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Is the US a Christian country?

Is the US a Christian Country?


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Well, that would be why we have lower and higher courts to mediate such things, because someone always feels their rights are being damaged.

True. As they should be.

Just as it remains to be the case and the process with the Indiana RAFA law and other RAFA laws.
 
As historian John Fea notes, “If the Treaty of Tripoli is correct, and the United States was not ‘founded on the Christian religion,’ then someone forgot to tell the American people… The idea that the United States is a ‘Christian nation,’ has always been central to American identity.” But debate rages over whether the Founders were Deists and why the Constitution bears no mention of God.

Like today, the Founding elites were less spiritually pre-disposed than the overall populace. Then, as now, politicians appropriated Christian themes. Obama even invoked Jesus to support same-sex marriage. The Founders knew the talk too. But as Gregg Frazier illustrates, when Washington, Adams and Franklin appealed to Almighty God they didn’t necessarily mean Jehovah.

In The Religious Beliefs of America’s Founders, (which I’ve not yet read) Dr. Frazier suggests designations of Deist or Christian are too simple. He describes the primary beliefs of core Founders as “theistic rationalism.” Frazier notes, “They took elements of Christianity and elements of natural religion and then, using rationalism, they kept what they thought was reasonable, was rational, and rejected what they considered to be irrational.”

This hybrid, unlike Deism, per Frazier, developed a benevolent god who heard and answered prayers to impart justice. All thought Jesus a great moral philosopher, but many important Revolutionary leaders denied his Deity. But be clear, biblical Christianity isn’t mere morals. Dr. Mohler stresses, diluting the Gospel to “Christian values” won’t save perishing souls.

Was America Founded As A Christian Nation? - Forbes


in some ways, we are a christian nation

in other ways, we are not

less and less people attend church on a regular basis across our nation, but more and more people find spirituality a core part of their being

i myself do believe we are a christian nation in that we stand for principles, we believe in liberty, and we were formed as one nation under god

but that is just my two cents

The three branches of our government certainly don't legislate out of the bible, although, many American laws are indeed influenced by the religious beliefs of its writers. 75% (conservative number) of Americans identify as Christian, a significant majority of legislators do as well. It is impossible that such influence doesn't seep into our legislation, as indeed can be seen, particularly in local laws. As you say, in some ways America is a Christian nation and in some ways not.
 
True. As they should be.

Just as it remains to be the case and the process with the Indiana RAFA law and other RAFA laws.

Indeed. Of particular note will be if the SCOTUS rules on gay marriage, and how they rule if they do. But I'm pretty sure, that just as the long road of suffrage for women ended up with them having equal rights as men, and the equally long (nay, longer) road for African Americans have delivered them very near equal rights with White Americans, whether Christians like it or they don't, the gay community will have equal rights with them.
 
Indeed. Of particular note will be if the SCOTUS rules on gay marriage, and how they rule if they do.

Regardless of the outcome of that decision, at least the 'rules of the road' will have been made clear, or at least more clear.
 
Regardless of the outcome of that decision, at least the 'rules of the road' will have been made clear, or at least more clear.

True, I wasn't finished with the post you quoted, sorry about that!
 
There can never be a factual agreement about whether or not the US is a Christian country without some agreement about what "Christian country" means. Christianity nor any other religion can be state sponsored, but Christianity was the prevalent belief system and has heavily influenced our morals and, naturally, therefore our laws.
 
I have to say, this is actually a nice different take on the question...albiet probably by accident.

Normally the question is asked whether or not the US is a christian "NATION". That's actually, from a political science perspective, significantly different than asking if the US is a christian COUNTRY / STATE.

The answer to that question is an unequiviocable..."no".

The United States of America is not, nor ever has been a Christian COUNTRY. To claim such, it would require that it's governmental system is one that codifies and establishes Christianity in some clear cut fashion. It most certainly does not.

There is a legitimate argument to be made that in the time of it's founding, and in it's earliest of years, the United States of America was a Christian NATION, as that has nothing inherently to do with Government. The population was overwhelming Christian, the majority of christians were actively practicing followers of the faith, and the practice and tennets of Christainity was ingrained into the shared culture of the overwhelming majority of Americans.

In more recent years, the claim of it being a "christian nation" would be far more difficult. While stll largely Christian, it is not nearly to the same degree as the past. Similarly, the number of actual routinely practicing and devout members of the faith are significantly lower as well. As such, the tennets and practice of Christianity is not anywhere near as integral and recognizable part of our shared American culture. There's still an argument to be made in some fashions, but it is a far weaker argument than the one that can be made relating to the time of the founding and shortly after.

But in terms of "country", which speaks to the governmental system? Absolutely not. It is not a "christian" country.
 
True, I wasn't finished with the post you quoted, sorry about that!
No worries.
Indeed. Of particular note will be if the SCOTUS rules on gay marriage, and how they rule if they do. But I'm pretty sure, that just as the long road of suffrage for women ended up with them having equal rights as men, and the equally long (nay, longer) road for African Americans have delivered them very near equal rights with White Americans, whether Christians like it or they don't, the gay community will have equal rights with them.

Seems to me that the gay marriage issue isn't so much about rights (who's preventing LGBT couples from forming a life long relationship?) but more about the label, where the traditional definition includes 'a man and a woman', and the LGBT community wants to redefine that term. That seems to be more a cultural issue than one of rights.
 
No worries.


Seems to me that the gay marriage issue isn't so much about rights (who's preventing LGBT couples from forming a life long relationship?) but more about the label, where the traditional definition includes 'a man and a woman', and the LGBT community wants to redefine that term. That seems to be more a cultural issue than one of rights.

i still say what the county gives everyone should be a civil union certificate....and everyone with one of those gets the exact same rights and privileges

and then, if you want to get "married", you go to your temple, church, mosque, etc, and have the religious ceremony performed....with no additional penalties or bonuses for the title married

everyone can say they are married.....everyone gets the same rights.....everyone is under the same laws

and the churches/religions still have their sacrosanct title to marriage to give to their parishioners

i dont know why this hasnt happened.....it is the most logical thing to make everyone happy.....
 
I have to say, this is actually a nice different take on the question...albiet probably by accident.

Normally the question is asked whether or not the US is a christian "NATION". That's actually, from a political science perspective, significantly different than asking if the US is a christian COUNTRY / STATE.

The answer to that question is an unequiviocable..."no".

The United States of America is not, nor ever has been a Christian COUNTRY. To claim such, it would require that it's governmental system is one that codifies and establishes Christianity in some clear cut fashion. It most certainly does not.

There is a legitimate argument to be made that in the time of it's founding, and in it's earliest of years, the United States of America was a Christian NATION, as that has nothing inherently to do with Government. The population was overwhelming Christian, the majority of christians were actively practicing followers of the faith, and the practice and tennets of Christainity was ingrained into the shared culture of the overwhelming majority of Americans.

In more recent years, the claim of it being a "christian nation" would be far more difficult. While stll largely Christian, it is not nearly to the same degree as the past. Similarly, the number of actual routinely practicing and devout members of the faith are significantly lower as well. As such, the tennets and practice of Christianity is not anywhere near as integral and recognizable part of our shared American culture. There's still an argument to be made in some fashions, but it is a far weaker argument than the one that can be made relating to the time of the founding and shortly after.

But in terms of "country", which speaks to the governmental system? Absolutely not. It is not a "christian" country.

Semantics. Depending on the meaning of "country", the statement could be either true or false. This question allows infinite opportunities for equivocation.

Dictionary
1country
noun coun·try \ˈkən-trē\
: an area of land that is controlled by its own government

the country : the people who live in a country

: an area or region that has a particular quality or feature or is known for a particular activity.

Definition #1 and the answer is most reasonably "no" because it insinuates government support for the religion. #2, on the other hand is clearly true because the US is a region or area that is predominately Christian and even includes Christian Holidays in the federal schedule as an accommodation to the majority that observes those holidays.
 
i still say what the county gives everyone should be a civil union certificate....and everyone with one of those gets the exact same rights and privileges

and then, if you want to get "married", you go to your temple, church, mosque, etc, and have the religious ceremony performed....with no additional penalties or bonuses for the title married

everyone can say they are married.....everyone gets the same rights.....everyone is under the same laws

and the churches/religions still have their sacrosanct title to marriage to give to their parishioners

i dont know why this hasnt happened.....it is the most logical thing to make everyone happy.....

I like that solution but I don't think homosexuals like it.
 
i still say what the county gives everyone should be a civil union certificate....and everyone with one of those gets the exact same rights and privileges

and then, if you want to get "married", you go to your temple, church, mosque, etc, and have the religious ceremony performed....with no additional penalties or bonuses for the title married

everyone can say they are married.....everyone gets the same rights.....everyone is under the same laws

and the churches/religions still have their sacrosanct title to marriage to give to their parishioners

i dont know why this hasnt happened.....it is the most logical thing to make everyone happy.....

I'd agree. It's the most logical, gets government out of the marriage business (which it really shouldn't be in anyway), and allows various religions to define what marriage means to them and their congregation (seeming where that should be as well).

What's not to like?
 
I like that solution but I don't think homosexuals like it.

It seems to me ya'll are the ones hung up on a word. Everyone can more easily get a *marriage* license and churches can decide for themselves whether to refuse a same sex ceremony and to call that ceremony a "civil union" or "glorification" or whatever the crap.
 
i still say what the county gives everyone should be a civil union certificate....and everyone with one of those gets the exact same rights and privileges

and then, if you want to get "married", you go to your temple, church, mosque, etc, and have the religious ceremony performed....with no additional penalties or bonuses for the title married

everyone can say they are married.....everyone gets the same rights.....everyone is under the same laws

and the churches/religions still have their sacrosanct title to marriage to give to their parishioners

i dont know why this hasnt happened.....it is the most logical thing to make everyone happy.....

You realize they already do have their 'sacrosanct' title. That some 2% of married couples are same sex should matter whatsoever
 
It seems to me ya'll are the ones hung up on a word.

That's perfectly reasonable If you mean "breeders" when you say "y'all" since "breeders" created the institution and the word. So, yeah, they're also "hung up" on what it means and don't necessarily accept that homosexuals are the final authority on what it means just because they pretend that they are.
 

your post is not correct, and the problem is not reading correctly which many people do.

the u.s. was founded by christians, it was a Christian nation however it is no longer.

as for the treaty, here it is again:

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,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan 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.

As for historian John Fea ...he notes : the United States was not founded on the Christian religion..........he focuses on the United States.......not the Government of the United States which the treaty says.

the government is not christian, all the constitution does is setup the structure of the federal government, delegate the government few powers, leaving all other powers to the states creating federalism and the bill of rights creating restrictions on the federal government.

you can find on the internet many people talking about this subject, .......and even find were people will leave out the words ....."As the government"
 
That's perfectly reasonable If you mean "breeders" when you say "y'all" since "breeders" created the institution and the word. So, yeah, they're also "hung up" on what it means and don't necessarily accept that homosexuals are the final authority on what it means just because they pretend that they are.

Oh please, i know plenty of "breeders" who support gay marriage, without having to go thru these hoops of changing words just to make some heterosexuals feel superior still. In fact if not for them, gay marriage would not even be an afterthought since homosexuals are such a small %

Or you can look at the other parts of the world that have legalized SSM and it's gone exactly the same.

btw, please tell us who created the institution or word marriage? Probably was a gay "celibate" priest
 
The US is a country with lots of Christians in it. That doesn't make it a "Christian nation."
 
Semantics.

Absolutley, but then again that's the matter with anything dealing with definitions. I noted from the very onset of my post, I was going by the commonly held definitions in the realm of Political Science.

I made the topical foundation of my argument abundantly clear by indicating the definition and mindset I was coming from was one of political science...where as the OP left it COMPLETELY open ended.

If you want to argue against my point from the actual foundation that I used, go right ahead. If you want to bitch that I didn't choose to use the definition YOU prefer, and then wish to try and take my part away based on fraudulent logic by attacking a strawman of your own creation by citing a different definition than the one I clearly indicated, then you're more than welcome to engage in your debate with the strawman, but I'm not interested in joining you.
 
It shouldn't be.
 
No worries.


Seems to me that the gay marriage issue isn't so much about rights (who's preventing LGBT couples from forming a life long relationship?) but more about the label, where the traditional definition includes 'a man and a woman', and the LGBT community wants to redefine that term. That seems to be more a cultural issue than one of rights.

Both the institution of marriage and the LGBT community predate Christianity. It would seem therefore that Christianity has sought to redefine it.
 
i still say what the county gives everyone should be a civil union certificate....and everyone with one of those gets the exact same rights and privileges

and then, if you want to get "married", you go to your temple, church, mosque, etc, and have the religious ceremony performed....with no additional penalties or bonuses for the title married

everyone can say they are married.....everyone gets the same rights.....everyone is under the same laws

and the churches/religions still have their sacrosanct title to marriage to give to their parishioners

i dont know why this hasnt happened.....it is the most logical thing to make everyone happy.....

That quite possibly could answer this dilemma.
 
The US is a country with lots of Christians in it. That doesn't make it a "Christian nation."

Only in the sense of perception. And we all know how often perception trumps reality.
 
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