Living Word Bible Study Faithful Politics – The American Experiment Question: –Was America at the time of the Revolution a “Christian Nation”? –Religion was pluralistic Many Christian denominations Regional strengths and established churches –The Enlightenment had affected the Church Turn away from supernaturalism and revealed religion toward reason Focus on the Watchmaker God of Deism and Human Progress –Religion was profoundly changed by the First Great Awakening Old light v. new light Revolutionary spirit was helped by these changes

Living Word Bible Study Faithful Politics – The American Experiment Question: –Where the Founding Fathers Closet Atheists, or “Apostles in Knee- Britches?” –Many were Enlightenment Deists, many were believing Christians, only a few where hostile to the Christian faith or religion. –Almost all held fairly traditional views on the role of religion in society. –Believed in a Creator who was intimately involved in the history of mankind and had guided the creation of America. –They thought the fundamental rights of mankind were rooted in their Creator. –They believed religion and general and the Christian religion in particular were indispensable to the creation and maintenance of a just and moral society. –They believed that religion must retain a prominent role in society. –They believed all men should be free to express and practice their faith without compulsion or interference from the government.

Living Word Bible Study Faithful Politics – The American Experiment Question: –Does the Constitution mandate a “Wall of Separation” between church and state? Religion clause of the First Amendment. –“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Point one –No religion or denomination will be established, I.e. made the official preferred religion, be aided financially or legislatively. Point two –Congress cannot limit the free exercise of any religion. Conclusion – Government will be neutral in the case of religion –If there is a wall of separation it is one way. This never says religions cannot attempt to affect society or government. – It prevents Government intrusion into religion not, religious intrusion into Government.

Living Word Bible Study Faithful Politics – The American Experiment Question: –Did this neutrality toward religion on the part of government help or hurt religion in America? Faith has been on the decline in Western Europe for centuries. In most measurable ways, America is as religious or more religious than ever.