The Founding Fathers

Contrary to what the atheists/humanists say, religion is a staple of the American way. I'm so sick and tired of them pulling my ancestors' quotes out of context. They were NOT atheist. The only reason they believed in separation of church and state was because the Brits had placed the death penalty on those who were not Anglican, and the founding fathers were of many different Christian faiths. They believed that religion was important to the founding of this country, and important if we wanted to maintain the freedoms they established. Take, for instance, George Washington's Farewell Address:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Therefore, should we scrap religion and belief from the law of the land? Not according to our first President. Not according to many other founding fathers, as well.

"Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other. The divine law, as discovered by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of both." - James Wilson

"If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants." William Penn

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." John Adams, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson

For those who would place Dr. Benjamin Franklin in the category of Deist, Atheist, and/or non-Theist, take into account this reference from the Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel06.html

The exhibit by the Library of Congress also asserts that the religious clause of the First Amendment was only to keep Congress from establishing a national religion. They believed that right should have been left to the states, as there were too many Christian religions in the United States, and none should have any more importance than the other.

For more on the Founding Fathers and their view of religion:
http://www.foundingfathers.info/forums/Main01/messages/220629775.html
http://americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/beliefs_of_the_founding_fathers#ixzz0btLU7aXG
http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/
http://www.usahistory.info/NewEngland/Puritans.html
http://www.aproundtable.org/tps30info/beliefs.html
http://www.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm
http://christianity.about.com/od/independenceday/a/foundingfathers.htm
http://www.whateveristrue.com/heritage/ofathers.htm