Key Figures and Events in the American Revolution

Charles Thompson

• Role: Congressional Secretary (1774-1789).
• Contribution: Made a detailed history of the Revolution's events.
• Decision: Chose not to publish his manuscript, believing it would contradict existing heroic narratives of the Revolution.

Founding Fathers and Christianity

• Controversy: Debate over whether the Founding Fathers were Christians.
• Influence: Early American influences were Christian (e.g., Pilgrims in the 1620s).
• Patriotic Christianity: Embraces the idea of America as a Christian nation, influencing political activism.

Thomas Paine

• Works: "Common Sense" and "The Age of Reason".
• Influence: Instrumental in promoting American independence.
• Beliefs: Criticized Christianity and biblical teachings, calling them fables and obscene.

The Enlightenment Influence

• Key Figures: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin.
• Philosophy: Emphasized reason over biblical revelation.
• Impact: Introduced ideas contrary to traditional Christian beliefs.

The Illuminati and Freemasonry

• Connections: Influential in spreading Enlightenment ideas.
• Founders: Adam Weishaupt (Illuminati) and prominent Freemasons (e.g., Benjamin Franklin).

Thomas Jefferson

• Beliefs: Skeptical of traditional Christianity, rejected supernatural elements of the Bible.
• Jefferson Bible: Focused on morality, omitted miracles and divine elements.

Benjamin Franklin

• Society Membership: Involved in Freemasonry and possibly the Hellfire Club.
• Views on Religion: Embraced Enlightenment ideas, skeptical of Christianity.

John Adams

• Beliefs: Unitarian, rejected Christian doctrines like the Trinity.
• Influences: Cited Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire as influential.

Treaty of Tripoli

• Content: Declared the U.S. was not founded on Christianity.
• Controversy: Represents a departure from Christian nation narrative.

George Washington

• Religious Practices: Avoided communion, ambiguous Christian beliefs.
• Possible Conversion: Rumored deathbed conversion to Catholicism.

Religious Freedom and Jesuit Influence

• Doctrine: Supported by Jesuits, influenced U.S. religious freedom policies.
• Impact on Government: Allowed multiple faiths to coexist, possibly diluting Christian influence.

Modern Interpretation and Critique

• David Barton: Promotes America as a Christian nation; criticized for selective use of historical quotes.

Final Thoughts

• Religious Liberty: While celebrated as a foundational principle, it challenges traditional Christian exclusivity.
• Biblical Warnings: Criticism of Enlightenment views as contrary to scripture.