America 250: "We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident"
America 250: "We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident"
Dear Friends and Patriots,
As we approach Independence Day 2026 and celebrate America 250—the 250th anniversary of our nation's birth—let us pause to reflect on the profound truths that define us. On July 4, 1776, our Founding Fathers declared: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
John Trumbull's 1819 painting "Declaration of Independence" depicts the Committee of Five presenting the draft to Congress.
John Trumbull's 1819 painting "Declaration of Independence" depicts the Committee of Five presenting the draft to Congress.
These words were not secular abstractions. They sprang from deep Christian biblical doctrines. The Bible teaches that every human being bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27), grounding the principle of equality and inherent dignity. Our rights come not from the government but from our Creator—a truth echoed throughout the founding era. The overwhelming majority of the signers were professing Christians from Protestant traditions, and biblical principles profoundly shaped colonial charters, sermons, and political thought.
America's founders repeatedly acknowledged divine providence. The Revolutionary generation viewed their struggle for liberty as aligned with scriptural calls for justice, resistance to tyranny, and covenantal faithfulness.
The United States Commissioners at the Treaty of Paris 1783 Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, Henry Laurens, and David Hartley. Source AMAC
The Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Holy Trinity
Two years after the Declaration, the Revolutionary War concluded with the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783. This definitive peace treaty formally recognized the United States as a sovereign nation. Its very first line invokes Christian faith explicitly:
“In the Name of the most holy and undivided Trinity...”
The preamble continues by referencing “Divine Providence” disposing the hearts of leaders to restore peace. This was no casual flourish. It was the standard diplomatic language of the era rooted in Christian Europe, but its placement in the document that birthed our nation is telling. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay signed on behalf of the United States alongside the British representative.
Treaty of Paris 1783 document: Treaty of Paris, National Archives. Want to know more about the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War? Click on the image above
This invocation of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—stands as a powerful historical witness. The nation that emerged from the fires of independence did so under the acknowledgment of the God of the Bible. Far from a “godless” founding, our origins were steeped in a Judaeo-Christian worldview: the rule of law, separation of powers (inspired by biblical principles of human sinfulness and checks on authority), and the sanctity of conscience and liberty.
The Center for Garden State Families has long affirmed that families, rooted in biblical truth, are essential to a strong Garden State and true freedom. On this Independence Day, let us recommit to those self-evident truths. Teach them to your children. Live them in your communities. Defend them in the public square.
May God continue to bless America as we celebrate America 250. Let freedom ring!
In Christ and for our Republic,
Rev. Gregory Quinlan
Founder and President
Center for Garden State Families
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of independence in 2026, we are reminded that true freedom is never free. Our Founders fought for liberty rooted in faith, moral responsibility, and the natural family. Today, that foundation is under relentless attack right here in New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
At the Center for Garden State Families, we are in the trenches every day:
Battling bills like the recently passed A2218/S2260 that threaten free speech, parental rights, and the protection of our children.
Fighting in Trenton and D.C. to defend the natural family, religious liberty, and evidence-based policies that put children first.
Mobilizing families, churches, and citizens to reclaim our state and nation for faith, freedom, and the future.
Summer is always a challenging time for donations, and this year has been even tougher. We need your help now more than ever to sustain this critical work.
Will you honor America’s 250th birthday with a special gift today?
$17.76 — a powerful symbolic amount for our nation’s milestone
$25, $50, $100 — to fuel our daily advocacy
$250 — a leadership gift to help us push back hard in the months ahead
Even better: please consider making your gift monthly. A recurring donation provides the steady support we need to fight year-round without interruption.
Thank You!