Letter: Founding Fathers believed in God

Tuesday, March 6, 2007 | 7:05 a.m.

A letter to the editor does not permit a full discussion of David Fredericks' observations, which were made in his March 3 letter, on the contributions of atheists. However, he falsely claims that Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and George Washington were all deists.

Deism is a belief in a supreme being "who does not intervene in the universe" and who does not "interact with humankind." A few words of the Founders themselves refute his claims:

The value of the contributions of both atheists and "believers" can be debated. The category in which to place Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington cannot. In their own words, these "skeptics" were not skeptical about God's involvement with humankind. And their "highly intelligent" contributions to this world are indisputable.

Cheri Jenkins, Las Vegas

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