The atmosphere in Phoenix, Arizona, was electric on December 21, 2025. Vice President JD Vance addressed over 30,000 young conservatives at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, a gathering still shadowed by the recent assassination of the organization’s founder, Charlie Kirk. His words ignited both fervent applause and immediate controversy.
Vance declared, with resounding conviction, that the enduring strength of the United States stemmed from its fundamentally Christian identity. He asserted that America *has been*, and by divine grace *always will be*, a Christian nation. This statement resonated deeply with the crowd, drawing the most enthusiastic response of his entire speech.
He didn’t stop there. Vance boldly proclaimed Christianity as America’s core belief system, the very “creed” upon which the nation was built. He argued that Christian principles were the invisible thread woven through the fabric of American history, shaping its character and destiny.
Immediate backlash erupted. Critics swiftly labeled Vance’s claims historically inaccurate, pointing to the Constitution’s secular foundations and the First Amendment’s guarantee of separation between church and state. Arguments centered on the idea of a deliberately secular government, citing statements from figures like Thomas Jefferson.
One prominent critique referenced the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, where John Adams explicitly stated the U.S. government wasn’t based on Christianity. The debate framed a stark choice: trust Vance’s interpretation or return to the original intent of the Founding Fathers, as evidenced in foundational documents.
However, a closer examination reveals a different story. America’s founding documents, both at the federal and state levels, are replete with Christian language and requirements. The Declaration of Independence, for example, contains four direct references to God, invoking concepts of divine creation and providence.
The very dating of the Declaration – “in the Year of our Lord” 1776 – speaks volumes. The phrase “Divine Providence” isn’t merely acknowledgment of a deity, but a belief in God’s active intervention in human affairs, a concept distinct from deism.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787, a crucial early law, emphasized the necessity of “Religion, morality, and knowledge” for good governance and human happiness, explicitly encouraging education. This foundational document underscored the perceived link between faith and a thriving society.
While the U.S. Constitution itself contains less overt religious language than many state constitutions, subtle indicators remain. Article VII is dated “in the Year of our Lord” 1787, and Article I, Section 7 includes a Sunday exemption for presidential bill consideration. The First Amendment protects the *practice* of religion.
The federal Constitution’s relative silence on religion wasn’t an oversight. States already had established churches, religion was considered a state matter under federalism, and religious diversity prevented a national denomination. Federal religious tests were banned, but states maintained their own.
The Federalist Papers, crucial for understanding the Constitution’s intent, also contain significant religious references. Federalist No. 2 acknowledges a shared religious identity among the American people, while No. 37 attributes the nation’s success to “a finger of that Almighty hand.”
Even acknowledging potential divisions, Federalist No. 10 recognizes “a zeal for different opinions concerning religion” as a force within society. More importantly, the authors themselves held deeply rooted Christian beliefs, expressed in their personal writings.
Alexander Hamilton described Christianity as “the best and purest religion,” believing its principles were divinely inspired. James Madison affirmed the essential role of belief in a “God who is all-powerful, wise, and good” for moral order and human happiness.
John Jay championed the Bible as “the best of all books,” a guide to happiness in this life and the next. These weren’t isolated opinions, but reflections of a widespread worldview among the nation’s founders.
George Washington’s Inaugural Address in 1789 included “fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe.” He recognized that Americans were uniquely positioned to acknowledge and adore the divine hand guiding their affairs. The Presidential Oath, concluded with “So help me God,” continues to this day.
