Why is the Idea of a "Christian-based America" Being Promoted so Heavily?

Question

Is this about Christians celebrating their heritage and demonstrating that America was based on Biblical ideas. Or is it perhaps a way to exploit historical amnesia and encourage voters to embrace not just ultra-right-wing Evangelical Christian ideas, but to embrace it as an identity indistinguishable from American?

Odindmar, I'd be *thrilled* if Middle Eastern countries would "denounce" Islam. I think it would help solve a lot of problems. They could benefit from a separation of church & state even more than we could.

Answer 1

"The Church has through the centuries, understood that ideas are really more dangerous than other weapons. Their use should be restricted.”
Francis J. Lally, American Roman Catholic Monsignor. Interview with Mike Wallace, 1958.

“All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.” Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason, pt. 1, "The Author's Profession of Faith" (1794).

“It is not God that is worshipped but the group or authority that claims to speak in His name. Sin becomes disobedience to authority not violation of integrity.” Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Quoted in: J. A. C. Brown, Techniques of Persuasion, ch. 11 (1965)

"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity." Thomas Jefferson

"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution."
-- James Madison

“The long-term goal of Christians in politics should be to gain exclusive control over the franchise. Those who refuse to submit publicly to the eternal sanctions of God by submitting to His Church's public marks of the covenant - baptism and holy communion - must be denied citizenship, just as they were in ancient Israel.”
Gary North - Political Polytheism: The Myth of Pluralism (1989)

“I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good... Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a biblical duty, we are called on by God to conquer this country. We don't want equal time. We don't want pluralism.”
Randall Terry - The News Sentinel, (Fort Wayne, Indiana), August 16, 1993.

“We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand.”
James Watt, Secretary of the Interior under Ronald Reagan. Washington Post, May 24, 1981.

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The Mayflower Compact was not the Declaration of Independence nor was it the Constitution.

The US was founded upon Deism, not Christianity. Three of the first four founding presidents publicly denounced Christianity.

The concept of "deism" covers a wide variety of positions on a wide variety of religious issues. Following Sir Leslie Stephen's English Thought in the Eighteenth Century, most commentators agree that two features constituted the core of deism:

* the rejection of revealed religion — This was the negative or critical aspect of deism.
* the belief that reason leads us to certain basic religious truths — This was the positive or constructive aspect of deism.

Deist authors advocated a combination of both critical and constructive elements in proportions and emphases that varied from author to author.

Critical elements of deist thought included:

* Rejection of all religions based on books that claim to contain the revealed word of God.
* Rejection of the claim that the Bible is the revealed word of God.
* Rejection of reports of miracles and prophecies.
* Rejection of religious "mysteries" such as the doctrines of transsubstantiation, the Trinity, the Incarnation, etc.
* Rejection of the Genesis story of creation and the doctrine of original sin.
* Rejection of only the parts of the Bible that contain miracles, prophecies, or mysteries.
* Rejection of Christianity.

Constructive elements of deist thought included:

* God exists and created the universe.
* God wants human beings to behave morally.
* Human beings have souls that survive death, i.e. there is an afterlife.
* In the afterlife, God will reward moral behavior and punish immoral behavior.

Some Deists rejected the claim of Jesus's divinity, but continued to hold him in high regard as a moral teacher (see, for example, Thomas Jefferson's famous Jefferson Bible). Other, more radical, Deists rejected Christianity altogether, and expressed hostility toward Christianity which they regarded as pure superstition. In return, Christian writers often charged radical Deists with atheism.

As you will note, God is not mentioned once in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. A Creator is mentioned, but not the Christian, Jewish, Muslim or any other specific god.

It was never meant to be a Christian nation, but rather a nation where all religions may flourish of their own accord.

Answer 2

Pls. Don't go back!

Your Early Fathers have already destroyed all non-christian societies and cultures!

You will not find Red Indian Tribes with their native society & culture in North America and Maya Tribes and cultures in South America.

I think hidden agenda is "Chritian-based World"

Work in progress can be seen in Iraq, Afghanistan and Midle East!

Next trget is Iran and Pakistan Etc. Etc...

See you in church after Crussade II...

Answer 3

Well, Christianity is the starting religion of the United States of America. It was Christians that organized public education here on this side of the globe. The Christian references are all throughout our constitution.

Would you ask the middle eastern countries to denounce Islam? Of course you wouldn't. It's very much part of their culture. So, with this in mind, why should USA denounce Christianity?

Now, I'm not saying that the Christian church show be a legal power in the US. That would be unfair to the rest of the religions. How ever, it should be acknowledge the in creation of out great Country. Best wishes.

Answer 4

probably to avoid becoming as secular as Europe

The US was founded on a mixture of views, there were Chrsitian, Diest and enlightenment...however the strongest omf;uence was

now the seperation of church and state as opposed to the establishment clause... theres a historical erviosion for you
"The garden of the church should be protected from the howling wilderness of the world bya high wall of seperation" Roger Williams Is that or the establishment clause the way it's pressented today NOT

Answer 5

Exploit historical amnesia? Ha! Read a real history book!

Answer 6

Its to help get America back to being a great nation. Thats why we elect leaders and dont listen to every beer drinking slob with an opinion on how to run the United States.

Look at the Mayflower compact and the principles under which America was founded. Here are some blurbs: "We, the aforesigned in the presence of each other and God....one nation under God...to expand the Christian faith...."

Look at the principles practiced today, by everyone, Christians included.

What happened 100 years ago to start this change? Thats when we started seperating God from state, then school, then media, then our lives.

We are living in a secular sewer of immorality, violence, guns in the schools, addictions, perversity, pornography and greed.

I'm not saying Christians dont do this also. I'm saying to going back to what made america great is not a bad idea.

Thanks for letting me share my opinion

David

Answer 7

but but ... the poor American Christians are soooooooo persecuted. they have no power to promote anything on their own behalf. they can only rely on God and a great big lobby in Washington DC. lobbyists and buying the co operation of Congress persons costs BIG BUCKs so make your love donation at your nearest mega church.

Answer 8

America wasn't based on Biblical ideals. The founding fathers were Deists. The idea of a "Christian-based America" is being promoted by Christians so they can push their political agenda and force Christianity on everyone else.

Answer 9

The UNITED STATES was not based on the Bible, in fact it was defeated. The United States was based upon Deists, many of whom didn't care for Christians very much.

Answer 10

Its just another way to help conformity along. When you think of the 'true' American language do you think of English, or do you think of a Native tongue that is long since dead? Its all about conformity.