Christians, how would you consider this quote if it were made by a politician today?

Question

This is not meant to be antagonistic toward non-Christians, and in fact is not really directed to non-Christians at all (though anyone is free to comment). I am just interested to see how different, if at all, is the sentiment in our nation toward the importance of Christianity in government today as opposed to the time of our founding….Here is the quote:

John Jay (First chief justice of the Supreme Court, one of the three men most responsible for the Constitution) – “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty – as well as the privilege and interest – of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers”.

Thanks….

(Sorry, I didn't mean to assume everyone here is American....this obviously refers to America)

Answer 1

You know, I would love it if our leaders had this kind of conviction and integrity. Many people are unaware that 52 of the 55 framers of the Constitution were active members of their local church, some were preachers. Unfortunately, as someone has already pointed out in their answer, it would be political suicide these days. Our society has become so anti-Christian.

James Madison, proclaimed that they (referring to the framers of the US Constitution) had staked their lives, fortunes and freedom on their ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all of their hearts.

A lot of people are not aware that SCOTUS handed down a ruling in the 1800's (I wish I could remember the exact year, but it escapes me right now) that America was founded as a Christian Nation.

This stuff just is not taught in American history anymore. Noah Webster, also a framer of the Constitution and creator of the Webster's Dictionary, could quote the Bible by chapter and verse. Webster even went so far as to include scriptures from the Bible in his first Dictionary.

Answer 2

Well, you have to realize that the US was founded by some conservative Christian protestants who were run out of their country for trying to practice their religion. Although ideally the founding fathers wanted us to have freedom of religion: they were all - to a man - Christians, all men, and all Caucasian gentlemen with good educations (you needed a lot money for education in those days).

When they wrote that all "men" were created equal; they really did mean men because they would have been appalled if anyone in their day suggested women should have a voice in government.

In John Jay's time I am sure he thought that the nation could only successfully be governed by Christians because he only knew Christians and he thought it was the only right religion.

We know the founding fathers had feet of clay. We know Jefferson wrote all about the rights of men and yet, he kept slaves all his life and had a slave mistress and several secret children with his mistress.

I think they set down a lot of idealistic writings which they never really thought would be taken literally, but how nice for us that someone had some sort of forethought to imagine how things might be in the future. They also never imagined women would be more than homemakers and domestic slaves.

Now we have diverse religions in this country due to immigration. We also have good education prospects for even very poor people. We are a nation of diverse races and religions. We still operate under the premise of freedom of religion. Just as we operate under the premis that we are a free country.

John Jay was not a racist or religious fanatic he was simply operating on the knowledge he had at the time. Things are a lot different now but the miracle that these men produced is the Constitution is as viable a set of laws now, as it was 200+ years ago.

Answer 3

It would not be well received. Today, even minor gaffes are blown all out of proportion. Consider slips of the tongue like Kerry's recent comment about the intelligence of our soldiers or Bush's numerous slip ups.

However, all that aside, John Jay was right. The Constitution was written to parallel a passage of the Bible and was designed with its checks and balances to curb the power of the government and contain the sinfulness of the of those who serve. However, Jay noted that if those who depart from the Christian notion that people have a sinful nature come to power, the system will not protect the people. thus, as more and more secular people get involved in politics and Christians withdraw from the world, we see more and more that the government turns to avarice (deficit spending), stealing (use of imminent domain to take property from one citizen to give it to another citizen), and idolatry (setting the State up as the all powerful and all providing grantor of sustenance).

Answer 4

Frankly, i individually could no longer care much less what day Christians think of they're meant to worship on, or what the Bible does or would not say approximately it. this is reasonable to end that even the earliest Christian congregations (who have been a mix of the two Jews and gentiles) held distinctive suggestions and accompanied all varieties of distinctive practices, and worshipped on the two saturday and sunday counting on community custom. The rulers of Rome and Constantinople later standardized and enforced sunday worship in all probability to finally ruin unfastened from the previous Jewish traditions. after all, i won't be in a position to make certain any economic or sensible clarification for having a "day of relax" enforced via the government on all of us, and it smacks of no longer something greater suitable than religious doctrine. And final I checked, we at the instant are not residing under a theocracy. shoppers, storeowners, and workers ought to have a superb to return to a call while this is maximum handy and rewarding for them to artwork or do business employer. Telling those that they could't artwork, do business employer, or purchase booze on sunday is largely a disquise for telling them they're meant to be in church. And it additionally isn't honest to human beings of different religions at the same time with Jews and seventh Day Adventists who be conscious a distinctive day of the week. shop the government out of it, and enable the unfastened marketplace come to a call!

Answer 5

I think that It's true, but I feel that it must be awfully difficult not to let yourself be corrupted by the power. Can you imagine all the SECRETS that must be passed down from one president (or in my case in Canada, Prime Minister) to the next? I find it hard to find a lot of "honest" people in politics nowadays...I know, that's a generalization, but ya hafta admit, it's easy to get jaded!

Answer 6

There's nothing wrong with it. Democracy = majority rules. The ones who have the problem with it are the ones in the minority who have unpopular views. Unfortunately, they are usually the ones who scream the loudest.

Answer 7

John Jay is way off.
If he knew his Bible, he would realize Jesus wants his followers to stay out of the politics of this world.
Twice they came to make Jesus king.
Twice he ran away from the opportunity.
What does that tell us?
As well, he said ......John 17:15,16

Answer 8

It would be political suicide today. Morals aren't in vogue at the moment.

Answer 9

I think it is our responsibility to vote for the best, but so many vote their pocketbook or their lifestyle instead of their conscience. I always vote Christian or to the best of my ability to find them.

Answer 10

Well he's cool!
I don't think any politician today would say that.