The Declaration of Independence

by Keith Cooper

From Broader View Weekly, July 4, 2008

As we remember the birth of our nation, there is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating one’s faith, worshipping God and giving thanks for His grace and mercy. And there is little doubt that religion played an important role at the birth of our nation. My fellow columnist makes some presumptions that are commonly used to support the view that the United States of America was formed as a Christian nation. I agree that it is very important to view the penning of the Declaration of Independence within its context. However, I draw a different conclusion from the contextual circumstance.

The language of the document reflects a couple of factors that made religious overtones politically and technically expedient.

State governments at the time were largely structured around the religious identity of the state. Though some of them were influenced by deism and enlightenment voices, many of the contributors to the declaration were highly religious and nearly all of the major players came from a religious background. Any document that sought broad approval would have to give at least a nod to religion. In the colonies Christianity (and specifically Protestantism) was most common. Political pressure was incredible to maintain at least the appearance of strong faith.

While economic interests and personal liberties are commonly given as the causes of the Revolution, religious freedom was a concern of early revolutionary figures. The power and reach of the Anglican and Catholic churches was a source of much of the dissatisfaction with colonial rule. Since the church had so much influence in state government, when England imposed its own clergy on the colonies, the threat of increased control was of high concern. The desire for religious freedom began to weaken the binds of state-imposed religion and fueled rebellion.

The question of legality also required a use of religious language. Because the declaration set out to prove that the laws of Britain did not apply, another standard had to be held up. If the rights of mankind were not provided by man’s law, a higher law must be appealed to. Thomas Jefferson maintained that Nature’s law was a sufficient standard. Neither a Supreme Judge nor Divine Providence was included in the first draft he wrote. Those terms were added (probably by committee) during the final authoring process.

As a matter of fact, very little of the document mentions things religious at all. The thrust of the declaration is to make a case for independence from British rule and list the grievances against King George III. The religious tone appears to add legitimacy and authority.

The fact that those on the religious right often cling to the Declaration of Independence as proof that the founders sought to build a Christian nation has ominous implications. It is a short distance between this assertion and establishing a theocracy. The motivation for focusing on the founders’ faith is to base legislation on biblical law and eliminate the separation between church and state.

Fortunately, religious freedom was a priority with our early legislators. Colonial leaders knew from experience the dangers of state-imposed religion. Members of the constitutional convention sought to include a separation of church and state into the original iteration of our Constitution. The diversity of denominations to which members of the convention subscribed, brought the issue of tolerance and religious freedom to the forefront. It also made consensus on matters of religion difficult. Though a proposal to prevent establishment of a state religion was voted down, language to prohibit a religious litmus test for elected officials was included in the Constitution.

When the first Congress met, religious freedom was a high priority. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights shows the importance of that freedom by leading off with a provision for the separation of church and state.

While it is true that many of the founders were men of faith, presuming they meant to establish a Christian nation is an oversimplification. Many of the founders were deists or subscribers to Enlightenment ideals. Some, like Thomas Jefferson, mixed science, intellect and religion to answer philosophical questions. Though many preferred restrictions on which religions could be practiced, or thought that worship should be mandatory, others stressed the importance of religious tolerance.

As we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we can easily see the religious climate in which it was penned. But it is important to look at the other influences that surrounded it as well. It is also important to consider that when the laws that govern the nation were formed, the protection of religious liberty was essential to preserving the unalienable rights with which we are all endowed.