This week we celebrate 237 years of existence. We celebrate a great experiment. Our founding fathers signed their death warrant on July 4, 1776. Would you have done the same?

When most Americans think of the founding fathers they think of eight or nine courageous guys, usually Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Hancock, and maybe a couple of others. But there were actually 57 men who signed their death warrant.

Our founders were not ignorant, Bible-thumping, gun-toting fools. They came from all walks of life. Some were lawyers, some were doctors, and some were career politicians. A large number of them made their income from agricultural work, whether it was a large plantation in the south or a small farm somewhere. They were a great cross-mix of the people who made up early America.

So, let’s kick the snot out of those men (and women) who gave everything for our ability and freedom to be ignorant today.

Today, revisionist historians and others would have us believe religion played a negative role in the founding of this country, or that our founding fathers didn’t want any part of religion in government. Lies, all lies.

Our founding fathers wanted freedom of religion and worship. They didn’t want to legislate that all must be Christians, but they wanted to ensure that God had a place and recognition in the founding of this great nation.

At our 150th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence, President Calvin Coolidge affirmed:

“No one can examine this record and escape the conclusion that in the great outline of its principles, the Declaration was the result of the religious teachings of the preceding period. … They are found in the texts, the sermons, and the writings of the early colonial clergy who were earnestly undertaking to instruct their congregations in the great mystery of how to live. … Placing every man on a plane where he acknowledged no superiors, where no one possessed any right to rule over him, he must inevitably choose his own rulers through a system of self-government.”

John Adams stated this about our “godless” nation:

“(Independence Day) 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

How does one spin that to Adams and others wanting nothing to do with God? It could only be because they have a personal agenda. But that is a piece for another day.

Adams, along with many other founding fathers, wanted us to give thanks to the God who gave us victory over the British, and gave us independence. Many of them were praying men, and if you read what they wrote, you would find that what the revisionist historians write is actually false.

As I searched the Internet for quotes from our founding fathers, I found hundreds of great quotes. When I added the word “religion,” something changed. The first three pages were filled with anti-Christian quotes from the founding fathers, posted mostly by atheist and agnostic groups – groups that want no part of religion. Interesting? Well, what else would you expect them to post?

It’s clear in the founders’ personal writings that they were godly men who wanted all people to be free to pursue a life of happiness and prosperity, worshiping (or not) freely, without having to make the same sacrifices they did.

So while you’re sitting there burning your burger or “getting your tan on” at the beach, think about those men who started this country and the principles upon which they founded it, and think about what they gave up for your freedom.

Do your own research. Don’t let “historians” ever rewrite history.

Happy Birthday and God Bless America.

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also an elected member of the Hart School Board. His commentary normally publishes Mondays.