The United States of America.  Why was this nation formed?  Did God have a purpose and a design for us as a nation, and how do we fit into the role of the nations mentioned in the Bible?  And one last question that i would like you to consider with me...  What did the founders of our country say about the Bible, and about Christianity in general?  In our modern day society, the concept of God, Jesus and the Bible have been relegated to an obscure dark corner, where it is considered if not illegal, at least improper to mention your beliefs in any public forum.

What did people like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others say about their Creator, in the light of the government and nation that they had fought for and so many had died for?  We will see what these people did say, as well as going on a pictorial journey through time and across this land.  Our first subject will be George Washington, the first President of the United States.

"Direct my thoughts, words, and work...daily more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ."

"In addition to the distinguished character of a Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian." - George Washington May 2, 1778 at Valley Forge, PA

"[Love] ought to be under the guidance of reason, for although we cannot avoid first impressions, we may assuredly place them under guard." to Eleanor Parker Curtis, his adopted granddaughter, January 16, 1775.

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. . . Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on our minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles."

"...Such being the impressions under which I have, to obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge.  In tendering this homage to the great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, not those of my fellow citizens at large, less than either...

No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency...

These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed.  You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none, under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence...

We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.  Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the human race, in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultation, and the wise measures, on which the success of this government may depend."

"Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor; and, whereas, both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me 'to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;'

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, kind care and protection of the people of this country, previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interposition of His providence, in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors, which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And, also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereign and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science, among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine."

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.  In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.  The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them.  A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.  Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice?  And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.  Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.  The rule, indeed, extends with more of less force to every species of free government.  Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric? ...

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.  Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?  It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.  Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay and temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it?  Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its Virtue?  The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.  The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them.  A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.  Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

"It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.  It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being.

It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being. Religion is as necessary to reason as reason is to religion.  The one cannot exist without the other.  A reasoning being would lose his reason in attempting to account for the great phenomena of nature, had he not a Supreme Being to refer to; and well has it been said, that if there had been no God, mankind would have been obliged to imagine one."

--- James K. Paulding, A Life of Washington, 1836, Vol. II, p. 208. (Johnson, 263-264)

"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible"
President George Washington, September 17th, 1796