The Christian Doctrine Paradox

“And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9; NAS)

People tend to throw the word around very loosely. “Christian”. Knowing the history of the church dating back to the times of the apostles, and how the church has fractured into so many different sects, it should be no surprise to learn the American architects did not see eye to eye regarding religious matters. It may even come as a shock to learn a good portion of the founders were not practicing Christians at all.

Several of these men ascribed only to deism.They believed in “God”, based on the rational thoughts of man, or “reason”, as well as the physical evidence presented in creation supporting intelligent design. They also believed God (whoever God is) would have no direct interaction with mankind on His own divine accord. Therefore, the deists collectively believe Jesus and his pacifist attitude toward tyrants is not to be trusted. To the deist, Jesus is not an authority from God.

It is a little-known fact that the people who drafted the Constitution of the United States of America were deists. Since this is in fact the truth, why do the TV and radio pulpiteers patently state the opposite when addressing their Christian financial supporters?

Drawing from the scientific and philosophical work of such figures as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Isaac Newton, and John Locke, Deists argued that human experience and rationality—rather than religious dogma and mystery— determine the validity of human beliefs. In his widely read The Age of Reason, Thomas Paine, the principal American exponent of Deism, called Christianity “a fable.” Paine, the protégé of Benjamin Franklin, denied “that the Almighty ever did communicate anything to man, by…speech,…language, or…vision.” Postulating a distant deity whom he called “Nature’s God” (a term also used in the Declaration of Independence), Paine declared in a “profession of faith”:

“I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and in endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.”

Thus, Deism inevitably subverted orthodox Christianity. Persons influenced by the movement had little reason to read the Bible, to pray, to attend church, or to participate in such rites as baptism, Holy Communion, and the laying on of hands (confirmation) by bishops.

…Deistic thought was immensely popular in colleges from the middle of the 18th into the 19th century. Thus, it influenced many educated (as well as uneducated) males of the Revolutionary generation. Although such men would generally continue their public affiliation with Christianity after college, they might inwardly hold unorthodox religious views. Depending on the extent to which Americans of Christian background were influenced by Deism, their religious beliefs would fall into three categories: non-Christian Deism, Christian Deism, and orthodox Christianity.¹⁰

Such men of deistic faith would include our beloved George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, to name a few. The names people remember most from history. The names that overshadow outspoken Christians such as Benjamin Rush. The same names so often cited by right-wing evangelical Christian radio and television. It is these men who openly denied Christ, particularly when other members of the delegation made attempts to include Christ’s name in their new government. If the Constitution of the United States of America was at all inspired by the virtues from bible believing Christians, they will forever be overshadowed by the persuasive strength and influence of the deistic faith of our waring forefathers.

Below are a few facts likely not known by many God fearing Christians. Feel free to research this information for yourself online, or at your local library.

We could begin with the infamous story of George Washington’s cherry tree. Did Washington at the age of six receive a hatchet as a present? Did he then in fact damage his father’s cherry tree with said hatched? Did he then confess to doing so at the behest of his father’s anger only to say, “I cannot tell a lie, Dad. I did cut the tree with my hatched”? As the story goes, young George’s dad was so thrilled with the boy’s admission that he said, “George’s honesty is worth more than a thousand trees.”

The guy who created the myth, Mason Locke Seems, was a Federalist admirer of order and self-discipline who wanted to present Washington as the perfect role model, especially for young Americans. When Washington died, many people wanted to know his story outside of his
Revolutionary War/Presidential life. The author decided to create the myth to play into Washington’s unwritten childhood and relationship with his father. He wanted to imply that Washington’s public greatness was due to his private virtues. Ironically, he told lies in order to create a myth that served to illustrate the importance of telling the truth.¹¹

If you spend any time researching this information, you will also find the truth. The cherry tree story is a disingenuous myth created by the Anglican pastor, author, and bookseller; Parson Weems.

As Christians, we should ask ourselves, what human is incapable of lying? What man has perfect morals? How and why did this perfect man become the leader of a bloody revolutionary army? And why was this odd fable told to us in our infant years at grammar school?

Years after the war,Washington’s pastor in Pennsylvania would write that he never held Christian beliefs, but that he was instead heavily influenced by deism. All the while still a member of the church in Pennsylvania. There is no difference between the attitude of George Washington and the politicians of today who “play the part” for political gain with their constituents.

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And much, much more.

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10) https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214
11) https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAmerican/comments/pvvzt9/what_is_the_deal_with_george_washington_and_the/?rdt=59745

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