Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

PANTHEON

Home
Pagan
Pagan Inclinations of the Founding Fathers

Pagan Inclinations of the Founding Fathers

Last updated on: July 4, 2010 at 8:32 am by Star Foster

Pagan Inclinations of the Founding Fathers 2010-07-04T08:32:59-04:00 Star Foster

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What a great thing it is, to live in a country founded on principles of freedom, especially religious freedom. Despite those who would rewrite history, the United States of America is “not in any sense founded on the Christian religion”: a statement approved by George Washington himself. In fact, many of the building blocks of early American government rest on solid Pagan foundations.

Am I saying the Founding Fathers were Pagans? No, they were mostly Deists with a good sprinkling of nature reverence. They were no more Pagan than Teddy Roosevelt was Pagan. However, they were classically educated and found inspiration in ancient Pagan ideals and symbols.

Our system of government was based on the ancient Roman Republic, both having a Senate and our House of Representatives a more egalitarian version of the Plebeian Council. Long before Uncle Sam, and even before the Statue of Liberty, came on the scene the US was represented visually by Columbia and Liberty. These Goddesses were very Roman representations of the American genius, a manifestation of the power of the American Spirit.

While they may not have been up for ecstatic dancing around a bonfire ringed with drummers, I think we Modern Pagans would get on well with the Founding Fathers. Our love of freedom, our passion for classic myths and philosophies and understanding of the importance of symbols to foster a sense of unity bind us to them. We should be proud that when founding a new, unorthodox nation the symbols the Founders chose to give us a sense of continuity, purpose and direction came from Pagan cultures.

Previous Post

July 3, 2010

Fundamental Pagan Earth Knowledge

Next Post

July 4, 2010 Welcome Home! A “festal virgin” on Pagan Spirit Gathering 2010

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category alexandrian asatru astrology ATW Audio books btw ceremonial magick chaos classics community conversion cosmology dianic discordian druid dvd eclectic equinox ethics family feri festivals film Fully Inclusive Events gardnerian gender issues glbt heathen hellenismos history humor initiation interfaith magick meditation Military movies music mysticism myth networking news Open Thread Pagan Pagan 101 Paganism passings polytheism Polytheistic Religion polytheology praxis Reading List religio romana review ritual sabbats santeria service solstice symbols tools values wicca witchcraft

Select a Month July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was known as the doubter among Jesus' disciples?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John James Peter Thomas