Reply #18: They were Enlightenment men

[Comadreja]

The Founders consciously turned away from religion in writing the Constitution, because they were students of the French Enlightenment. If our nation were "Judeo-Christian' (which is a doubtful term to start with)why doesn't it say so in the Constitution. Originally, there was no custom of even swearing by the Bible. They had seen the Puritan theocracy, as their muse John Locke had seen them in the civil war in England. They wanted no part of the "Divine Right of Kings" or the "appointed by God" claptrap.

The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion: Thomas Paine

Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law. -- Thomas Paine

Question with boldness even the existence of God; because if there be one, He must approve the homage of Reason rather than that of blindfolded Fear. -- Thomas Jefferson