America is or is not a Christian Nation.

[Zinthaniel]

A Special thread for Bodhisattva.

The United States is not a Christian Nation. That is my stance.

A nation is defined by it's government and it's people - not only by it's majority. To refer to it as A Christian Nation is to falsely represent many Americans.

Our Country grants freedom for all religions and lack thereof. Grand Cathedrals, churches, Temples, Mosques, and Conventions for Non Believers can be found all over this country. All of which are given equal respect and right to exist.
Religion in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Our Government and thus our laws are entirely secular. There are a vast array of laws that directly contradict the teachings in the bible and thus God's will (i.e. laws regarding homosexuals, divorce, and other things considered blasphemous). Making the term "Christian Nation" ever more strange and obviously misplaced.

There is no legitimate reason to refer to this Nation as Christian.

 

[KevinKohler]

Then prosecute G Dubya.

 

[lizzie]

Legally, it is not Christian. Philosophically and psychologically, it is in part. It's a mix of Judeo-Christian values and western democratic ideals. Although we aren't all Christian, we are all influenced by it to a degree.

 

[X Factor]

(Sorry meant to add a poll)

A Special thread for Bodhisattva.

The United States is not a Christian Nation. That is my stance.

A nation is defined by it's government and it's people - not only by it's majority. To refer to it as A Christian Nation is to falsely represent many Americans.

Our Country grants freedom for all religions and lack thereof. Grand Cathedrals, churches, Temples, Mosques, and Conventions for Non Believers can be found all over this country. All of which are given equal respect and right to exist.
Religion in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Our Government and thus our laws are entirely secular. There are a vast array of laws that directly contradict the teachings in the bible and thus God's will (i.e. laws regarding homosexuals, divorce, and other things considered blasphemous). Making the term "Christian Nation" ever more strange and obviously misplaced.

There is no legitimate reason to refer to this Nation as Christian.

OMG, the height of insult for some I guess. Lol. There is a Christian influence, sorry to tell you.

 

[spud_meister]

There's lots of people who are not named Christian.

 

[mpg]

There is more than one acceptable way to define "Christian nation".

 

[X Factor]

To say our laws are entirely secular is not quite true. I can't legally buy beer here until noon on Sundays (so I try to stock up on breakfast beer beforehand).

 

[Zinthaniel]

Legally, it is not Christian. Philosophically and psychologically, it is in part. It's a mix of Judeo-Christian values and western democratic ideals. Although we aren't all Christian, we are all influenced by it to a degree.

Yes I agree Christianity has left it's mark, but I don't believe it's a permanent mark - and current trends show that this country is redefining it's self as it always has. We are becoming more and more secular - many laws based in arbitrary social standards related to Christianity are being appealed. New generations are not only turning their back on faith but are actively fighting agaisnt strict traditional religious views on social standards.

 

[Zinthaniel]

OMG, the height of insult for some I guess. Lol. There is a Christian influence, sorry to tell you.

Doesn't make the nation christian.

 

[X Factor]

Doesn't make the nation christian.

Honestly I really don't care either way and you need to relax, it's a conscious decision, not a disease. Contrary to some belief, simply seeing Christian symbols will not infect you.

 

[Zinthaniel]

Honestly I really don't care either way and you need to relax, it's a conscious decision, not a disease. Contrary to some belief, simply seeing Christian symbols will not infect you.

Lol why do you think I'm upset? Ironically this post makes it seem as if I got under your skin by creating this thread.

 

[ecofarm]

It's a Christian nation in the sense that European countries are Christian nations or Israel is a Jewish nation. It is in ethnicity (if we can say such of Christians, Western in particular), not government.

Of course, an Islamic nation is a different thing. That's not ethnicity, that's theocracy.

 

[Beaudreaux]

Yes I agree Christianity has left it's mark, but I don't believe it's a permanent mark - and current trends show that this country is redefining it's self as it always has. We are becoming more and more secular - many laws based in arbitrary social standards related to Christianity are being appealed. New generations are not only turning their back on faith but are actively fighting agaisnt strict traditional religious views on social standards.

Those are not totally related.

As she pointed out, we were formed and still function based on certain moral standards that are rooted in Biblical tradition. I agree that many laws that were put into place, based on Biblical interpretation have been reversed over the years, not the least of which was legal slavery and Jim Crow laws. One of the next will be equality under the law for gays.

However, this is in no way related to what you say here: "New generations are not only turning their back on faith but are actively fighting agaisnt (sic) strict traditional religious views on social standards." Many religions are transforming as well, with less focus on exclusion and more focus on inclusion; the Catholic Church through it's new Pope is an example. There are also many religions that are going strongly in the other direction; just look at the current unrest in the Middle East.

So, you've conflated different issues to try and make a point, that many would agree with in part or in whole, but completely disagree with your reasoning.

 

[Zinthaniel]

It's a Christian nation in the sense that European countries are Christian nations or Israel is a Jewish nation.

I'm not really sure what you mean by this.

 

[ecofarm]

I'm not really sure what you mean by this.

It's important, given such a general question, to recognize the difference between ethnicity and theocracy. Let's not equate a Christian US or Jewish Israel with an Islamic theocracy.

 

[Zinthaniel]

Those are not totally related.

As she pointed out, we were formed and still function based on certain moral standards that are rooted in Biblical tradition. I agree that many laws that were put into place, based on Biblical interpretation have been reversed over the years, not the least of which was legal slavery and Jim Crow laws. One of the next will be equality under the law for gays.

However, this is in no way related to what you say here: "New generations are not only turning their back on faith but are actively fighting agaisnt (sic) strict traditional religious views on social standards." Many religions are transforming as well, with less focus on exclusion and more focus on inclusion; the Catholic Church through it's new Pope is an example. There are also many religions that are going strongly in the other direction; just look at the current unrest in the Middle East.

So, you've conflated different issues to try and make a point, that many would agree with in part or in whole, but completely disagree with your reasoning.

Yeah. The wording I chose was off.

I was referring to the decline in religious beliefs found in younger generations - my own and those below mine.
But yes, you are correct about more liberal inclusiveness transforming Christianity at least, maybe Catholicism as well.

 

[Zinthaniel]

It's important, given such a general question, to recognize the difference between ethnicity and theocracy. Let's not equate a Christian US or Jewish Israel with an Islamic theocracy.

I'm not seeing how our nation is christian though. Aside from many following the religion here - our standards and are social cues are very different than what the bible would dictate that we follow. I consider Uganda a christian nation - not only is it's people predominately Christian but it government actively enforces laws that are reflective of biblical teachings.

Dress codes, homosexuality, women, etc - very strictly controlled in Uganda under their belief in God.

 

[ecofarm]

But yes, you are correct about more liberal inclusiveness transforming Christianity at least, maybe Catholicism as well.

I believe the Church's next reformation will be the inclusion of gays. Not just in tolerance but a recognition that homosexuality is not a sin but a ceremonial law, because there's no morality involved.

 

[ecofarm]

I'm not seeing how our nation is christian though.

Christianity is a fiber of our ethnic quilt as Americans. It provides a common line of reference for a majority of the population. If one can consider a religion an ethnicity, it's what we see in Western Christian countries. Israel is a bit different (a true ethnicity), and also nothing like a theocracy.

 

[Bodi]

A Special thread for Bodhisattva.

A special thank you to Zinthaniel for the thread. More to come soon.

 

[upsideguy]

There's lots of people who are not named Christian.

....not to mention a whole lot of people that aren't Christian, including a lot that think they are....

 

[Zinthaniel]

Christianity is a fiber of our ethnic quilt as Americans. It provides a common frame of reference for a majority of the population. If one can consider a religion an ethnicity, it's what we see in Western Christian countries and Israel.

I don't consider Christianity or religion an ethnicity. Nor do I believe it is that deeply woven in all americans, especially in this modern day.

 

[Zinthaniel]

A special thank you to Zinthaniel for the thread. More to come soon.

Bring it on Girlfriend!

 

[ecofarm]

I don't consider Christianity or religion an ethnicity. Nor do I believe it is that deeply woven in all americans, especially in this modern day.

Christianity has served as a common reference for the majority of Americans since the beginning of the country. Even today, it is the majority form of metaphysical expression. As metaphy expression is a key component in most cultures, it is regarding American ethnicity as well.

This is not to say that the Bible serves as a common reference for all Americans, but certainly the majority and always has.

 

[SocialDemocrat]

In a political and legal sense, no. I think it's very clear that we have a secular legal system, with few exceptions. As far as what it should be, multiculturalism is what we should maintain as a country, with no dominant culture, because not all minds adhere to the same philosophy. In a cultural sense, I would also say no. A majority of Christians does not equal a Christian nation. We have a large Jewish, Islam, Atheist, Hindu, Buddhist, and Agnostic population, as well as other denominations.