"In God We Trust": The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers

This book is about the religious beliefs and personal philosophies of the small company of young men who founded the new nation that called itself the United States of America. Much is known about their political ideas--but what about their own articles of faith and individual philosophies? This question has served as the basis for speculation and often conflicting theory, especially in connection with recurring issues facing the American people. This is the first time these materials have been brought together into a single source. In these pages they speak their minds; they also speak to the spiritual concerns of our own time. Norman Cousins has examined literally thousands of letters, personal diaries and official pronouncements in making the selections for this book. As part of each chapter, he has also written an essay on the education and general background of each man.--From publisher description.