Their contributions to our republic are unquestioned. But what did they believe about God? What did they believe about man's relationship with God? And most importantly to the debate, how did they intend to apply such beliefs to our Constitutional system? The only way to know is to closely examine what they themselves wrote in their own words.
As Commander of all American forces during the War for Independence, President of the Constitutional Convention, and first President of the United States, George Washington is honored with the distinction of being "father of our country." It is written of Washington that his personal integrity was beyond reproach. On January 2 1814 Thomas Jefferson wrote of Washington to Dr. Walter Jones, "His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man." .
Though stirring are the words written by Jefferson and others, it is important to note that though writing a three-page letter about Washington's character, Jefferson does not mention the Christian faith, or even God once. More striking are Washington's own words or lack there of in reference to faith. It seems as if Washington only invoked the name of God, when speaking of blessings on the republic and on the cause of liberty. He eloquently tied Christianity and patriotism together. And since the time of Washington, this patriotic faith has been practiced fervently in America, as seen following the events of September the eleventh. The problem with such a union is that it elevates nationalism and demotes Christianity so as to create equality between the two. It is evident from his own words, that Washington did not necessarily revere the Christian God of the Bible. As any good Enlightenment humanist would, Washington recognized a supreme being but in his heart, respected the will and potential of man above all.