Religious Freedom Basics

The first settlers of the British Colonies in the 1600s were fleeing religious persecution and lack of opportunities to own land. The colonies offered the opportunity for religious freedom and economic opportunity.

Past European empires had relied on religion to unify their subjects. Britain was imposing the Church of England on the population after the Reformation. That left no room for Catholicism or the many other Protestant denominations.

The Founders benefitted from the churches. In the 1700s most pastors were teaching freedom and criticizing the British colonial government. The result of this teaching prepared the colonists to understand and endorse independence and ensure the success of the American Revolution.

The Founders were also critical of denominational isolationism and bickering. Thomas Paine said his church was in his mind. Our Founders were more aligned with having a personal relationship with God and strict adherence to the 10 Commandments.

Business in the 1700s was based on trust and trust was based on impressions, endorsements and track records. Business was done on a person-to-person basis and letters of introduction were common. Personal morality was critical.

Settling the North American continent was dangerous and required tough colonists who chose to work to survive. This is the work ethic that was also taught by the churches. Many Americans learned to read by reading the Bible. This raised their literacy rate and allowed settlers to read other things. This was the basis for the US Meritocracy, where everybody had the opportunity to learn, survive and prosper.

Families provided the support system, not government.  Government was limited to providing defense and expanding commerce for the private sector. Individuals were required to become self-reliant.

The fact that the colonists fought Indian tribes and kept slaves is irrelevant today. Their actions and practices were consistent with all other groups at the time. Self-defense was not considered as immoral. The Bible was full of wars.  Our history needs to be preserved to understand our successes and failures.

Attorney General Bill Barr is dealing with blatant government discrimination against Christianity at the same time when churches have been infiltrated by Communists and are in decline due their own lack of diligence. American Communist Goals include the destruction of morality and the churches. They are succeeding. 

US citizens had forgotten to be skeptical of government and allowed it to take control of education and impose secular humanism as the national religion.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader