Is the Bible the source of American values?

Answer 1

I agree with the quote about John Locke.

I've seen quotes of founding fathers mentioning God as their foundation for equality and justice, and they did believe in Manifest Destiny, but I am sort of against saying this but I have to anyways: The founding father's used the sensible bible passages to create the basis for american values.

Answer 2

I assume that, when you're speaking of American values, you mean such things as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Those espoused in such founding documents as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

If so, then no. Not at all. The bible runs contrary to many of the ideas contained in those documents. The writers of said documents flat out rejected the biblical god, especially the one portrayed in the Old Testament. Instead, they based the documents on the philosophies of the Enlightenment, particularly John Locke.

Where does the bible guarantee freedom of speech? Where does it guarantee freedom of religion (in this case, where does it proclaim even a hint of tolerance for other religions)? Where does it speak of humans having natural rights? What about federal vs. state power? Or the system of checks and balances that provide protection for the citizenry? What about the ability of the people to change the constitution if they wish? Can they do that to the bible?

Answer 3

no. The humanistic values of the Enlightenment were the source of American values.

The bible is the source of bigotry and intolerance, though. Those have become American values at various times.

The bible was also the source of values for colonial Salem, Mass.; the Inquisition, the Witch Burnings, the Crusades, and the Indian genocides.

Answer 4

Some, but not many, and the Bible, itself, is not really a primary source. First, the Bible was written by many people with various agendas. It's advice ranges from "love thy neighbor as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18) to "Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones." (Psalms 137:9). People tend to pick and choose which parts they follow. And that trend evolves as the religion evolves. The better advice given by the Bible tends to be more universal values that most humans come to, religious or not.

Answer 5

Yes. This country was founded by Christian men who applied Biblical principles to form this nation. And for a long time, those values were shared by the vast majority.

Recently, however, our values have changed dramatically. We are kicking out God and His ways as the foundation to our values. This is not new. Israel did the same thing long ago....

Answer 6

Yes, at least it has been in the past but unfortunately times are changing. Relativism and Pluralism is altering this nation into something unlike the America of times past. I hope America wakes up and remembers it's christian bible based foundation.

Answer 7

LOL.

No! Many of the values in the Bible are pretty horrid.

Answer 8

The writings of John Locke are more than the Bible is.

Answer 9

Pretty much. Everywhere you look there are links to christianity in the US. The supreme court has an etching of the 10 commandments on the doors. I think this is somewhat hypocritical considering its supposed to be the 'free world', hardly free where christians have the upper hand.

Answer 10

The Constitution doesn't say ANYTHING about evolution. If you think I'm related to some monkey, you're blind. Uh, oh. Time to shave. I'm getting 5'oclock shadow.