The True Origins of America: A Christian Civilization Built on English-Speaking, Freemason Principles

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

America's foundational identity, rooted in English-speaking, WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) and Freemason principles, is often misrepresented in modern discussions surrounding its character and mission. Today, many fear that America may be on the brink of becoming a "Christian theocracy," but this fear misrepresents the very essence of what America was meant to be—a democratic Christian civilization, based on freedom of religion and the right to worship as one sees fit. I argue that those who oppose America's Christian roots are working against the nation’s original vision.

America’s English-Speaking, WASP Foundations

From its very inception, the United States was built upon a culture and identity forged from its English-speaking, WASP heritage. The early settlers who came to the American shores in the 17th century were predominantly English Protestants, bringing with them the customs, language, and values of their homeland. They were heirs to centuries of theological, philosophical, and political thought that shaped the Western world. This background helped define America as a unique civilization, one rooted in the principles of the English Reformation, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment.

The term "WASP" itself describes the dominant ethnic and cultural group that created and nurtured the American system. While later waves of immigrants—German, Irish, Italian, Jewish, and others—enriched the nation's culture, the underlying framework of American society remained grounded in the worldview and customs of its English-speaking Protestant founders.

Moreover, the English language has always been central to the American identity. Its use in government, education, and daily life reflects an adherence to the communication system that brought together the early colonists in the creation of a unified nation. English was not merely a practical tool; it was the language of liberty, law, and the gospel. The historical significance of the language of the King James Bible cannot be overstated, as it was the spiritual backbone of early American society.

Freemasons and the Founding of the United States

Another vital but often overlooked influence in America’s founding was Freemasonry. Many of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, were Freemasons. Freemasonry, at its core, is a system of moral and ethical teachings based on principles of liberty, fraternity, and equality. These principles mirrored those of the Enlightenment thinkers and were integral to the American Revolution.

The Freemason involvement in America's founding is evident in the symbolism seen throughout Washington, D.C., and in many of the nation’s founding documents. The Founders viewed Freemasonry as an organization that supported values such as the pursuit of knowledge, the importance of virtue, and the safeguarding of individual rights. These were, in turn, critical to the success of the American experiment.

Freemasonry, however, was not an effort to establish a theocracy but rather a moral and civic institution that sought to promote religious tolerance, freedom of expression, and the rights of individuals to follow their faiths. It is crucial to understand that America’s founders sought not to impose a single religious vision but to create a pluralistic society where individuals could practice their religion freely—something that had not been possible in Europe under monarchies and state-sponsored religions.

Fear of a "Christian Theocracy" is Misguided

The modern fear of America becoming a “Christian theocracy” reflects a misunderstanding of the nation’s founding principles. While the Founders were overwhelmingly Christian, and their religious beliefs undoubtedly shaped their views on liberty and justice, they did not intend to create a state-run religious institution. Rather, they envisioned a country where religious freedom was paramount—a land where people of all faiths could coexist and worship without the interference of government.

Many critics of Christianity in America today argue that the country was never intended to be a "Christian nation." This argument fails to account for the influence Christianity had on the cultural and moral underpinnings of the nation. As noted in documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the Founders believed in the concept of natural law, which they tied directly to God’s will. As John Adams wrote, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

This doesn’t mean that America was ever intended to be an official Christian theocracy. Instead, it was envisioned as a democratic Christian civilization—one in which the moral teachings of Christianity influenced the laws and values of the nation, but where freedom of conscience was enshrined. America’s founders believed that true freedom could only exist in a society that acknowledged the transcendent moral order established by God, but that did not seek to force conformity to a particular sect of Christianity or any religion at all.

America as a Democratic Christian Civilization

America’s true identity is that of a democratic Christian civilization—a civilization based on Christian values but open to religious diversity. The Constitution guarantees religious freedom, ensuring that no one religion will dominate or control the government. At the same time, the values derived from Christianity—freedom, justice, individual rights, and the dignity of the human person—formed the moral backbone of American society.

In a time when secularism and Marxism are on the rise, and many attempt to sever America’s Christian identity, it is essential to remember that the nation was created to be a place where people could freely practice their faith. A Christian civilization that embraces liberty, tolerance, and justice for all people—regardless of their specific religious beliefs—is not a theocracy. Rather, it is the fulfillment of the American dream: a free society where individuals can seek truth, live virtuously, and contribute to the common good.

Conclusion

Those who fear that America will become a "Christian theocracy" are fighting against the very essence of what America was founded to be. The nation was never intended to impose a single religious vision on its people. Instead, it was established as a democratic Christian civilization that acknowledges the importance of religion in shaping a moral society while protecting the rights of individuals to worship according to their conscience. As we move forward, it is crucial to reaffirm these foundational principles and preserve the vision of America as a place where freedom of religion and freedom of conscience are upheld for all people.

References

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