John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America

One other of these laws deserves particular notice. In private, every family were free to worship the gods in their own way ; and in public, though certain forms were required, yet there was not any penalty annexed to the omission of them, as the punishment of offenses in this matter was left to the offended god. This, probably, was the source of that wise and humane toleration which does so much honour to the Romans, and reflects disgrace on almost every Christian nation.

John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" (1787-88)

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John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America

"Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind."

John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" (1787-88)

Text of the Preface at Constitution.org. Link to the Table of Contents of the entire work.

John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 16, 1814

"Cabalistic Christianity, which is Catholic Christianity, and which has prevailed for 1,500 years, has received a mortal wound, of which the monster must finally die. Yet so strong is his constitution, that he may endure for centuries before he expires."

John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 16, 1814

Scanned letter at The Library of Congress

John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America

"The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses."

John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" (1787-88)

Text of the Preface at Constitution.org. Link to the Table of Contents of the entire work.