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KindAwareness3073 t1_jac9333 wrote

Many founding fathers were "observant", that's not the same as "devoted" or even "believing". Nearly all were "Enlightenment" thinkers, and many were Freemasons. All had grown up under state religions. Their "Freedom of religion" was more about freedom FROM religion.

Edit: spelling

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Eroe777 t1_jadbh4z wrote

Most of the Founding Fathers can best be described as Deists- they believed in God, but were not necessarily very 'Christian'.

But try telling that to the Republicans.

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timk85 t1_jadknda wrote

I mean, a deist still believes in God.

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OwenLoveJoy t1_jacfll6 wrote

One of the requirements of being a Freemason is belief in god, although you are correct that many of the founders were not deeply religious.

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KindAwareness3073 t1_jad0pka wrote

From Wikipedia:

"Whilst it is recognized that Masonry is not atheistic (Masons aligned with the United Grand Lodge of England are asked if they believe in God or another supreme being before joining and only accept candidates that do),[17] its use of the expression Supreme Architect of the Universe—a term attributed to the Protestant theologian John Calvin—is seen by some Christian critics as indicating Deism, the belief that God created the Universe but did not intervene in the world after this."

"Supreme Architect of the Universe" was a convenient dodge in the 18th century world where living people could still recall the Witch Trials.

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DiamondsJims t1_jadscud wrote

Unless you're a freemason. They will attack and assault you as part of a perverse "non religious" practice. When they want someone to do something, they will leverage their "brothers" to compel your fate.

Freemasons these days are about being above the letter of the law.

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