A Christian Nation: Why Conservative Ideology of America's Creation Distorts the Intent of the Founders

The U.S. Constitution does not mention Christianity or any specific religion. The Declaration of Independence famously proclaims that people’s rights come from a “Creator” and “Nature’s God,” but does not specify who that is. Yet large numbers of Americans believe the founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation, and many believe it should be one. Such views are especially strong among Republicans and their white evangelical base.

Defining Christian Nationalism

The idea of a Christian America means different things to different people. Pollsters have found a wide circle of Americans who hold general God-and-country sentiments. This movement reflects a movement widely called Christian nationalism, which fuses American and Christian values, symbols and identity and seeks to privilege Christianity in public life. Within that is a smaller, hardcore group who also check other boxes in surveys. For example, they believe that:

• The U.S. Constitution was inspired by God.
• The federal government should declare the U.S. a Christian nation.
• The government should advocate Christian values.
• The government should stop enforcing the separation of church and state.

For those embracing that package of beliefs, it is more likely they will have unfavorable views toward immigrants and dismiss or downplay the impact of anti-Black discrimination, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey.

Political Influence and Contemporary Leadership

Already such views are being voiced by supporters of Donald Trump amid his bid to recapture the presidency. Many conservatives and Republicans embrace the idea of Christian national origins, even as many reject the “Christian nationalist” label. For instance, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has proclaimed that America is and was founded as a Christian nation and that Thomas Jefferson was “divinely inspired” in his writing of the Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, vocal supporters of Trump have described current politics as spiritual warfare for the destiny of a country that former Trump aide Steve Bannon described as the “New Jerusalem.”

Conflicting Perspectives on History

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, said he does not identify as a Christian nationalist, but does believe America was founded as a Christian nation. He stated that “there’s a case to be made that the Judeo-Christian faith was the foundation for our laws and many of our principles.” However, Anthea Butler, chair of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, said history precludes any idea of a Christian nation. While it doesn’t mean that Christians weren’t a part of the founding of this nation, Eric McDaniel, an associate professor of government at the University of Texas, notes that the idea of Christian nationhood fills Americans’ need for an origin story. It creates a sense of “national innocence,” so adherents resist confronting uglier parts of U.S. history.

Key Perspectives and Foundational Beliefs

Subject/Individual	Core Perspective or Claim
U.S. Constitution	Does not mention Christianity or any specific religion.
Christian Nationalism	Fuses American and Christian values and seeks to privilege Christianity in public life.
Speaker Mike Johnson	Claims America was founded as a Christian nation and Jefferson was “divinely inspired.”
Anthea Butler	Argues that history precludes the idea of a Christian nation.
Eric McDaniel	States the belief connects to Manifest Destiny and creates a sense of “national innocence.”