Foundations of the American Revolution and Current Political Situation

This article is not Norse-Pagan, but all Americans, including Norse-Pagans need to understand the correct historical founding motives of the founding fathers and early American colonists to fight back against MEGA and Project 2025 rhetoric. As Norse-Pagans we need to invoke the knowledge based approach of Odin, to defeat our enemies.

Overview

The current political situation in the USA, particularly the move towards Christo-fascism and the erosion of checks and balances, starkly contrasts with the principles and intentions that founded the nation. The American Revolution, inspired by Enlightenment philosophy, sought to establish a government rooted in democracy, individual rights, and the separation of church and state. This stands in opposition to the current trajectory towards a government that integrates religious doctrine with state policy and undermines democratic norms.

Enlightenment Philosophy and the American Founding

The Enlightenment philosophy of the late 18th century emphasized reason, individual liberty, and the separation of church and state. Thinkers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire influenced the Founding Fathers, who envisioned a republic free from the tyrannies of both monarchy and state-sponsored religion.

1. Reason and Science: Enlightenment thought prioritized rationalism and scientific inquiry over religious dogma. This is reflected in the secular foundations of the American Constitution, which does not reference Christianity or any deity.
2. Separation of Powers: Inspired by Montesquieu, the Founders established a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Current trends toward weakening judicial independence and executive overreach threaten this balance.
3. Individual Rights: The Bill of Rights enshrines individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. Efforts to impose a single religious worldview through government policy directly undermine these freedoms.

The Intentions of the Founding Fathers

The Founding Fathers were clear in their intention to separate church and state. Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and James Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments exemplify their commitment to religious liberty and the prevention of state-sponsored religion.

1. Thomas Jefferson: Advocated for a “wall of separation between church and state” to ensure religious freedom and prevent religious tyranny.
2. James Madison: Opposed religious establishments as detrimental to both government and religion.

References to God in Founding Documents

When references to God do appear in founding documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, they typically invoke a Deistic concept of a Creator or Providence, reflecting Enlightenment influences rather than specific Christian doctrine. The term “Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence aligns with Deist beliefs in a rational, naturalistic view of divinity. Notably, Jesus is never mentioned in any of the founding documents, emphasizing the intention to create a secular government.

Early Colonial Groups and Their Agendas

The early colonists who settled in what would become the 13 colonies had diverse religious and social agendas, many of which were motivated by a desire to escape religious persecution in Europe and to establish communities where they could freely practice their beliefs without state interference.

1. New England Colonists:

• Puritans: Sought to build a “city upon a hill” based on their religious principles, but over time, their theocratic tendencies were moderated by the broader colonial experience and Enlightenment ideas.
• Pilgrims: Separatists who left England to practice their faith freely, contributing to the culture of religious tolerance in New England.

1. Pennsylvania Colonists:

• Quakers: Founded Pennsylvania under William Penn as a “Holy Experiment” based on religious tolerance and pacifism.
• Powwow Practitioners and Amish: Represented other minority religious groups seeking to live according to their beliefs without interference, contributing to Pennsylvania’s pluralistic society.

1. Southern Colonists:

• Catholics: Maryland was initially founded as a haven for Catholics facing persecution in Protestant England.
• Anglicans and Other Protestants: Dominated the southern colonies, but the region also saw the establishment of diverse religious communities seeking freedom from Europe’s religious conflicts.

Escaping European Religious Wars

Many colonists left Europe to escape the constant wars between different Christian denominations that plagued the continent. They sought to create a society where religious differences would not lead to conflict and where they could live according to their convictions without fear of persecution.

1. New England: The Pilgrims and Puritans fled from the Church of England’s intolerance and the religious conflicts in Europe.
2. Pennsylvania: Quakers and other religious minorities left Europe to escape persecution and to establish a community based on religious freedom and tolerance.
3. Maryland and Southern Colonies: Catholics and various Protestant groups sought refuge from the religious wars and intolerance of Europe.

Current Political Situation vs. Founding Principles

1. Integration of Religion and State: The current push towards a government influenced by Christian nationalism directly opposes the secular intentions of the Founding Fathers and the Enlightenment principles they followed.
2. Erosion of Checks and Balances: Actions that undermine the independence of the judiciary and concentrate power in the executive branch threaten the system of checks and balances essential to American democracy.
3. Threat to Individual Liberties: Policies that impose a particular religious doctrine infringe upon the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, echoing the very religious persecution early colonists sought to escape.

Conclusion

The current political trajectory in the USA, characterized by the erosion of checks and balances and the integration of religious doctrine into government policy, is antithetical to the principles that founded the nation. It undermines the Enlightenment ideals of reason, individual liberty, and the separation of church and state. It disregards the intentions of the Founding Fathers and the diverse motivations of early colonists who sought to escape religious persecution and establish a society based on freedom and tolerance. To honor the legacy of the American Revolution and the foundations of the United States, it is crucial to resist these trends and reaffirm the commitment to democratic principles and religious liberty.