Thomas:
As we are very off topic, I hope I can make this short. It is a common misconception that the founding fathers of the USA intended a Christian based society. Many, today, employ a very creative history in order to try to tell us that this was the case.
As was correctly pointed out, most of the founding fathers considered themselves deists. Thomas Jefferson, for example, did not attend an organized church. He believed that worship (for those who believed in a supreme being) was a personal practice; and, he, therefore, performed his form of worship at home. He also wrote his own version of the Bible. I have never read it; however, I understand that it is based upon a christian translation of the Bible, but with all of the references to miracles removed.
The movement, in the United States, towards a heavily Christian biased society, actually began in th early 1800's and reached its zenith in the mid to late 1800's. It was largely during this time that the revisionist historians created the myth that the founding fathers wanted a Christian based society, and would be upset at our present day interpretation of the meaning of separation of church and state.
Instead of quoting historical texts or statements, I think we can see this in a very simple example. During Jefferson's preidency, there was a move to eliminate Sunday mail deliveries (yes, mail was delivered seven days per week, at that time). Jefferson blocked the move, complainting that such action wouldbe an illegal violation of the separation of church and state.
The revisionists would have us believe that our present day understanding of the meaning of separation of church and state is far too strict and an aboration of what was intended by the founding fathers. A look back to their own words and actions shows us that the opposite is actually the case.
Cliff
