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The [[Declaration of Independence]] acknowledges the existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were [[Deism|Deistic]].

The [[Declaration of Independence]] acknowledges the existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were [[Deism|Deistic]].

Many early Americans emigrated because of religious persecution in their home countries.  The American [[Founding Fathers]] adhered to various sects of Christianity ranging from Catholicism, Protestantism, and Deism, and recognized that Christian tradition in addition to other legal traditions should inform the Constitution.

Many early Americans emigrated because of religious persecution in their home countries.  The American [[Founding Fathers]] adhered to various sects of Christianity ranging from Catholicism, Protestantism.  Many were also [[Deists|Deistic]].

Based upon these beliefs, the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  The first clause is referred to as the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause.

Based upon these beliefs, the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  The first clause is referred to as the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause.