Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Secular Coalition of America are criticizing former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for her belief that America has a Christian history.

"Lest anyone try to convince you that God should be separated from the state, our founding fathers, they were believers," Palin told a Christian womens' conference. "In Washington's farewell address, he wrote 'Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, religion, faith, morality are indispensible supports.'"

But Paul Fidalgo, the communications manager for the Secular Coalition for America, told ABC News that Palin has misunderstood the founders' purpose on matters of church and state.

"While the founders' views on religion varied from person to person, there is no doubt that they believed strongly that religion had no place in government," Fidalgo said. "John Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli which stated in no uncertain terms that 'the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.'"

"Our Constitution established a secular government and has no mention of Jesus, Christianity, or a god of any kind, despite the false message spread by figures such as Sarah Palin who claim that America was founded as a Christian nation," Fidalgo continued.

"It's incredibly hypocritical that Sarah Palin, who disapproves of government involvement in just about anything, now suddenly wants the government to help people be religious," Barry Lynn, the executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told ABC News.