From the earliest days of the republic, leaders recognized that self-government required more than brilliant constitutional design; it required a moral citizenry.
When Representative Mike Johnson ascended to the position of House Speaker in October 2023, he marked his first address by acknowledging his faith. “I believe that Scripture, the Bible, is very clear that God is the one that raises up those in authority,” the Louisiana Republican stated, echoing a sentiment of divine providence common throughout American history.
The response, however, was swift and sharp. Prominent commentators labeled him a “white evangelical Christian nationalist,” suggesting his faith was central to a dangerous political ideology. This reaction is not new; President George W. Bush faced similar scorn for calling Jesus Christ his favorite philosopher, as did Ronald Reagan for his own expressions of faith. In each instance, a public acknowledgment of faith was interpreted by critics as evidence of theocratic ambition.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, concerns about political polarization and the erosion of civic trust are widespread. Within this anxious climate, a narrative has emerged that casts conservative Christianity as a primary threat to the American experiment. Yet this view overlooks a crucial historical reality: far from being an enemy of democracy, Christianity has been one of its most vital allies.
From the nation’s inception, its leaders understood that self-government demanded more than a brilliant constitutional framework. John Adams famously declared, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People.” George Washington described religion and morality as “indispensable supports” for political prosperity. Even Thomas Jefferson, often considered the least pious founder, questioned whether the nation’s liberties could be secure without the conviction that they are a gift from God.
These founders recognized that liberty untethered from a divine source is fragile. As Catholic thinker George Weigel has observed, “Democracy is not a machine that can run by itself”; it requires the fuel of virtue that faith communities have long supplied. Theologian Richard John Neuhaus warned of the “naked public square,” a vacuum created when religion is removed, which he argued would inevitably be filled by other, less benevolent forces. Removing faith from public life risks stripping democracy of the moral resources that animate its commitments to human dignity and justice.
At its best, Christianity cultivates citizens capable of self-governance by teaching that all humans are made in God’s image, endowed with inherent dignity, and accountable to a higher moral law. This worldview can temper the lust for power by reminding both leaders and voters that their authority is not absolute. While adherents have certainly failed to live up to these ideals, the faith has also provided the moral impetus for profound social progress. The abolitionist and civil rights movements, for example, were largely powered by ideals rooted in Scripture.
This positive influence continues today. Beyond the headlines of political conflict, millions of Christians quietly strengthen the foundations of civil society by mentoring children, feeding the hungry, and caring for refugees. Studies consistently show that people of faith volunteer and donate to charity at higher rates than their secular counterparts, with churches providing billions in social support annually.
Stripping faith from the public square does not create a neutral utopia but rather a vacuum. If not filled by the virtues and restraints shaped by transcendent truths, it will be occupied by other ideologies less equipped to sustain a free people.
As America looks toward its 250th birthday, the choice is not between being a good Christian and a good citizen. The two callings are complementary. A healthy democracy relies on virtuous citizens who see their neighbors not as political enemies but as fellow human beings worthy of respect and persuasion. By forming such citizens, Christianity offers a vital contribution to our common future—one that should be welcomed, not marginalized.
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