What's Happening?
As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial, a re-evaluation of the American founding is underway, particularly concerning the role of religious faith and freedom. According to J. Daryl Charles, a cultural historian, there has been a historical
tendency in American scholarship to overlook or downplay the significant influence of religion on the founders' thought processes. This neglect is attributed to the increasing secularization of American society over the past 125 years. While some scholarship acknowledges the diversity of religious beliefs among the founders (e.g., orthodox vs. heterodox, deist vs. Christian), it often fails to recognize the profound impact these beliefs had on the political culture and the safeguarding of institutions designed to protect religious freedom. Scholars like Daniel L. Dreisbach, Mark David Hall, and Jeffry H. Morrison are working to reframe this narrative, highlighting the substantial role of Christian faith in the founding generation. This reframing does not assert that America was or is a 'Christian nation,' but rather emphasizes the undeniable influence of Christian conviction in 17th and 18th-century colonial thought. The founders' understanding of religious liberty, rooted in Judeo-Christian assumptions about freedom of conscience, is seen as a unique aspect of the American experiment, distinguishing it from other worldviews.
Why It's Important?
The re-examination of religious freedom's foundational role is crucial for understanding the core principles of American governance and society. The historical tendency to minimize religion's influence has led to a misinterpretation of the founders' intentions regarding the separation of church and state. The First Amendment's clauses on disestablishment and free exercise of religion, while often interpreted as a 'high and impregnable wall' of separation in the 20th century, were not intended by the founders to exclude religion from public and political life. Instead, the founders, despite their disagreements on the exact relationship between church and state, shared a consensual view that moral foundations, often derived from religious beliefs, were indispensable for a healthy republic. Concepts like 'laws of nature,' 'self-evident truths,' 'unalienable rights,' and 'endowment by the Creator' were not mere theoretical constructs but expressed metaphysical realities essential for an ordered society. This perspective highlights that religion was considered foundational to the American experiment, with the Continental Congress stating that 'true religion and good morals are the only foundation of public liberty and happiness.' Understanding this original intent is vital for contemporary debates on religious freedom, public policy, and the ongoing balance between religious expression and governmental neutrality.
What's Next?
The ongoing semiquincentennial commemoration provides a significant opportunity for a deeper national reflection on the foundational principles of the United States, particularly concerning religious freedom. This period will likely see continued academic discourse and public engagement aimed at recovering a more accurate historical understanding of the founders' perspectives on religion and its role in public life. This re-evaluation could influence how legal and political discussions around the First Amendment are framed, potentially shifting interpretations of the 'separation of church and state' from a strict exclusionist view to one that acknowledges the historical and philosophical underpinnings of religious liberty. Major stakeholders, including political leaders, educational institutions, and civil society groups, may engage in initiatives to educate the public on these historical nuances. The goal is to foster a more informed understanding of the American experiment, recognizing the complex interplay between religious belief, moral order, and the establishment of a self-governed people. This could lead to a renewed emphasis on the importance of moral truths and civic virtue, which the founders considered indispensable for the survival of the republic.
Beyond the Headlines
The deeper implications of re-evaluating religious freedom's role in the American founding extend to the very fabric of American identity and its future. The founders' understanding of religious freedom was rooted in a 'moral realism' that acknowledged both human dignity and depravity, leading them to design a system that prevented the concentration of power and emphasized the necessity of virtue for a 'civil' society. This perspective suggests that a democratic republic cannot survive without virtuous and self-governed citizens. The concept of 'tolerance' in the 18th century, understood as a political virtue contributing to the common good, differed from modern interpretations that might equate it with believing all propositions are equally true. This historical context highlights a potential long-term shift in societal values, where the acknowledgment of objective moral truths, once considered foundational, may be eroding. The founders' wisdom in affirming both disestablishment and free exercise of religion, defying centuries of European church-state models, created a unique framework. A more accurate metaphor for 'separation' might be a 'fence' rather than an 'impregnable wall,' facilitating interaction rather than absolute exclusion. This nuanced understanding is critical for addressing contemporary challenges to religious freedom, both domestically and globally, and for ensuring the continued health and vibrancy of the American polity.
