Why the U.S. Is Not a Christian Nation

Well you might be suprised to learn that the biggest political machine of the republican is the Jesus and his endless churches around the country. There isn't a McDonald's in every city, town, village, township or back water but you can bet your holy goat that there's a church within walking distance of everywhere America.

Tom Jeff may have wanted a secular government basing their laws, policies and legislation on reasonable sound fact based ideas, but who need that when you got a magic sky monkey with his book of ultimate godly wisdom to guide the way for humanity. It's never been wrong about anything just ask a Christian.

Very +^d

I was raised with the term "melting pot" at the forefront of MANY teachings in school from elementary through high school. It was so much assumed correct and important that a huge amount of my education about our country rallied around this theme. I still believe in the rightness of this concept as developed by our Founding Fathers.

How the GOP continues to re-write history and remove our most important founding issue is repugnant. Our country has always had a flawed sense of its mission but the documents created then are living documents that were meant to establish a legal basis for creating their World in which they participated and for those of us to follow to create an environment that ensured all religions be equally accepted as legitimate.

Religious freedom lead to many of the freedoms that were born from this feedom and the freedoms in the pursuit of happiness.

GOP desires to roll-back all of these rights while re-writing history to believe that the Country was somehow more perfect then than now. The parts they want to forget or totally change are those that give rights to those previously discriminated against as well as those liberties that we all enjoy. The GOP intends to pull back rights for religious freedom, for women and girls, for minorities and other protected classes.

Apparently freedom is just for white, Christian males. We should all be afraid of what these fake religious goons. They are attacking the rights of us all and freedoms so hard fought for by an aspiring, young Country seeking to provide a better environment for ALL of its citizens.

Calling America a christian nation is like calling a Zebra black, sure there is some black stripes, but what makes them more important than the white ones? Oh that's right because they are the black ones and they are going to heaven, those heathen white stripes are going to hell and therefore irrelevant to all discussions related to anything at all other than their impending journey to hell.

At the onset, I believe the original Constitutional framers should have written something along the lines of "Freedom FROM Religion" . That might have averted the problem of religious cults trying to subvert the USA and establish a Theocracy akin to Iran.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"

This is where I get so frustrated with the religious fanatics claiming this is a Christian nation. Did you notice something ... ? The FIRST CLAUSE of the FIRST AMENDMENT: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

This is what the Bible thumpers don't get. The point of that clause was to protect Americans' rights of religion ... AND .. their rights FROM religion.

This concept was so important to the Founding Fathers that they made it the first clause of the First Amendment.

I wish more self-professed "Constitutionalists" would give that more thought.

I'm for the separation of church and state. Religion does not belong in government. Period.

Ahhhh, the religious right just won't be happy until we can pray in court. Oh wait, I prayed in court but it really didn't stop the judge from throwing me in jail.

You've all been conned - there is no seperation of church and state and in fact it could be argued that there has been a merger of church and state in many aspects. There's only an infringment of free speech because if churches want to be tax exempt, then will have to comply with certain government rules that infringe upon free speech within the church.

And if any church decides to try and go against the state, they may get a visit from the BATF and SWAT terrorists and run the risk of having a dangerous and possibly life threatening turn of events.

Seperation of church and state does not exist because the government of the US (the State) has contractual agreements with churches who wish to incorporate and not pay taxes on the money that they collect.

I can't believe that no one ever brings this up in these religious debates.

And furthermore this is just more picking and choosing what they want to agree with when it comes to what the founding fathers said in their writings.

We are not a 'christian nation" because people like me can say "fuck the church" and "tax ALL churches equally" and nobody can shut me up.

Religions are full of sinners who think they can fuck their fellow man and then go to confession.

Religions are full of weak minded people who need a leader, sort of like sheep.

Plus, the bible is bullshit. If Jesus was around, how come the Chinese didnt run into him? He could have been a valued trading partner and I am sure that they would have been grateful to create jobs by printing the bible for those weak minded individuals that could actually read.

TAX THE CHURCH!

I'll likely get some negative votes for this but it needs to be said: This is a whole lot of barking up the wrong tree. Too often the word "Christian" is used in a context that does not imply being Christian at all. Sadly, Christianity has become a badge worn by those who feel entitled to this, that or the other thing. They say, "I go to church every Sunday", and "See this cross I wear around my neck?" Yet, when it comes time for acceptance, tolerance, LOVE, forgiveness, and hope, so many are quick to condemn, ostracize, criticize, and berate any who oppose what they personally believe. To be Christian literally means to be Christ-like, the example for which is spelled out in the New Testament.

I say it's the wrong tree because instead of bickering about whether or not the United States is a Christian Nation we should be focusing on what we, as individuals and communities and states and a country as a whole should be doing and that is being more Christ-like. That doesn't mean one should convert to Christianity; that doesn't mean we should persecute those who believe something different. No, what it means is that those who understand the value of behaving like a Christian, especially in tumultuous times should lead by example - loving their neighbor, helping the impoverished, and healing the sick by giving them hope and courage.

We can fight about who is right and who is wrong until we're blue in the face - it doesn't change anything. Change starts with us. How do we speak to others? Are we kind? Do we reach out to those in need when they need it? It doesn't have to be a "Christian" ideal. It's a basic human concept and it is also written in our Constitution. We are ALL entitled to the inalienable rights which means as AMERICANS we should be extending our faith and hope that we may all experience the abundant love bestowed upon us as HUMANS.

A simple measure of a nation's religious freedom and tolerance is whether a building permit can be obtained to organize a religious membership. For example, a building permit can be obtained for a church, or for a synagogue or a mosque, or for a temple. In the United States I do not know of any established religion that would be denied a building permit. In some cases a single building permit could organize multiple religious memberships, or even secular memberships too.

That rocks.

Loved this story, the comments kind of irk me because people are so set on the idea that religion does have it's place in our Govt. It had me looking up this subject last night, I was a little disturbed by this article, mostly by who wrote it.

http://townhall.com/columnists/chucknorris/2011/07/05/our_founders_vs_nbc_and_ne...

I have a simple, three part survey that people can take to find the answer-

1. Are United States soldiers in direct violation of God's commandment not to murder?

2. If yes, answer this question: If you are not following God's commandment not to murder, are you being the best Christian you can be?

If no, answer this question: Do you believe that Christianity is a religion that justifies murder in certain circumstances?

I'd give you the third part which solves all of America's problems pertaining to this issue, but without a paid contract at Current?

Call me when you're ready Current

I’m usually a pretty open minded type fellow who accepts the religious beliefs of others with relative grace and ease. However there is one religious group that I just cannot stomach. It’s those wild eyed, beard wearing, self righteous, stuck back in the stone age, women draped from head to toe in linen, felt hat wearing Amish. That’s right… the Amish… I suggest we all shun them. I do. :-)

please note smiley face... Smiley face = Joke.

I agree that this is not a Christian in more ways than one. First, because the constitution says as much. But also, because of the views and opinions of its citizens. In reading posts and articles from this and other websites, it is clear that some of the principles that are found in the bible are not being practiced. I don't mean this in a negative way. It is just factual.

The US is not a christian nation. Saladin, although I surely agree with your comment, I would go so far as to even say we are not even a nation of mostly christians. Religious expression in this country are so diverse, I wouldn't be surprised if that was not the case. Further, the US, or the powers that be would love to have a christian nation, a theocracy, in order to continue to control peoples minds, offer false hopes and distorted views, keep people poor and in their places. Sorta like what we are experiencing now.

It's really annoying that this most basic of facts is actually contentious in this country.

I like to explain it this way.

We are not a Christian Nation, we are a Nation of mostly Christians.

Christian Nation is akin to theocracy. Iran, for instance, is a Muslim Nation.

They won't admit it, but the fundamentalists among us *want* us to look like a Christian version of Iran. In their mind, nothing is wrong with theocracy, it's just that other nations picked the "wrong" religion.

Christianity is a personal choice. You can't force anyone to believe something that they do not want to believe. The religious right do what they do because of their own shortcomings. Forcing their beliefs on other through legislature makes them feel as if they're dong Christ a favor. But, they aren't becuase he will judge them on their lives and their lives only. NOT the lives of others. AGAIN, becuase they are NOT all they're suppose or pretend to be (Marcus Bachmann.) They feel the need to cleanse themselves by way of demagoguing others.

No one can legislate religion. It is a free acceptance or rejection by each individual. It is a God given right for one to reject or accept God. Hence, it is separated from the control of the State. It's hard to say if America is a Christian Nation. However, based on current trends and desires - I am leaning in the direction of saying that sadly America does not appear to be a Christian Nation.

What ever happened to men like these.....

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

The populace of the USA have established themselves through personal choice as being a majority Christian faith populace but that is in no way to say that the govenrnment of the united states is a Christian government espousing and imposing Christian dogma upon it's populace.

If America is a christian nation, than this bitch is going to hell.

US Treaty with Tripoli, 1796
John Adam signed and ordered it published in the major news papers and read by every able man and officer of the military.

"Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

The Library of Congress has its publication from The Philadelphia Gazette on 17 June 1797. A PDF is available upon request.

Awesome Post!!
To bad people like Michelle Bachmann who proudly quote the constitution when it suits them and omit the parts they don't like. She truly is making the Founding Fathers roll over in their graves. Same for religion to many pick and choose what the want and dismiss the parts they don't like

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CONTINUED...

PART TWO...

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The framers ... understood the long history of sectarian bloodshed in Europe that brought many pilgrims to America.
--Kenneth C. Davis

The idea was not Jefferson's. Other 17th- and 18th-century Enlightenment writers had used a variant of it. Earlier still, religious dissident Roger Williams had written in a 1644 letter of a "hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world."

Williams, who founded Rhode Island with a colonial charter that included religious freedom, knew intolerance firsthand. He and other religious dissenters, including Anne Hutchinson, had been banished from neighboring Massachusetts, the "shining city on a hill" where Catholics, Quakers and Baptists were banned under penalty of death.

As president, Jefferson was voicing an idea that was fundamental to his view of religion and government, expressed most significantly in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which he drafted in 1777.

Revised by James Madison and passed by Virginia's legislature in January 1786, the bill stated: "No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened (sic) in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief ..."

It was this simple -- government could not dictate how to pray, or that you cannot pray, or that you must pray.

Jefferson regarded this law so highly that he had his authorship of the statute made part of his epitaph, along with writing the Declaration and founding the University of Virginia. (Being president wasn't worth a mention.)

Why do Jefferson's "other words" matter today?

First, because knowing history matters -- it can safeguard us from repeating our mistakes and help us value our rights, won at great cost. Yet we are sorely lacking in knowledge about our past, as shown by a recent National Assessment of Educational Progress.

But more to the point, we are witnessing an aggressively promoted version of our history and heritage in which America is called a "Christian Nation."

This "Sunday School" version of our past has gained currency among conservative television commentators, school boards that have rewritten state textbooks and several GOP presidential candidates, some of whom trekked to Ralph Reed's Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in early June 2011.

No one can argue, as "Christian Nation" proponents correctly state, that the Founding Fathers were not Christian, although some notably doubted Christ's divinity.

More precisely, the founders were, with very few exceptions, mainstream Protestants. Many of them were Episcopalians, the American offshoot of the official Church of England. The status of America's Catholics, both legally and socially, in the colonies and early Republic, was clearly second-class. Other Christian sects, including Baptists, Quakers and Mormons, faced official resistance, discrimination and worse for decades.

But the founders, and more specifically the framers of the Constitution, included men who had fought a war for independence -- the very war celebrated on the "Glorious Fourth" -- against a country in which church and state were essentially one.

They understood the long history of sectarian bloodshed in Europe that brought many pilgrims to America. They knew the dangers of merging government, which was designed to protect individual rights, with religion, which as Jefferson argued, was a matter of individual conscience.

And that is why the U.S. Constitution reads as it does.

The supreme law of the land, written in the summer of 1787, includes no references to religion -- including in the presidential oath of office -- until the conclusion of Article VI, after all that dull stuff about debts and treaties: "No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." (There is a pro forma "Year of the Lord" reference in the date at the Constitution's conclusion.)

Original intent? "No religious Test" seems pretty clear cut.

The primacy of a secular state was solidified when the First Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights. According to Purdue history professor Frank Lambert, that "introduced the radical notion that the state had no voice concerning matters of conscience."

Beyond that, the first House of Representatives, while debating the First Amendment, specifically rejected a Senate proposal calling for the establishment of Christianity as an official religion. As Lambert concludes, "There would be no Church of the United States. Nor would America represent itself as a Christian Republic."

The actions of the first presidents, founders of the first rank, confirmed this "original intent:"

-- In 1790, President George Washington wrote to America's first synagogue, in Rhode Island, that "all possess alike liberty of conscience" and that "toleration" was an "inherent national gift," not the government's to dole out or take away

-- In 1797, with President John Adams in office, the Senate unanimously approved one of America's earliest foreign treaties, which emphatically stated (Article 11): "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, -- as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen (Muslims) ..."

-- In 1802, Jefferson added his famous "wall of separation," implicit in the Constitution until he so described it (and cited in several Supreme Court decisions since).

These are, to borrow an admittedly loaded phrase, "inconvenient truths" to those who proclaim that America is a "Christian Nation."

The Constitution and the views of these Founding Fathers trump all arguments about references to God in presidential speeches (permitted under the First Amendment), on money (not introduced until the Civil War), the Pledge of Allegiance ("under God" added in 1954) and in the national motto "In God We Trust" (adopted by law in 1956).

And those contentious monuments to the Ten Commandments found around the country and occasionally challenged in court? Many of them were installed as a publicity stunt for Cecile B. DeMille's 1956 Hollywood spectacle, "The Ten Commandments."

So who are you going to believe? Thomas Jefferson or Hollywood? On second thought: Don't answer.

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The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kenneth C. Davis.