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The religious beliefs of the U.S. founding fathers were not at all of a singular focus.[1] While, some of them had no affiliation, most of the delegates to the constitutional convention consisted of Protestants except for three Roman Catholics, C. Carroll, D. Carroll, and Fitzsimons. Among the Protestant Constitutional Convention delegates, 28 were Episcopalian, 8 were Presbyterians, 7 were Congregationalists, 2 were Lutherans, 2 were Dutch Reformed, and 2 were Methodists.
- "I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life"—to "live deliberately," and "simplify, simplify, simplify."
Many of the more prominent Founding Fathers were outspoken about their opposition to organized religion or anti-clerical, such as Jefferson. Some of them often related their anti-organized church leanings in their speeches and correspondence, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson (who created the "Jefferson's Bible"), Benjamin Franklin, Ethan Allen, and Thomas Paine. However, a few of the more notable founders, such as Patrick Henry, were strong proponents of traditional religion. Several of the Founding Fathers considered themselves to be deists or held beliefs very similar to that of traditional Deists, including Franklin, Jefferson, Paine and Ethan Allen.[2][3][4]
Notwithstanding the broad spectrum of beliefs held by the Founding Fathers, most viewed religion in a favorable light. This is noted through their statements in speeches and correspondences in which they describe its role in molding "national morality" and securing the rule of law (George Washington), its check on human "wickedness" (Benjamin Franklin), and its preservation of a free government such as America (John Adams).
Regardless, the division of church and state was always emphasized by the founding fathers. For example, the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli affirms that "[t]he government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion." This document was ratified by Congress without much debate or contention and stands today as a reminder of the founding fathers' intentions.[5]