The Forgotten Story Behind America’s Most Cherished Freedoms

By Charles Knight

Everyone knows the drama of 1776 — the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson’s pen, and the thunder of revolution. Yet the story of the Bill of Rights is just as dramatic, and in many ways more essential to the daily life of every American. It is the story of how a young nation, fresh from war, confronted its deepest fears about power, tyranny, and human freedom — and chose liberty. Still, many Americans today do not even know what the Bill of Rights looks like, who wrote it, or that it is simply the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

The Origin: A Fight Over the Constitution Itself

When the Constitutional Convention met in 1787, the mission was clear: repair the failing Articles of Confederation. The Articles lacked taxing power, a strong executive, national courts, and the ability to enforce laws. The states were drifting apart, and the Revolution they had fought to win was in danger of unraveling. The Convention produced a bold new national charter — the Constitution. But something was missing. The document, as finished in September 1787, did not include a bill of rights.

To many Americans — farmers, merchants, frontiersmen, veterans who had just fought a king — this was unthinkable. They feared the new federal government could become as oppressive as the monarchy they had overthrown. These critics, called Anti-Federalists, demanded written guarantees of individual liberty. Without them, several states refused to ratify the Constitution.

The Great Debate: Liberty vs. Central Power

Federalists: Hamilton, Madison, Jay

The Federalists believed a bill of rights was unnecessary — even risky. Since the Constitution granted the federal government only specific powers, they argued it could not infringe rights it was never given. Alexander Hamilton warned that listing rights might imply that any unlisted right did not exist.

Federalists believed in:
• A strong central government
• The ability to tax
• National defense
• Checks and balances
• A large republic capable of controlling factions

They trusted the structure of the Constitution itself, not a list of rights, to protect liberty.

Anti-Federalists: Mason, Henry, Adams

Anti-Federalists distrusted centralized power and demanded written protections for:
• Speech and religion
• Arms
• Jury trials
• Due process
• Protection against quartering
• Protection from unreasonable searches
• Ban on cruel and unusual punishment

George Mason refused to sign the Constitution because it lacked a bill of rights — an act of courage that helped reshape American history.

Proto-Parties Before Parties

Formal political parties didn’t exist yet, but factions did. Early leaders — Washington, Adams, Jefferson — warned against dividing the nation into parties, yet the battle over the Bill of Rights became the seedbed of America’s first party system.

The Turning Point: State Demands for Liberty

As states met to ratify the Constitution, many agreed only on one condition: amendments must follow immediately. Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, and others insisted on formal guarantees of liberty. The fate of the republic depended on compromise.

Who Wrote the Bill of Rights?

Ironically, the man who first opposed it — James Madison. At the start, Madison believed a bill of rights unnecessary. But the fierce debate changed him. He realized the amendments were essential to:

• Reflect the will of the people
• Hold the states together
• Protect liberty for generations

In the spring of 1789, now a congressman, Madison took up his pen.

Madison’s Masterpiece

Madison studied:
• The Virginia Declaration of Rights
• English common law
• Colonial charters
• Proposed amendments from state conventions

From centuries of Anglo-American liberty, he distilled 19 amendments. Congress cut them to 12, and the states ratified 10 on December 15, 1791.

These became The Bill of Rights — the architectural pillars of American freedom.

The Thinking Behind It: Rights Come From God

The Bill of Rights rests on foundational truths:

1. Rights come from God, not government.
   Government cannot grant freedom — it can only protect or violate it.

2. Power must be chained.
   The new federal government was strong, and citizens demanded strong limits.

3. The individual is sovereign.
   The amendments protect people, not the government.

4. Liberty requires written guarantees.
   Americans did not trust verbal assurances; they trusted law.

The Ten Pillars of Freedom

1. Religion, speech, press, assembly, petition

2. Right to keep and bear arms

3. No quartering of soldiers

4. Protection against unreasonable searches

5. Due process, property rights, no double jeopardy

6. Speedy public trial by jury

7. Jury trial in civil cases

8. No cruel or unusual punishment

9. Rights retained by the people

10. Powers reserved to states and the people

These are not merely legal clauses; they are the backbone of American liberty.

The Legacy: America’s Shield Against Tyranny

The Bill of Rights has shaped every generation.
Abolitionists used it.
Women’s suffrage leaders invoked it.
Civil rights advocates relied on it.
Veterans swore an oath to defend it.
Courts interpret it daily.

It remains the most powerful statement of human liberty ever written.

A Nation Born Twice

America was born in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence.
But it was Born Again in 1791 with the Bill of Rights.

The first birth declared freedom.
The second secured it.

Together, they form the moral and constitutional foundation of the United States.

Were the Founders and First Congress Christians?

Not all — but the overwhelming majority were Christians in background, culture, or belief.

1. The Majority: Mainstream Christians

Most signers of the Constitution and members of the First Congress belonged to historic Christian denominations:

• Anglican/Episcopal: Washington, Madison, Randolph
• Congregationalist: Sherman, Ellsworth
• Presbyterian: McHenry, Blount
• Lutheran: Muhlenberg (1st Speaker)
• Methodist/Baptist/Reformed: Many others

They believed in God, Providence, prayer, moral accountability, and Christian ethics.

2. A Significant Minority: Christian-Rationalists or Deists

A smaller number leaned toward Enlightenment rationalism:

• Benjamin Franklin
• Gouverneur Morris
• James Wilson
• John Adams (Unitarian)
• Thomas Jefferson (not a signer, but influential)

Even these men were not atheists — all believed in a moral Creator.

3. A Few: Mixed or Uncertain Beliefs

Some left few theological writings, but none were atheists, and none belonged to non-Christian religions.

The First Congress that approved the Bill of Rights was overwhelmingly Protestant in composition. Madison himself — trained in theology — believed rights were “inalienable” because they came from God.

When a Nation Founded by God-Fearing Men Becomes Religiously Divided

The Founders grounded liberty in divine truth. They believed rights were God-given, and a free republic required a moral people. But what happens when a nation founded on faith becomes religiously fragmented?

1. Morality Becomes Relative

For the Founders, morality was absolute. When belief in God fades, moral truth becomes subjective — a matter of personal preference or political fashion.

Madison warned:
“We have staked the future of our civilization on our ability to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments.”

Without that anchor, culture loses its compass.

2. Freedom Becomes Fragile

Washington called religion and morality “indispensable supports.”
Adams said the Constitution was made only for a “moral and religious people.”

When virtue declines, government grows to control behavior.
Freedom shrinks when morality shrinks.

3. Politics Becomes Moral Warfare

Shared values once united the nation — truth, justice, duty, accountability to God. Without that shared framework, politics becomes a clash of rival moral visions. “Right vs. wrong” becomes “my truth vs. your truth.”

History shows societies unravel when politics becomes a substitute for religion.

4. Government Redefines Rights

When rights no longer come from God, they come from the state — meaning they can be altered or removed. A nation that forgets the divine origin of rights eventually allows them to be redefined by those in power.

This is how free nations quietly lose their freedom.

5. A House Divided

As faith declines, division deepens. Christians see the nation drifting; secular citizens see Christian morality as an obstacle. Without a shared moral language, unity becomes fragile.

Lincoln’s warning stands:
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

6. The Other Possibility: Renewal

Yet America has known drift — and revival.
The First Great Awakening.
The Second Great Awakening.
The Revival of 1857.
The post-WWII resurgence.
The Jesus Movement 1960s
The Turning Point "Charlie Kirk" campus revivals today.

Nations drift — but God restores.
Light dims — but it returns.

Where America Stands Today

The future will be shaped not by unbelievers, but by believers. If Christians remain silent, retreat, or compromise, decline accelerates. But if Christians stand with courage, conviction, and grace — revival becomes likely.

Outcome 1: Decline

• Growing moral chaos
• Expanding government power
• Erosion of rights
• Intensifying division
• Collapse from within

Outcome 2: Renewal

• Revival is possible
• Culture can be restored
• Families can rebuild moral foundations
• Government can be corrected
• Liberty can endure

Nations fall when the righteous are silent.
Nations are restored when the righteous stand.

Benjamin Franklin’s challenge still echoes:
“A Republic… if you can keep it.”

Keeping it requires faith, virtue, courage, and the unshakable conviction that liberty is sacred because it comes from God.

 

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

America’s First Ten Amendments

Ratified December 15, 1791

Amendment I — The Liberty Amendment

The foundation of free society
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This amendment secures the essential freedoms that define the American spirit: worship, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and petition. It is the heartbeat of a self-governing people.

Amendment II — The Security of a Free State

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

A guarantee rooted in the belief that free citizens must have the means to defend themselves—and their liberty.

Amendment III — The Home as a Castle

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Born from colonial memory, this amendment protects the sanctity and privacy of the home.

Amendment IV — The Right to be Secure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

A shield against arbitrary government power—requiring cause, clarity, and constitutional restraint.

Amendment V — The Great Protections

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury… nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy… nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself… nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law… nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Due process. Silence as a right. No double jeopardy. Private property protected. This amendment is a cornerstone of American justice.

Amendment VI — The Rights of the Accused

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial… to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation… to be confronted with the witnesses against him… to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor… and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Fair trials are the hallmark of a free nation. This amendment makes justice accessible, transparent, and balanced.

Amendment VII — Civil Justice Preserved

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved…

By protecting jury trials in civil cases, the Founders placed the people—not government—at the center of justice.

Amendment VIII — The Boundaries of Punishment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

A firm line between justice and abuse. Punishment must be lawful, measured, and humane.

Amendment IX — Rights Beyond the Page

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

A reminder that the people’s liberties extend far beyond what can be listed. Freedom is abundant—not limited.

Amendment X — The Amendment of Balance and Restraint

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution… are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

This amendment defines the American system: a federal government of limited powers, and sovereignty shared with the states and citizens.

WHY THE BILL OF RIGHTS STILL MATTERS

More than two centuries later, these ten amendments remain the backbone of American liberty. They protect the individual against the state, enshrine natural rights, and ensure that free people govern themselves—not the other way around.

The Bill of Rights is not merely a historical document.
It is the architecture of American freedom, the compass of our legal system, and the voice of a nation that insists—always—on liberty.

Notes and References on The Bill of Rights

Primary Sources
• James Madison, Amendments to the Constitution, June 8, 1789 – Madison’s original proposal of 19 amendments presented to the House of Representatives.
• The Journals of the First Congress of the United States, 1789 – Congressional debates and revisions that shaped the final Bill of Rights.
• The Federalist Papers (No. 10, 39, 45, 84) by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton – Arguments explaining why some Federalists initially believed a bill of rights was unnecessary.
• George Mason, Virginia Declaration of Rights, June 12, 1776 – The single most influential document on Madison’s draft.
• State Ratifying Convention Records (Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina) – Each includes lists of recommended amendments submitted as conditions for ratifying the Constitution.
• The Constitution of the United States of America, 1787 – Ratified prior to the addition of the first ten amendments.
• The Bill of Rights, Ratified December 15, 1791 – Official text of Amendments I–X.

Secondary Sources
• Bernard Schwartz, The Great Rights of Mankind: A History of the American Bill of Rights, Oxford University Press – Comprehensive narrative on origins and intellectual roots.
• Akhil Reed Amar, The Bill of Rights: Creation and Reconstruction, Yale University Press – Explores how the Bill of Rights was understood in the founding era and after the Civil War.
• Joseph J. Ellis, Founding Brothers – Contextual history of the Founders’ interactions and political struggles, including debates over ratification.
• Pauline Maier, Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787–1788 – Definitive account of state convention debates over the Constitution and demands for amendments.
• Gordon S. Wood, The Creation of the American Republic, 1776–1787 – Intellectual and political foundations leading to the Constitutional Convention.
• Carol Berkin, A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution – Clear overview of the Constitutional Convention and early debates over rights.
• Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution – Pulitzer Prize–winning explanation of constitutional meaning and founding-era political thought.
• Merrill Jensen, The Articles of Confederation – Background on the weaknesses of the Articles that drove the push toward a stronger federal government.
• Library of Congress, A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation – Digitized collection of congressional debates, drafts, and early American legislative records.

Contextual Historical Works
• William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England – The most influential legal text for the Founders, heavily shaping Madison’s understanding of natural rights.
• John Locke, Two Treatises of Government – Philosophical foundation for natural rights, liberty, and limited government.
• Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws – Foundational work on separation of powers and political liberty.
• English Bill of Rights (1689) – Precedent for written guarantees limiting government power after the Glorious Revolution.

Notes and References (Were all signers of the Bills of Rights and Constitution Christians)

1. Holmes, David L. The Faiths of the Founding Fathers. Oxford University Press, 2006.
   Thorough examination of the religious beliefs of major founders, distinguishing between orthodox Christians, Christian-Deists, and Enlightenment rationalists.

2. Gaustad, Edwin S., and Leigh E. Schmidt. The Religious History of America. HarperOne, 2004.
   Provides detailed denominational affiliations of colonial and early national leaders, including signers of the Constitution and members of the First Congress.

3. Meacham, Jon. American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation. Random House, 2006.
   Explores how Christian ideas, biblical language, and Providence shaped the political vision of the founding era without establishing a formal national church.

4. Hutson, James H. Religion and the Founding of the American Republic. Library of Congress, 1998.
   Primary-source-rich account showing the overwhelmingly Christian culture of the founding generation and the belief in rights derived from God.

5. Frazer, Gregg L. The Religious Beliefs of America’s Founders: Reason, Revelation, Revolution. University Press of Kansas, 2012.
   Categorizes many key figures (Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Wilson) as “theistic rationalists,” blending Christian ethics with Enlightenment skepticism.

6. Noll, Mark A., Nathan O. Hatch, and George M. Marsden. The Search for Christian America. Crossway Books, 1983.
   Analyzes the extent to which the founders held orthodox Christian theology versus cultural Christianity.

7. Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. Simon & Schuster, 2003.
   Describes Franklin’s belief in Providence, prayer, and virtue while acknowledging his skepticism toward doctrinal orthodoxy.

8. Journals of the First Federal Congress, 1789–1791. Johns Hopkins University Press.
   Primary-source record showing the religious composition and statements of the representatives who debated and passed the Bill of Rights.

9. Witte, John Jr., and Joel Nichols. Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment. Routledge, 2016.
   Explains how Christian principles—natural rights, moral law, covenantal government—influenced the drafting of constitutional protections.

10. Dreisbach, Daniel L. Reading the Bible with the Founding Fathers. Oxford University Press, 2017.
    Documents how biblical language and Christian moral concepts infused political thought among both Federalists and Anti-Federalists.