Was America founded as a Christian nation? Political leaders often say so—but the history tells a very different story. In this video, historian Benjamin Park breaks down the complex religious beliefs (and disbeliefs) of the Founding Fathers—from George Washington’s vague deism to Thomas Jefferson’s razor-cut Bible. We explore how early Americans viewed religion, why church membership was surprisingly rare at the time of the Revolution, and how many of the framers actually feared religious “enthusiasm” and institutional power.
This episode challenges modern myths used by politicians to justify religious nationalism. You’ll learn why Jefferson’s famous “wall of separation” letter still matters, how Franklin and Hamilton viewed prayer, and why calling early America a Christian nation misunderstands its founding entirely. If you care about church and state, faith in politics, or historical truth—this is the breakdown you’ve been waiting for.
Books:
American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16
Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw
Video Chapters:
0:00 Was America Christian?
0:52 What Trump Got Wrong
1:57 How Religion Worked Then
4:10 Only 17% Were Church Members
5:51 Why Disestablishment Helped Faith
6:51 The Framers Were Not United
8:50 Founders Feared Evangelicalism
9:44 Washington the Pragmatist
10:44 Franklin’s Doubts
11:51 Hamilton the Deist
12:47 Jefferson’s Contradictions
15:03 The Jefferson Bible
15:54 The Wall of Separation
16:55 Christian Nation as Modern Myth
About This Channel:
Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past.
#FoundingFathers #ChristianNationMyth #AmericanHistory
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