The rest belonged to a variety of orthodox churches — Congregational, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, and others (though some of the founders who were members of these churches had somewhat unorthodox views). Many were ministers or had earned divinity degrees. And if you take the time to read what they wrote, both for public and private audiences, it is clear that they thought they were establishing a government based on biblical principles, including the ideas of inalienable rights (which had roots in medieval theology) enshrined in both the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of
...more
