The Founding Principles of Civil and Religious Liberty

America was founded as the first nation in history to intentionally establish the Christian principles of civil and religious liberty as its core foundation, specifically separating the power of the State from the control of the churchCGRAS 25.1+2.

The Pursuit of Religious Liberty

• Seeking Asylum: The roots of America lie with the Puritans and other oppressed groups in the seventeenth century who were hunted and persecuted in England for following their consciencesGC 290.2. They first sought refuge in Holland before ultimately determining to establish a government on the shores of America that was free from the tyranny of kingly rule and the arrogant claims of poperySPCCSR 121.3+1.

• The Rhode Island Example: Roger Williams laid a vital foundation at Narragansett Bay by establishing Rhode Island, the first state of modern times to recognize the full right of every man to worship God according to the light of his own conscienceGC 295.1. These principles of civil and religious liberty eventually became the cornerstones of the American RepublicGC 295.1.

• A Lamb-like Character: The nation's rise is symbolized in prophecy by a beast with two horns like a lamb, representing its dual foundational principles: Republicanism and Protestantism Revelation 13:11SPCCSR 121.3+1.

Constitutional Foundations

• Separation of Church and State: The founders, including Washington, Madison, and Jefferson, sought to create a state without an officially recognized religion to prevent the people from being led back to the intolerance of the InquisitionAMS March 9, 1899, page 146.4+1.

• The National Constitution: Article VI of the Constitution specifies that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any public officeCGRAS 25.1+1.

• The First Amendment: Adopted in 1789, the First Amendment declares that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereofCGRSL 25.1+1.

• The Treaty of Tripoli: In 1796, a treaty signed by President Washington explicitly stated that the Government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion, emphasizing that religion is a matter between the individual and God rather than a province of civil governmentAMS February 13, 1889, page 28.7+1.

Divine Providence and Growth

• A Providential Birth: Divine Providence is recognized as having led to the discovery of the continent and the guided birth of the nation for a more complete application of truths affirmed by reason and revelationAMS January 4, 1894, page 3.5+1.

• Unparalleled Progress: Since its acknowledgment of independence, the nation has experienced a "coming up" in population, territory, and industry that finds no parallel in human history, growing from a small population to a vast empire of influenceSYNPT 50.1+1.

• True Self-Government: The founding principle, often called the "sheet-anchor" of American Republicanism, is that no man is good enough to govern another without that person's consent, as all men are created equalARSH January 11, 1898, page 24.6+2.

The founders understood that while the powers that be are ordained of God, they are not ordained in things pertaining to a person's relationship with God Romans 13:1-9TTL 3.5. America was intended to be a beacon-light of liberty to all the world, influencing other nations toward enlightenment through these peaceful principlesARSH April 11, 1899, page 233.3.