Adams Quote by Bird Wilson
““...the founders of our nation were nearly all Infidels, and that of the presidents who had thus far been elected { George Washington , John Adams , Thomas Jefferson , James Madison , James Monroe , John Quincy Adams , and Andrew Jackson }, not a one had professed a belief in Christianity... When the war was over and the victory over our enemies won, and the blessings and happiness of liberty and peace were secured, the Constitution was framed and God was neglected. He was not merely forgotten. He was absolutely voted out of the Constitution . The proceedings, as published by Thompson, the secretary, and the history of the day, show that the question was gravely debated whether God should be in the Constitution or not, and after a solemn debate he was deliberately voted out of it… There is not only in the theory of our government no recognition of God's laws and sovereignty, but its practical operation, its administration, has been conformable to its theory. Those who have been called to administer the government have not been men making any public profession of Christianity ... Washington was a man of valor and wisdom. He was esteemed by the whole world as a great and good man; but he was not a professing Christian... [ Sermon by Reverend Bill Wilson (Episcopal) in October 1831, as published in the Albany Daily Advertiser the same month it was made ]””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Reverend Bill Wilson, Albany Daily Advertiser, October 1831
The founders excluded explicit religious language from the Constitution, reflecting a secular governance despite personal beliefs.
In simple terms: America’s founding deliberately left God out of its constitutional text.
Recognize the secular intent of the Constitution.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political debates
- historical analysis
- civic education
- constitutional law
- religious discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a secular constitution affect national identity?
- Can moral values be upheld without explicit religious references?
Secular design may overlook moral foundations for some citizens.