A little fact check shows that all of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians; the majority of them (32) were Episcopalians, 13 Congregationalists, 12 Presbyterians, two Quakers, two Unitarians, and one Catholic. In this week, when our nation celebrates the Declaration of Independence, signed 243 years ago on Thursday, perhaps we may do well to recall some of the religious foundations that rest behind the The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Armand-Dumaresq (c. 1873) has been hanging in the White House Cabinet Room since the late 1980s The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, with 12 of the 13 colonies voting in favor and New York abstaining. The date that the Declaration was signed has long been the subject of debate The The Founding Fathers consisted of over 250 men, including the signers of the Declaration and Constitution, the framers of the Bill of Rights, leading state governors and generals in the Revolution. Although not all of the Founding Fathers were Christians, many of them were. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 [O.S. April 2], 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American Founding Father and the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. [6] He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was the nation's first U.S. secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams. Jefferson was a leading The Signers of the Declaration of Independence All of the colonies were represented in Philadelphia to consider the delicate case for independence and to change the course of the war. In all, there were fifty-six representatives from the thirteen colonies. Fourteen represented the New England Colonies, twenty-one represented the Middle Colonies and twenty-one represented the South-ern Colonies A recent letter writer said America (was) not founded as a Christian nation and cited 10 prominent founders of the U.S. without saying who they were. However, 52 of the 55 signers of the The Declaration of Independence is a document at the very core of our American system of government. Signed on July 4, 1776, the Declaration set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the Revolutionary War, the independence of the United States, and the establishment of an unbelievably effective system of government. There are several aspects of the Declaration of Independence that are Half the Declaration’s signers had some sort of divinity school training, and while John Adams was the most overtly pious, even the supposed non-believers among the Founders, such as Benjamin Join us on this journey as we delve into the surprising number of Christian signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the role that faith played in the founding of the United States. Let’s uncover the hidden history behind this pivotal moment in American history! Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians (54 out of 56). Twenty-seven (27) of them held theology degrees. The signers intended the document to officiate the separation between America and Great Britain (England). Four of the signers were taken captive during the war and nearly all of them were poorer at the end of the war than at the beginning. No matter what each of these men did after July 1776, the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence which began on August 2 ensured them instant immortality. A staple of “Christian America” history is the claim that “ half,” or “ twenty-nine ” of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had “seminary” or “Bible college” degrees. This claim unfortunately shows up in Fourth of July sermons and even the occasional megachurch pastor’s tweet. From Lossing's "Signers of the Declaration of Independence" we hear, "As a patriot and a Christian, his name will ever be revered." (Signer of Declaration of Independence) Floyd, William - Floyd was a Presbyterian. (Signer of Declaration of Independence) Gerry, Elbridge - Gerry was an Episcopalian. Promoted Massachusetts' Religious Freedoms Act. By understanding the direct influence that Christians and Christian influence exercised upon the formation of the Declaration of Independence, they will be more prepared to give an answer to every individual who seeks to know the source of the hope they possess. Article Contents * Click headings to navigate; click headings to return. Believe it or not, Christianity was in play here. 54 of 56 Signers Were Christians Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians (54 out of 56). Twenty-seven (27) of them held theology degrees. The signers intended the document to officiate the separation between America and Great Britain (England). Three names that most Americans know are Thomas Jefferson (who wrote the Declaration) John Hancock (the First Signer) and Benjamin Franklin (the great statesman and inventor whose picture is on the One Hundred Dollar bill). compiled the demographics for the Signers of the Declaration of Independence for this page. It mirrors the data found on a similar page which has demographics for the attendees of the Constitutional Convention and another for the signers of the Articles of Confederation. Religion key: AN = Anglican CO = Congregationalist DE = Deist EP Several of the Founders also served as ministers, chaplains or were active in Christian service. After our Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence on July 2, John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed it to make it legal on July 4th. Signers of the Declaration of Independence Download this Information in PDF Format
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |