Why do people resort to comparing the U.S. to Islamic countries when debating prayer/religion in schools?

Question

I'd like for someone to explain the logic of this debate with me. It basically says that if we move to an Islamic country, like Iran, that we shouldn't expect them to quit holding public prayers. So why should it be any different in the U.S., which is a "Christian" country?

But in the U.S., I thought we have the First Amendment which says that the government can not make laws that respect the establishment of religion or prohibit the exercise thereof. We also have established the separation of church and state.

So am I to believe that, since this country is allegedly founded on Christian principles, that we should adopt the same mentality and practices of countries like Iran?

(Some even go so far as to resort to a "love it or leave it" mentality.)

Am I not getting something here? Or maybe I am, and I just really don't like the sounds of it.

Sorry, should read "I'd like for someone to explain the logic of this debate to me (not "with me".)

Please notice the scare quotes around "Christian" as to say "so-called Christian", followed later by the word "alleged."

No sir/mam, I am not "framing this debate." I have read it a few times in response to other questions on this topic and I am trying to get my head around it.

Answer 1

Well the United States is not officially a christian country. According to the first amendment government cannot sponsor religion; they cannot stop any from practicing it but they cannot choose one over another and endorse it.

Our forefathers were Deists. Even they knew about the intolerant start to America and they were trying to avoid that. In the 1600's there were many deaths on our soil due to religious intolerance. Those who helped framed this country, men like Thomas Jefferson, were trying to ensure that each person had the basic right to their own belief.

To put any belief system as the officially correct belief system would lead to discrimination against those who do not believe in it. As for the love it or leave it propaganda; that is just another pretty way of dressing up intolerance.

Answer 2

Watch out, last time I called the U.S. a Christian country all the Christians started yelling at me. They where like "Noooo, the U.S. is secular." The U.S. should never adopt the mentality of a religious nation, even though it has in a way. The U.S. was founded on the principals of the separation of church and state, it should stay that way.

*edit* Like I said, count how many times they say the U.S. is secular and not a Christian country.

Answer 3

Considering that America has the religious ferver of a 3rd world country I understand the use of the comparision.

It is however diffrent in the US because we are a secular country. The Christians caused the false lable of us being a Christian country. Historically we started off as a secular country created mostly by Deists.

If we become more like Iran with their religious zeal then I am going to move to Canada, UK, Japan, or Australia. All of those are high in education, low in crime, and high in percentages of Atheists.

Answer 4

New England was colonized, by Christians. The had a very strong 'love it or leave it' attitude. The quote of their day was, "go west young man'. Quite a few years later, The United States of America was founded, as a secular state, constituted on principals seen as obvious (self-evident), and derived from their culture (European Christian). At that point in history, sovereign such as Delaware, and Maryland were free to prohibit any thing they wanted (such as Catholicism), and to embrace anything (slavery) as well. Eighty seven years after the foundation, on a battlefield in Pennsylvania, President Lincoln declared the birth of a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that you are always free to get the hell out. Later developments in Europe and Asia (Word Wars), required direct military response to foreign threats, and a new development in American ideology; love it, leave it, and don't raise your snake head, or you will be stomped to the earth. Is Osama listening?

Answer 5

Technically, we're not a "Chrisitian country". Religious freedom is part of the basis of the U.S. You can very well hold public prayers-what is church, after all? Keep in mind that mnay of the older laws and admendments no longer are held in such high reagrd-for instance, the law sating that you can sue anyone as long as the value of the lawsuit os over @20, is no longer held accountable when $50 lawsuits come in.

Answer 6

Are you framing this debate?We also have freedom to practice any religion separation clause merely means the government shall have no Formal religion like Britain had at time of writing by founding fathers.

Answer 7

Well, a person could take the opposite tack and argue that a daily prayer(that a person has the option to opt out of)at school is trivial thing, but having all women wear sacks on their heads all the time etc. is whole different kettle of fish.

Answer 8

The same reason they compare use 3rd world countries in comparison when I say we are not a free country. No, this country isnt 3rd world and it is a better place to live but in comminist China and most other civilised nations there are many more freedoms.

Answer 9

I had a substantial skipping habit in HS. I used to pass to my chum's homestead till now college, hotbox interior the bathing room and then verify if we felt like going. each and every so often we stayed in and each so often we confirmed up fried. If we confirmed up, we could pass smoke up back at lunch time. One time, I screwed up so huge at an identical time as skipping, i became too scared to stand my mothers and dads for a week. merely took off settee surfing. i'm shocked i in my view went decrease back. they might desire to have merely murdered me. fairly, I graduated and thoroughly wiped clean up my act. nonetheless embarrassed by the quantity of skipping I did and the crap I have been given as much as.

Answer 10

U.S.A. is a secular country.There is freedom of faith.Majority are Christians.And Christianity permits debate.