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Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (14 of 14): How God Was Written Out of the US Constitution  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
Benjamin Franklin’s plea for prayer at the Constitutional Convention—along with Washington’s lack of support and the minimal votes—forms one of Bercot’s most striking moments; what picture of God’s role in public life is Franklin assuming, and what does the convention’s response suggest about the spiritual posture of the nation’s leadership?
Another way to ask: What does Franklin seem to believe about God’s role in public decisions when he asks for prayer, and what does the convention’s weak response say about the leaders’ spiritual attitude?

Direct Answer Franklin assumes God actively governs nations and should be publicly sought for wisdom and protection; the convention’s refusal suggests a leadership posture that did not see humble dependence on God as necessary for founding the new government.

Support from Transcript:

  • Franklin asks why they have not “humbly appl[ied] to the father of lights to illuminate our understandings.”
  • He recalls that during the war they had “daily prayer… for divine protection,” and says the prayers “were graciously answered,” citing “a superintending providence.”
  • Franklin states, “God governs in the affairs of men,” and argues an “empire can[not] rise without his aid.”
  • He quotes Scripture: “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain,” warning they will fare like “the builders of Babel” without God’s help.
  • He formally moves for daily prayers and clergy to officiate.
  • Bercot highlights the reaction: Washington “did not support this motion,” and only “three or four people” voted for it; Franklin later wrote the convention thought prayer “unnecessary except three or four persons.”
Discussion Follow-ups How does this moment complicate both the claim that the founders were broadly devout and the claim that they were uniformly hostile to religion?

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