John Adams: Independence Day Commemorated...to God Almighty

On July 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by a unanimous vote. We celebrate Independence Day on July 4, but the paper that enabled it was actually born on the 2nd. The next day, July 3, John Adams wrote this to his wife Abigail:

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.


How well does that quote fit with the opinion that most of our founders were atheists?

Read the entire letter here.