One point being pushed by some folks on the right is the notion that America is a Christian nation. Whether this claim is true or not depends what is meant by the ambiguous term.
If the term means that Christianity plays an important role in American history, values, and that many Americans profess to be members of this faith, then the answer is an obvious “yes.” Many of the founders were Christian deists and showed a clear belief in God. Also, the political philosophy that America is based upon includes strong Lockean elements and Locke’s theory is based quite strongly on God. So far, so good and easy.
However, the folks that claim that America is a Christian nation seem to mean more than this. In general their view seems to involve claims that the founders held the same views that they themselves hold. This does not seem to be supported by the historical evidence. To check on this, do as David Barton advocates: go read all of the original writings of Jefferson, Adams, Paine, Franklin and so on. But, do what Barton does not seem to do: be sure to consider the full text of the documents rather than merely focusing on a specific quote or two. You will find reference to God, but you will not find the sort of Christianity being endorsed by the likes of Palin, Bachmann and Barton. I do not expect you to take my word on this-get the texts and read them thoroughly and completely with an objective mind.
The folks that claim America is a Christian nation also tend to hold this as more than a description but also as a prescription. To be specific, they contend that since America is a Christian nation, then we should change our laws to reflect this. Abortion should be outlawed, same sex marriage should be banned and usury should not be allowed. I am, of course, kidding about the last one. Usury is just fine-these folks are not going to shut down the banking industry (which is but one sign of how consistently Christian many of the folks are).
Even if it is assumed that these views are truly Christian, there is an obvious problem. America is a democracy. Now, if it is assumed that America is a Christian nation and it is assumed that America is a democracy, it would seem to follow that this Christian nation accepts things that certain Christians claim go against Christianity. If people continue to democratically support views that certain Christians oppose, should we abandon democracy in favor of imposing a certain set of religious views? I, of course, think we should not.
That is one rather serious problem with having an official state religion (or something close to it)-it tends to be rather inimical to democracy-something the founders were well aware of. So, insofar as we favor democracy over theocracy, we are not a Christian nation. Rather, we are a democratic nation with the notion of religious freedom (and freedom from religion) as a fundamental principle.
“…you will not find the sort of Christianity being endorsed by the likes of Palin, Bachmann and Barton.”
Mike, can you provide even one reference to a particular “sort” of Christianity endorsed by Sarah Palin? I would frankly like to know how it differs, for example, from the type of Christianity endorsed by President Obama and Reverend Wright.
It could be argued that Palin does not, in fact, subscribe to a particular sort of Christianity. After all, she does not seem to have a clear theological theory, but rather expresses various views about creationism, same sex-marriage, God and the Constitution and so on. She does, however, seem to consistently take the view that God is active in our lives, thus putting her at odds with the deist views of many of the founders.
Obama, likewise, does not seem to have a developed theological theory. Wright might well have a developed theological framework, but I confess that I have not studied the man’s works.
“thus putting her at odds with the deist views of many of the founders.”
Few of the founders were deists. Franklin most definitely was; washington most defiinitely was not.
Stop trying to remake the founders in your image.
TJ,
It differs because of Mike’s astounding partisanship.
I’m just wondering how you can have both freedom OF religion and freedom FROM religion? Do we also get freedom from irreligion?
What do you think of the argument that many of our freedoms come from Christianity in the first place, and are protected by the religious identity of the nation? Doesn’t it say somewhere in your constitution (I am British, but we claim the same Christian identity) that you are one nation under God or something?
Wouldn’t democratic rule without recogntion of a ‘higher power/authority become even more than it is another manifestation of ‘might is right’ and the majority gets what the majority wants? If the majority wanted to get rid of religion, what then? Another totalitarian state, maybe akin to communism? What WOULD you do with the people who know they know God and insist on talking about Him as close friend or family? It might seem a long way off to you at the moment, and if the evangelicals are anything to go by it might never happen (thank God) but what if it did, in a few generations’ time? What would you do with them, if the majority, insisting on a ‘right’ to freedom from religion, made reliigion illegal?
And where does your idea of a ‘right’ come from in the first place, and what is the authority by which it is protected?
The terrors of an evil majority actually reflect the strength of the democratic system over other forms of government; what we need a majority to do, other systems can accomplish with less.
Democracy is really just a cynical bet that crazy people will stay in the minority. Representative government and a constitution are just added defenses.
I guess my point is that if things ever get bad enough in a democracy that it becomes an Evil Empire, any other form of government would probably have long since succumbed to the same forces.
Whether the founding fathers were Christian or not is a debate which can be left for eternity. The fact of the matter is that we are now living in a time when practicing the Christian faith is looked upon with increasing disdain. Whatever they may have personally believed I am pretty certain the founding fathers did not wish to limit the free exercise of religion within the nation. Yet time and again legisaltion is raised to make exercise of faith in the public square against the law.
What sort of disdain do you mean? Christianity seems to be doing reasonable well, although specific churches have been having a tough time of it (like the Catholic church and its self-inflicted problems).
The founders were quite clear about religious freedom, so I agree with you on that point. But, what laws are you referring to? While there have been restrictions in regards to state property, this does not seem to infringe on religious liberty. Rather, it seems consistent with the notion that the state is not supposed to endorse any particular faith.
Good point about usury. I always mentions that to my Christian friends. The Muslims do much better at keeping away from that sin. That having been said, like Arabia, America reflects the influence of its predominant religion in it’s laws.
“The Muslims do much better at keeping away from that sin.”
Not true at all. Google: Hawala. It’s essentially a world-wide banking system used by Muslims to bypass exchange rates and make massive profits; it’s also a central way to finance terrorism. The brokers get a cut…
Notice how Mike again, just like he does with conservative political candidates, uses aspects of Chritianity to make Christians look bad. He does this by arguing that the aspects are good, but Christians are not good because they don’t follow those “good” rules closely enough. If one didn’t know better, you’d think Mike were actually an advocate of Christianity and American neoconservatism. But really what is happening is a clever argument employed in the hopes that people won’t look a bit deeper. His arguments, when examined, actually amount to pro-Christian and conservative arguments. His arguments are essentially ad-hominems against groups of people, and sometimes individuals, such as Sarah Palin.
That’s why I argue that Mike is a sophist. His arguments on politics and religion are designed to be clever, not enlightening, make a Christian wince and feel bad about himself, perhaps waver a bit and suddenly become an advocate of gay marriage–because Christians should be tolerant of everything right? and they shouldn’t use their votes to affect political situations, only atheists should vote their conscience, and their conscience always tells them they should vote against anything that hints of Christian values, because to do otherwise would promote religion, which we all know our founders would never do. Right?
I remember watching a YouTube video where a guy went totally ballistic about people using the phrase “Christian deist.” Does it mean culturally Christian but without the necessary theological stance to be religiously Christian? The terms seem at odds to me.
Mike, America is a Republic, not a Democracy. Our Founding Fathers knew the dangers of Democracy–the ruthless power of the mob which is actually worse than most dictators.
I digress.
Imagine a current-day president giving the following speech on Thanksgiving:
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
Technically, yes. However, the popular usage of “democracy” seems acceptable.
http://soldiercitizen.wordpress.com/
Article I wrote:
My friend, Dr. Mike LaBossiere, recently wrote an article exploring America’s Christian heritage and ethos. He asks the question: Is America a Christian nation?
Jonathan Edwards
Those who believe America is a Christian nation usually point to the writings of our founding fathers as proof that America is Christian. Those who state that America is not Christian argue that America is a democracy (it’s a Republic, but that’s another article) and that for the country to be considered Christian, it would essentially have to be a theocracy.
Those who point to the accepted virtue of separating church from the state in America say this tenet prevents America from being a Christian or any other type of religious nation. They are wrong.
Consider: Most modern Christians would agree that it is the individuals choice that allows for true conversion to Christianity. Were it state law that all citizens must be Christians, it’s safe to say that a higher percentage of people than we see in present-day America would be false or “shallow” Christians. Many of Jesus’ teachings communicate the importance of inner change and he hammers those who pretend to be pious by praying in front of people or letting everyone know how generous they are. So separating the church from the state is not only desirable for the state, it is desirable for the individual and the church.
Remember one of the fundamental questions posed in the movie, A Clockwork Orange? Can man truly be considered “good” if he has no other option but to do what is considered good? We must ask the same question about Christianity here on Earth. Is a man a Christian or a Muslim if his government lets him be nothing else? The answer would lie in the innermost thoughts of that man, not in the codices of state law.
And yet, despite no laws requiring a man label himself a Christian, we have laws that are firmly rooted in historic Christian ethic. Those who bemoan the posting of the Ten Commandments in American courtrooms should ask themselves: Which one of the Commandments do you disagree with? Even most Atheists in America are led by Christian culture.
Another example is the American Army. It is a volunteer Army. It does no longer drafts people for compulsory service. An army composed of people who want to be there is a much more effective army than one made up of people dragged from their living rooms kicking and screaming. It is the same with America’s religion. You are not drafted into Christianity, and yet the nation is composed of a majority of people who call themselves Christians and for the most part obey Christian ethics. This makes for a more effective Christianity and nation overall. Those who would question my statement that Americans obey Christian ethics and thus offer the opposite as proof that we are not a Christian nation should visit “Muslim” nations. I’ve visited several. I can assure you the nations of Islam do a far worse job in following their own rules than Americans do following Christian rules. But don’t take my word for it; take a vacation to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, or just about any other you choose.
Our nation’s success and attitudes is so bound up in historic Christian values, so intertwined in our minds, that we barely recognize the fact. Max Weber, perhaps the West’s most revered sociologist, stated in, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, that American and European capitalism are not so much a construct of a “system” but of an attitude created by Calvinism. The Protestant Work Ethic is the power that drove the West at warp speed past its Eastern competitors, who prefer lounging on pillows, drinking tea, and watching the world go by. That same Calvinism found the mind of a man whom some consider to be America’s greatest individual (or maybe a close second to Ben Franklin), Jonathan Edwards–writer of The End For Which God Created the World, and the preacher famous for the sermon: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Far from a mystic, Edwards studied with great interest the works of Isaac Newton and even wrote his own scientific books that would probably leave todays 25 year old “rationalist” baffled.
A problem with the question of our nation’s Christianity is a confusion in the use of the words “nation” and “state”. One of the definitions of nation in Merriam-Webster is:
a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by relatively large size and independent status
A state is defined as:
one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government
So a state is part of a nation, but not its whole. Indeed, I believe our state is not Christian, but our nation is. The fact that we choose to separate the church from the state merely means that anyone is free not to be a Christian. And that’s just how this Christian nation wants it.
This is posted before edits but I’m in a hurry.
Patrick Henry
Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
–The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii.
“The Bible … is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.”
–Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry, p. 402.
George Washington
1st U.S. President
“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
John Adams
2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”
–Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9.
“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
–Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.”
–Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.
Thomas Jefferson
3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event.”
–Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237.
“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.”
–The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, p. 385.
John Hancock
1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.”
–History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.
Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Unites States Constitution
“Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.
That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see;
But I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure.”
–Benjamin Franklin wrote this in a letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale University on March 9, 1790.
Samuel Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Father of the American Revolution
“And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace.”
–As Governor of Massachusetts, Proclamation of a Day of Fast, March 20, 1797.
James Madison
4th U.S. President
“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”
–America’s Providential History, p. 93.
James Monroe
5th U.S. President
“When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good.”
–Monroe made this statement in his 2nd Annual Message to Congress, November 16, 1818.
John Quincy Adams
6th U.S. President
“The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’ (Isaiah 52:10).”
–Life of John Quincy Adams, p. 248.
William Penn
Founder of Pennsylvania
“I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself.”
–Treatise of the Religion of the Quakers, p. 355.
Roger Sherman
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution
“I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance equal in power and glory. That the scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. That God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, so as thereby he is not the author or approver of sin. That he creates all things, and preserves and governs all creatures and all their actions, in a manner perfectly consistent with the freedom of will in moral agents, and the usefulness of means. That he made man at first perfectly holy, that the first man sinned, and as he was the public head of his posterity, they all became sinners in consequence of his first transgression, are wholly indisposed to that which is good and inclined to evil, and on account of sin are liable to all the miseries of this life, to death, and to the pains of hell forever.
I believe that God having elected some of mankind to eternal life, did send his own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the gospel offer: also by his special grace and spirit, to regenerate, sanctify and enable to persevere in holiness, all who shall be saved; and to procure in consequence of their repentance and faith in himself their justification by virtue of his atonement as the only meritorious cause.
I believe a visible church to be a congregation of those who make a credible profession of their faith in Christ, and obedience to him, joined by the bond of the covenant.
I believe that the souls of believers are at their death made perfectly holy, and immediately taken to glory: that at the end of this world there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a final judgement of all mankind, when the righteous shall be publicly acquitted by Christ the Judge and admitted to everlasting life and glory, and the wicked be sentenced to everlasting punishment.”
–The Life of Roger Sherman, pp. 272-273.
Benjamin Rush
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution
“The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!”
–The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, pp. 165-166.
“Christianity is the only true and perfect religion, and that in proportion as mankind adopts its principles and obeys its precepts, they will be wise and happy.”
–Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798.
“I know there is an objection among many people to teaching children doctrines of any kind, because they are liable to be controverted. But let us not be wiser than our Maker.
If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into all the world would have been unnecessary. The perfect morality of the gospel rests upon the doctrine which, though often controverted has never been refuted: I mean the vicarious life and death of the Son of God.”
–Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798.
John Witherspoon
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Clergyman and President of Princeton University
“While we give praise to God, the Supreme Disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh … If your cause is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts.
What follows from this? That he is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind.
Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy of his country.”
–Sermon at Princeton University, “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men,” May 17, 1776.
Alexander Hamilton
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution
“I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man.”
–Famous American Statesmen, p. 126.
Yes, the founders expressed religious views. However, this does not seem to entail that the United States is a Christian nation. After all, they could have just laid down a theocracy or simply made it crystal clear that the US was to be a Christian nation. They did, after all, write the Constitution.
I do not believe that a religion be mandated by a theocratic state for that religion to still define that nation. Like I said in my post, the US Army is all volunteer–and yet it’s still called an Army.
Just because the State does not mandate Christianity, does not mean we are not a Christian nation. What would it take for the nation to be defined as Christian? A lack of free-choice in regards to religious practices? Was England, under the Church of England, a Christian nation?
The ability of man to chosse what he believes is central to Christianity. No man is “saved” by a government mandate. A central tenet of enlightened Christianity is that a man is responsible for his own fate: He can believe or not believe. God will provide the consequences for the choice.
What are the necessary and sufficient conditions for being a Christian nation?
Yes, I’m asking you, since you said we were not a Christian nation.
I’ll need to write another blog on that. 🙂
To site a couple reasons they didn’t…
Jefferson
“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose.”
– to Baron von Humboldt, 1813
Washington
“Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by the difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be depreciated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society.”
– letter to Edward Newenham, 1792
Adams
“The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning. And ever since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality, is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes.”
– letter to John Taylor
I think the question to your question is a simple no.
america is not a Christian nation
nor was it intended to run on the principles of any religion
even if tinting the question differently to
express the level of “Christianity” this fine country displays
the answer is pretty crystal.
the litmus can be found in the pages of a bible.
a comparison of how america acts as a being
to the guidelines set out
still shows it pretty lacking.
I see comments on the priesthood and one on intra-Christian disputes. Not sure how this disproves that America was/is built on Christian values–one of those values being that governments cannot decide for men if they believe or not–only the individual.
Again, read my blog post–true Christians always give others the choice to be Christians or not–and our founders were true Christians, though fallible like all men.
America was built on values that are also contained in Christianity, but that can be said of pretty much any state. After all, every significant civilization has had rules against killing people and taking their stuff. While Aquinas would claim that this is due to God’s laws, someone like Aristotle would argue that it is due to the nature of virtue.
Is Egypt or Pakistan a Muslim nation?
We’ll have to wait to see how things turn out in Egypt.
heh… answer to your question.
1952 – US Supreme Court defines the “Separation of Church and State.”
“We are a religious people and our institutions presuppose a Supreme Being … No Constitutional requirement makes it necessary for government to be hostile to religion and to throw its weight against the efforts to widen the scope of religious influence. The government must remain neutral when it comes to competition between sects … The First Amendment, however, does not say that in every respect there shall be a separation of Church and State.”
And it really doesn’t matter to me if America is or isn’t Christian, except that I believe following the basic tenets of Christianity would benefit America materially and morally.
Ultimately this is what I tell people: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”~Joushua 24:15