man.
Above all, they were pragmatist. Wisdom is only as useful as its application. They also believed that no god controlled the destiny of men, so it was their duty to control their own destiny. They were excellent examples of Enlightened men.
That's not to say America wasn't founded as a Christian nation. Most people were Christian, and the religion was the most in harmony with ideals of the Enlightenment.
They were rational. Sometimes it's rational to pray in public. That's for a Christian public's benefit and resolve, not some belief in divine intervention. Don't confuse Reason with Marxism. Terrible mistake that a lot of Christians, especially the Evangelical Zionist camp, tend to make.
Well, on that we can agree.
-Benjamin Franklin