Michael Phillips

There were some states that objected to this notion. The state governments of Connecticut and Massachusetts, for instance, initially interpreted the First Amendment as meaning only Congress could not establish religion, but states could. Citizens of those two states paid taxes that supported the Congregationalist Church, respectively, until 1818 and 1833.

For decades, some states had so-called, quote, Jew laws that prohibited non-Christians from holding office or had similar bans on Catholics. Such laws were the exception, however, and fell by the wayside by the end of the 19th century.

For decades, some states had so-called, quote, Jew laws that prohibited non-Christians from holding office or had similar bans on Catholics. Such laws were the exception, however, and fell by the wayside by the end of the 19th century.

For decades, some states had so-called, quote, Jew laws that prohibited non-Christians from holding office or had similar bans on Catholics. Such laws were the exception, however, and fell by the wayside by the end of the 19th century.

The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, placed the same limits on state power that are placed on the federal government regarding the establishment of religion, a limitation upheld in the 1947 Supreme Court case Everson v. Board of Education.

The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, placed the same limits on state power that are placed on the federal government regarding the establishment of religion, a limitation upheld in the 1947 Supreme Court case Everson v. Board of Education.

The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, placed the same limits on state power that are placed on the federal government regarding the establishment of religion, a limitation upheld in the 1947 Supreme Court case Everson v. Board of Education.

Martin believes that not just the Bible, but also the original United States Constitution, which includes provisions protecting slavery, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, were directly inspired by God. He asserts again, with no evidence and without defining terms, that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were, in his words, quote, "...Orthodox or Evangelical Christians."

Martin believes that not just the Bible, but also the original United States Constitution, which includes provisions protecting slavery, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, were directly inspired by God. He asserts again, with no evidence and without defining terms, that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were, in his words, quote, "...Orthodox or Evangelical Christians."

Martin believes that not just the Bible, but also the original United States Constitution, which includes provisions protecting slavery, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, were directly inspired by God. He asserts again, with no evidence and without defining terms, that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were, in his words, quote, "...Orthodox or Evangelical Christians."

In reality, the early leaders of America didn't speak with one mind regarding religion. Many were deists who saw God not as a deity invested in the daily lives of humans, but as a dispassionate clockmaker who put the gears of the universe together, wound it up, and let it run on its own. Their God didn't intervene in history or perform miracle healings at spiritual revivals.

In reality, the early leaders of America didn't speak with one mind regarding religion. Many were deists who saw God not as a deity invested in the daily lives of humans, but as a dispassionate clockmaker who put the gears of the universe together, wound it up, and let it run on its own. Their God didn't intervene in history or perform miracle healings at spiritual revivals.

In reality, the early leaders of America didn't speak with one mind regarding religion. Many were deists who saw God not as a deity invested in the daily lives of humans, but as a dispassionate clockmaker who put the gears of the universe together, wound it up, and let it run on its own. Their God didn't intervene in history or perform miracle healings at spiritual revivals.

When Ben Franklin proposed opening the first session of the 1787 Constitutional Convention with a prayer, the proposal was voted down, with only four approving Franklin's motion and a gathering that as many as 55 attended on any given day.

When Ben Franklin proposed opening the first session of the 1787 Constitutional Convention with a prayer, the proposal was voted down, with only four approving Franklin's motion and a gathering that as many as 55 attended on any given day.

When Ben Franklin proposed opening the first session of the 1787 Constitutional Convention with a prayer, the proposal was voted down, with only four approving Franklin's motion and a gathering that as many as 55 attended on any given day.

Barton's books and speeches are filled with misquotes and statements attributed to historical figures that no credible scholars have been able to find. He cherry-picks evidence to bolster his claims about the founder's religious beliefs. Barton, for instance, made up a story that Jefferson started the practice of holding church services in the U.S. Capitol.

Barton's books and speeches are filled with misquotes and statements attributed to historical figures that no credible scholars have been able to find. He cherry-picks evidence to bolster his claims about the founder's religious beliefs. Barton, for instance, made up a story that Jefferson started the practice of holding church services in the U.S. Capitol.

Barton's books and speeches are filled with misquotes and statements attributed to historical figures that no credible scholars have been able to find. He cherry-picks evidence to bolster his claims about the founder's religious beliefs. Barton, for instance, made up a story that Jefferson started the practice of holding church services in the U.S. Capitol.

More reputable scholars argue that while there's evidence that Jefferson attended one service held at the Capitol building, there's no evidence that he approved them officially. What's more, Jefferson was far from an Orthodox Christian or the sort of Christian that dominates conservatism today.