God In The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence mentions God; calls on God. But God's Hand was much deeper in its creation.
The Declaration of Independence mentions God several times, showing that faith played a big part in its creation. God’s influence wasn’t just mentioned; it was woven into the ideas and process of writing the Declaration.
Thomas Jefferson was the main person responsible for writing the Declaration of Independence. Although a committee of five people was put together by the Continental Congress to draft the Declaration, Jefferson did most of the writing.
Jefferson was chosen because he was known for his good writing skills. After he finished his draft, the committee, which included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston, made a few changes.
The final Declaration had several references to God and divine ideas. This showed that the colonies believed a higher power supported their choice to declare independence. Even though Jefferson himself was known for his views on religious freedom and was a deist1, the language he used reflected a general sense of spirituality and recognized God’s role in their pursuit of liberty.
Here are some direct mentions of God in the Declaration:
"Laws of Nature and of Nature's God": This phrase suggests that declaring independence was part of a natural order and God's plan. It aligns with ideas like equality, human rights, and the belief that people are made in God's image.
"Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights": This means that basic rights come from a higher power, not from human laws. Since these rights are given by God, only God can take them away.
"Appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions": In the end, the signers of the Declaration trusted that God knew their intentions were right and fair.
"With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence": This shows that they relied on God's guidance and protection as they set off on their journey as a new nation.
These references to God helped to justify the Declaration of Independence, giving it a moral and spiritual backing. The language used in the Declaration resonated with many people because it reflected the religious feelings of the time.
Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration in June 1776. He drew from his knowledge of Enlightenment philosophy, his legal background, and other documents like the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Congress approved the final version on July 2, 1776, with all 13 colonies agreeing. The Declaration was then formally adopted on July 4, 1776, which is now celebrated as Independence Day.
When Benjamin Franklin discussed the risk of declaring independence from Britain, he said, "We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." This quote shows the serious consequences of the act of treason against Britain. If they didn't stick together, they could all be executed. This underlined the need for unity among the colonies.
In the end, the Declaration of Independence was about liberty, justice, and independence. It was a product of teamwork, compromise, and a shared belief in a higher moral authority. The final version balanced these ideas, which would shape the new United States.
Deists often critique organized religion, dogma, and religious institutions for promoting superstition, intolerance, or rituals that lack rational basis. They prefer a more individual and personal approach to faith. A lesson today’s Americans are re-learning.