Many of the founding fathers were atheists or agnostics. The difference was Franklin, Jefferson, etc. were respectful of the role religious institutions played in a culture. They respected and shared the same values as those who were religious.
Today’s militant atheists lack respect. They disrespect religion and they disrespect freedom. They are vile radicals. Even if they believed in god they would still be radicals opposed to freedom and American traditions.
That's a falsehood taken as "truth" by far too many.
In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity. -- John Quincy Adams
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see. -- Benjamin Franklin
The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed. -- Patrick Henry
I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament. -- Benjamin Rush
Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizen. -- Daniel Webster
No they weren't, what is your list of prominent atheists from the founding Americans?
“Many of the founding fathers were atheists or agnostics.”
That’s simply not true.
M.E. Bradford researched the private papers of the signers of the Declaration, the framers of the Constitution and the men who ratified it, and it is the basis of his book ‘A Worthy Company’. The overwhelming majority were Christians, the few who were not (and they were few) were mostly Deists with Tom Paine and Ethan Allen arguably being agnostic or atheist.