Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution was created with the understanding that human nature is inherently sinful. The founding fathers, influenced by the Bible, were aware of the potential for turbulence and contention in a pure democracy, where the personal rights of property and life could be threatened. They implemented checks and balances to address this, recognising the need for accountability and limits on power. The Constitution also guaranteed religious liberty, supporting the flourishing of Christianity, which was seen as a pillar of human happiness and political prosperity.
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution recognises the sinful nature of man
- The Founding Fathers believed in checks and balances to counter man's sinful nature
- The Constitution was made for a moral and religious people
- The Founding Fathers believed in supporting Christianity through law
- The Founding Fathers recognised the problem of pure democracy
The US Constitution recognises the sinful nature of man
The US Constitution does indeed recognise the sinful nature of man, and the founding fathers were aware of the potential issues that could arise in a democracy as a result. The Federalist Papers, a series of essays arguing for the ratification of the US Constitution, highlight the potential for pure democracy to become a threat to personal rights of property and life.
The founding fathers were concerned that, without checks and balances in place, human passions such as avarice, ambition, and revenge would threaten the Constitution. The Constitution was therefore designed with a system of checks and balances, and with the awareness that man is sinful.
The founding fathers also believed that the laws of nature and of nature's God, along with the natural rights and duties derived from them, were in line with their Christian beliefs. They felt that the government should not be hostile to Christianity, but rather should support it with laws that encourage its flourishing.
The US Constitution guaranteed religious liberty, and the founding fathers believed that Christianity ought to be encouraged to flourish in America. They recognised that a government always legislates morality, and that the nature of legislative power is to tell people what they can and cannot do, and what is right and wrong.
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The Founding Fathers believed in checks and balances to counter man's sinful nature
The Founding Fathers of the United States were aware of the sinful nature of man and built checks and balances into the US Constitution to counter this. They recognised the problem of pure democracy, noting that "democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention". James Madison, in Federalist Paper 6, expressed concern that pure democracy could become a threat to personal rights of property and life.
The Founding Fathers believed that the laws of nature and nature's God, along with the natural rights and duties derived from them, were in line with their Christian beliefs. They thought that the government should not be hostile to Christianity but should instead support it with laws that encourage its flourishing among the people. For example, in Washington's Farewell Address, he advises that "religion and morality are indispensable supports" for political prosperity.
The Founding Fathers also believed in the importance of checks and balances to counter man's sinful nature. They understood that human passions needed to be kept in check by morality and religion. As Washington warned, "Avarice, Ambition, Revenge or Gallantry, would break the strongest Cords of our Constitution as a Whale goes through a Net".
The US Constitution, therefore, includes checks and balances to counter the sinful nature of man and to protect against threats to personal rights and liberties.
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The Constitution was made for a moral and religious people
The recognition that human nature is sinful and that governments legislate morality is central to the idea that "the Constitution was made for a moral and religious people". This statement, attributed to the Founding Fathers of the United States, underscores the belief that a successful constitutional democracy requires a moral and religious citizenry whose passions are guided by morality and religion.
The Founding Fathers, influenced by the Bible, understood that unchecked human passions, such as avarice, ambition, and revenge, could threaten the stability of the constitutional order. They designed a system of checks and balances to guard against these passions, recognising that a pure democracy without such safeguards could lead to "turbulence and contention".
The Founders also believed in the importance of religion, particularly Christianity, in shaping morality. They saw Christianity as compatible with the laws of nature and nature's God, as well as the natural rights and duties derived from them. They believed that the government should not be hostile to religion but should instead encourage its flourishing through friendly laws. This view is reflected in Washington's Farewell Address, where he emphasised the indispensable role of religion and morality in political prosperity.
However, some critics, such as early 20th-century Progressives like Woodrow Wilson, argued that the Constitution impeded social progress. They contended that it was ill-equipped to address the evolving social and economic challenges of modern industrial society.
Today, there are debates about whether the United States remains a moral and religious people, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Professors Azerrad and West note a shift in the understanding of justice and morality among America's "elites", who now view religion, particularly Christianity, as dangerous and incompatible with secular ideologies that have gained prominence.
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The Founding Fathers believed in supporting Christianity through law
The Founding Fathers of the United States had diverse religious beliefs and it is difficult to make generalisations about their intentions regarding Christianity and law. While some sources claim that the Founding Fathers were Deists, others argue that they were Christians.
Many of the Founding Fathers were influenced by Enlightenment philosophy and continental philosophy, which is reflected in their writings and thinking. They prioritised philosophy over religion, especially when drafting the US Constitution. This is evident in the inclusion of freedom of speech and freedom of religion as fundamental rights. The Founding Fathers did not want to repeat the mistake of the previous tyrannical regime, which had combined religion and the head of state.
Some key Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, did not believe in Jesus as a deity and would not be considered Christians. Benjamin Franklin doubted Christ's legitimacy as a divine being, while Thomas Paine was a Deist. John Adams was a Unitarian, and George Washington's beliefs straddled the line between Christianity and Theistic Rationalism. James Madison was a fervent Christian who supported the First Amendment to protect Christian preachers in the colonies who faced persecution for their differing opinions.
While the Founding Fathers came from similar religious backgrounds, with most being Protestants, they held diverse views on religion. Some scholars argue that the majority were religious rationalists or Unitarians, while others claim that most held orthodox beliefs or were born-again Christians. On the surface, most of the Founding Fathers appeared to be orthodox Christians. They were baptised, listed on church rolls, married to practicing Christians, and attended Christian worship services, at least sporadically. They invoked divine assistance in their public statements, but it is unclear if this reflects their private beliefs.
In conclusion, while there were Christians among the Founding Fathers, the majority were influenced by Deism and did not intend to create a Christian nation. They recognised the importance of religious liberty and sought to prevent the government from making laws that support or oppress any particular religion.
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The Founding Fathers recognised the problem of pure democracy
The Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution recognised the problem of pure democracy, as expressed by James Madison in Federalist Paper 6. Madison warned of the dangers of pure democracy, stating that it could lead to "spectacles of turbulence and contention", threatening personal security, property rights, and life. He argued that while the aim of democracy is to achieve equality in political rights, it often fails to account for inequalities in possessions, opinions, and passions.
The Founding Fathers believed that a balance between democracy and other forms of government was necessary to guard against the potential negative consequences of pure democracy. They were aware of human passions and sinful nature, and understood the importance of checks and balances within the government to prevent the abuse of power. This recognition of human fallibility influenced the creation of a system with separation of powers and checks and balances, aiming to prevent any one individual or group from holding too much power and becoming a “king”, whose nature is also sinful and can sin.
Additionally, the Founding Fathers viewed the Constitution as a document that supported and encouraged the flourishing of Christianity. They believed that the laws of nature and nature's God, along with natural rights and duties, were aligned with their Christian beliefs. They advocated for a friendly relationship between government and Christianity, as expressed in Washington's Farewell Address, where he emphasised the importance of religion and morality as "indispensable supports" for political prosperity.
The Founders' beliefs stood in contrast to the views of early twentieth-century Progressives like Woodrow Wilson, who argued that the Constitution hindered social progress and was ill-equipped to address modern social and economic challenges. Despite these criticisms, the Constitution's foundation on moral and religious principles remained significant. Professors Azerrad and West highlighted this aspect in their course "The Real American Founding: A Conversation", discussing how the Founders believed in encouraging Christianity's presence in America, which later faced opposition from post-World War II elites.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution guards against man's sinful nature by incorporating checks and balances into the system, which is informed by a biblical view of human nature.
The Bible teaches that people, including kings and a powerful minority, can be sinful.
The doctrine of sinful nature or moral depravity of the human constitution is a false doctrine, according to Charles Finney. It has been used to explain that man has no choice and is unable to repent.
The US Constitution is not on par with the Bible, but its design shows agreement with a biblical view of human nature. It recognises the dangers of pure democracy, pure monarchy, and aristocracy.
