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January 01, 2007
Is America a Christian Nation?
I have always been curious of those who really believe that we live in a "Christian" nation, or that we should, or that we once did. It is clear to me that we do not, should not, and have not~for obvious reasons that I will speak to momentarily. But it is also clear to me that many American citizens are not finished with this issue. And they feel strongly about it. And so debate will continue.
As a Christian myself, I am concerned about tying faith with nation and am grateful to our founders for separating religion and state so that coercion by one or the other would remain difficult. It is a weak expression of faith, in my opinion, to tie Christianity to a nation or a state, but for some people it may be necessary until a more developed or deeper religious faith emerges. Some folks are simply, perhaps irrationally, afraid to accept any differences outside their own religion. Fortunately, the U.S. Constitution protects all of us from being put upon by one religious group.
So if America is a Christian nation, then . . .
1. . . . why isn't God or Christianity mentioned in the U.S. Constitution? [The words "under God" do not appear in the "Pledge of Allegiance" until 1954, when Congress inserted them because of the political pressure of McCarthyism. And it was not until 1956 that Congress decided to put "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency. Of course, the original U.S. motto, chosen by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, is E Pluribus Unum ("Of Many, One"), a motto about plurality, not theocracy.]
2. . . . why does the First Amendment of the Consitution read: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"? [For those who would argue that states have the right to set up their own religion, the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution deals with such matters by providing a "due process" clause that says the entire Bill of Rights applies to every state. In a word, there is no governor, mayor, sheriff, public school employee, or other public official who can violate the human rights embodied in the Constitution. And, in fact, most state constitutions are even stricter than the First Amendment in prohibiting the establishment of a ministry, the use of tax dollars to promote religion, or the interference with freedom of conscience.]
3. . . . why does our presidential oath of office, detailed in the Constitution, not contain the phrase "so help me God" or any requirement to swear on a bible (Art. II, Sec. 1, Clause 8)?
4. . . . why did America sign a treaty in 1797 with Tripoli that declared "the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion"?
5. . . . what did Justice John Paul Stevens mean when he wrote this: "When the underlying principle has been examined in the crucible of litigation, the Court has unambiguously concluded that the individual freedom of conscience protected by the First Amendment embraces the right to select any religious faith or none at all"?
| By wjbailes | 08:41 AM
Comments
I agree! The United States of America is a nation with lots of Christians, like you and me, but it is not, never has been, nor should it be a "Christian Nation." I am happy to live in a nation that allows me to be the Christian that I believe I should be without imposing its own interpretation of what that should look like, sound like, feel like, or, in any other essence, be!
Posted by: Jim at January 1, 2007 11:08 AM
John, what our friends of the theocratic right often forget is that in the colonies were people from all over Europe, not just from England. By 1776, everyone in Europe had heard about the New World and many of them came over to seek their fortunes. The New World was originally colonies, organized to make money and send it back to Europe. It was basically an economic adventure and to make it work, everyone had to get along with everyone. Most of these people were Christian only because they came from Europe.
Later, people came from all over the world to make America work. And they still had to get along.
And that is why the framers guaranteed religious freedom. Not because they wanted to establish a Christian nation, but because they wanted to earn a whole lotta money. And the only way to do that was to get along with people from every different little sect created by the Reformation.
Posted by: Jeff at January 1, 2007 11:09 AM
I love this topic. When I was in high school I remember some event that prompted people to talk about the supposed Christian origins of American constitutionalism. I did an internet search and found a scholar of religious history that I could ask some questions to. He directed me to a book, The Search for Christian America, written by Mark Noll and Nathan Hatch. The book is well researched and discusses most of the key concepts surrounding the argument that American is not a 'Christian nation'.
You can find this book on Amazon. I suggest everyone interested in this topic read the book.
Posted by: Adam at January 1, 2007 01:03 PM
Here are some other books to read right away on this subject:
Piety & Politics: The Right Wing Assault on Religious Freedom by Barry W. Lynn
Faith & Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together by Senator John Danforth
Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
End of Faith by Sam Harris
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Breaking the Spell of Religion as Natural Phenomenon by Daniel C. Dennett
Posted by: Free Speecher at January 1, 2007 05:30 PM
Christianity has had, it is true, a great influence on American society. But so has farming. But we are not a farming country, per se. And Christian influences have not made America a Christian nation either.
Posted by: Bailes at January 2, 2007 06:49 AM
John, while we agree that ours is not a Christian nation, can we make the same claim relative to our nation being based on a belief in God--the God of your choice, of course. "In God We Trust" is on our money, and the acknowledgment of God is sprinkled liberally through the rhetoric of our founding documents. Take for example the state constitutions. A friend sent me the following:
Do you know the Preamble for your state?.
Alabama 1901 , Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble . We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble . Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance .. Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil l, political and religious libe rty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble . We, the people o f Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts , acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe .. In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Minnesota , grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness .. Establish this Constitution
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the
blessings of liberty establish this Constitution
Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble . We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution
New Hampshire 179 2, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V . Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , t he people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington , grateful to the Supreme Ruler of t he Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ..
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution.
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Posted by: Jim at January 2, 2007 08:53 AM
I think if you go back to the Bible History and also the History of the United States you will see why our forefathers came to America. They came for freedom of religion but also one that believed in Jesus Christ having died that we might be saved, forgiving us our sins giving us Eternal life. Then think on some of the beliefs of other people who came to our shores and they still don't believe the foundation of what our forefathers came for. Some are still looking for his first coming and some believe it is a thing of being good but not letting the holy spirit lead them for lack of not knowing his coming.
You have studied both of these. So why do you ask this question?
I am a Christian, and I believe that God sent his son into the world that he might live a perfect life, leaving us an example to live by; Christ died and arose. He shed his blood that we might be forgiven; this was to restore us from the sin of Adam and Eve having fallen from Grace. He gave us a freedom of choice to do right from wrong, and we give our heart and soul to him and receive that promise of eternal life or we are promised being in an eternal HELL burning forever. When we receive him we have the Holy spirit living with in us to lead and Guide us. These that don't believe Jesus came as a baby and when he went away to be in Heaven and left the Holy spirit with us those that haven't received the Holy spirit they are led by man not by our Lord and Savior. I could go on and on answering your question but this all you know deep in your heart.
Posted by: Margie at January 2, 2007 06:24 PM