kamino

Further more,

The Constitution of the United States (1787-1788; 1st TenAmendments ["Bill of Rights"] ratified 1791; no reference to anygod is to be found in the body or in the amendments to theConstitution)

The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. (Article VI, Section 3, The Constitution of the United States.)

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 freedom of press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (Amendment 1,The Constitution of the United States.)

Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between the United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary, 1796-1797

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion--as it has itself no character of enmity against the law, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims], ... ("Article 11, Treaty of Peace and Friendship between The United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary," 1796-1797. Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America. Edited by Hunter Miller. Vol. 2, 1776-1818, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1931, p. 365. From George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 45. According to Paul F. Boller [George Washington & Religion, Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press, 1963, pp. 87-88] the treaty was written by Joel Barlow, negotiated during Washington's administration, concluded on November 4, 1796, ratified by the Senate in June, 1797, and signed [see below] by John Adams [2nd U.S. President] on June 10, 1797. Boller concluded that "Very likely Washington shared Barlow's view, though there is no record of his opinion about the treaty ..." [p.88]. Jefferson was Secretary of State in Washington's first administration but had resigned when the treaty was written. Jefferson was Vice-President when the treaty was ratified and signed. Barlow, identified in The American Heritage Dictionary as an American "poet and diplomat," 1754-1812, knew and corresponded extensively with Jefferson. Among many letters Jefferson wrote Barlow was one written on March 14, 1801, just ten days after Jefferson's first inauguration as President.)

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Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
-Benjamin Franklin

scourge99

This was debated awhile ago. Theres some good arguments made from many different sides if you don't mind reading. Heres a good section to start at:
http://www.debatepolitics.com/church...tml#post648879 (The Fiction Of Church And State)

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Petty Desire or Grand Ambition?

cherokee

Only three can land you in jail.

Don't kill and Don't steal and (sometimes) don't lie.

The silenced majority

It has often given me pleasure to observe that independent America
was not composed of detached and distant territories, but that one
connected, fertile, widespreading country was the portion of our
western sons of liberty. Providence has in a particular manner
blessed it with a variety of soils and productions, and watered it
with innumerable streams, for the delight and accommodation of its
inhabitants. A succession of navigable waters forms a kind of
chain round its borders, as if to bind it together; while the most
noble rivers in the world, running at convenient distances,
present them with highways for the easy communication of friendly
aids, and the mutual transportation and exchange of their various
commodities. With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice that
Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to
one united people--a people descended from the same ancestors,
speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached
to the same principles of government, very similar in their
manners and customs, and who, by their joint counsels, arms, and
efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war,
have nobly established general liberty and independence. This
country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and
it appears as if it was the design of Providence, that an
inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren,
united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split
into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties.

John Jay ~ The Federalist Papers II

Alfons

The moslems that they'll receive all Christian world already in this century.
Europa get the green flagge in 40 years, USA maybe later.
When the Moslems family have 6 - 8 children while the Christian only 1 child + 2 dogs we have no others choice.

scourge99

Machine guns nullified this problem over 100 years ago. Modern technology has further reduced such fears of being over run by anyone.

New World Order

It is a known fact that the Western World as we know it today is historically based on Judeo-Christian principals and that includes the US Constitution. You do not have to be a bible thumper to agree and understand that the freedoms we now enjoy today (or should be enjoying) are based on the adherance to Christian principals by our Founding Fathers. To say that these principals have some fault by referring to slavery at the time or women not having the right to vote is like drawing an analogy that Nazi Germany was good because they built nice autobahns. In other words there is no relationship whatsoever.

scourge99

However, it should be noted that nowhere is it demanded or even understood that the US and its laws must continue to follow Christian ideals or influence. It is a government for the people by the people, not a government for Christians by the people. Our government is secular no matter what religion the people are.

Bodhisattva

Just because the nation was founded does not mean that it is a Christian Nation.

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bobnelsonfr

I just joined this Forum, so I don't know how long people continue to react to threads that have been dormant a while...

Reminder, the initial questions were:
#1 - Was the United States FOUNDED upon Christian principles?
#2 - Can/Should the United States be identified as a "Christian Nation" today?

The first question cannot be answered unless someone so courageous (foolish) as to give a clear definition of "Christian principles". Good luck!

Lemme see...
"Turn the other cheek"... nope...
"The meek shall inherit"... um...
"Blessed are the poor"... ah...
"Love thy neighbor"... er...

Well, maybe I don't understand Christian principles...


As for "Christian nation", once again, there's a need to define the terms, but I'd answer, "Obviously!"

Most Americans would define themselves as Christians, of one flavor or another and more or less practicing, but "Christian" all the same; and even most of those who refuse to call themselves Christians would have to admit that they are the products of a Christianity-drenched society. (With just a few percent of Jews, even fewer Moslems, Buddhists, and whatnot.)

A Newsweek poll a few years ago demonstrated that the people of the US, Ireland and Poland take account of religious considerations in their political choices, to a degree very different from other Western nations.


So... and this is what I find interesting... I would say that "No, the country was not founded on Christian principles; but yes it is a Christian country."

Subsidiary conclusion, "One need not follow Christian principles to be a Christian". But then a great many Christians demonstrate that fact every day, hmmmm?