I wouldn’t say were founded as a Christian nation as our founding documents don’t specifically mention Christ and that our authority in our Constituiion powers come from the people and not God, an Enlightement idea. However, there many christians founders who had a alot of influence so I would say we were a country with judeo christian influence.
The Declaration of Independence specifically cites that our rights come from God. The Founders were very particular on that point, because it assured that any government was subject to the authority of God.
The State is comprised of people; fallible, whimsical people. Our rights are an integral component of our humanity. The State cannot strip of us our rights, since they are God-given. The State can only actively force or passively coerce us into not exercising them. People-driven (or State granted) rights are not rights at all; they are privileges.
This is NOT what the Founders intended or designed for America.
History clearly shows that whenever a people reach a certain point of oppression, where working within the system does not achieve happiness or when freedoms are seriously broached, the people will rise up. This is a universal trait of humanity. The Founders were looking for an authority higher than any on Earth as justification for rising up - they chose God.
If you were to read the original State Constitutions you would find things like this from Delaware.
“ART. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit:
” I, A B. will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, submit to its constitution and laws, and do no act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be prejudiced.”
And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit:
” I, A B. do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.”
And all officers shall also take an oath of office.”
They didn’t have it in the Federal Constitution because they looked at such things as states rights. BVB
The government derives its power from the people. The people get their rights from a creator.
The enlightened part was that the govt is subordinate to the people.