How Religious Were the Founders?

Jeffrey Rosen discusses the role of religion at the founding with Jane Calvert of the John Dickinson Writings Project, Vincent Phillip Muñoz of the University of Notre Dame, and Thomas Kidd of the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They trace the framers’ personal faith commitments and explore the original understanding of the relationship between church and state.

This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on November 25, 2024.

Resources: 

• The First Amendment, National Constitution Center exhibit 
• Jane E. Calvert, Penman of the Founding: A Biography of John Dickinson (2024) 
• Thomas Kidd, Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh (2022) 
• Vincent Phillip Muñoz, Religious Liberty and the American Founding: Natural Rights and the Original Meanings of the First Amendment Religion Clauses (2022) 
• Thomas Kidd, God of Liberty: A Religious History of the American Revolution (2010) 
• Vincent Phillip Muñoz , God and the Founders: Madison, Washington, and Jefferson (2009) 
• Letter From George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, (Aug. 18, 1790) 

Stay Connected and Learn More

• Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org
• Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr.
• Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.
• Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
• Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube.
• Support our important work.

Donate