Which Christian values was our nation founded on?

Question

People on here keep claiming that the US is a christian nation, founded on Christian principles. Since the first amendment to the Constitution clearly outlines that gov't and religion should stay seperate, which values are they talking about?

And before you answer, make sure the values you mention are SPECIFIC to Christianity and NO OTHER religion or belief system. That means stealing, raping and murder are out - people could figure out that was wrong long before the Bible came around. We have lots of ancient laws like that.

So, what Christian values?

No, Gary, that doesn't answer the question. Those are the quotes I keep hearing - so WHAT part of the bible? In specific? Which principles that only apply to Christianity are found in our laws? Please explain.

The Constitution is NOT based on the 10 commandments. It actually violates several - adultery is not illegal, nor is worshipping other gods, working on Sunday, swearing, or building false idols. That's 5 right there.

Muggles - no, the phrase 'seperation of church and state' is not in the constitution or bill of rights. However, the first amendment DOES say 'the gov't shall not respect the establishment of religion', which means the same thing. Reading comprehension skills required.

Lola - when I said not specific to Christianity, there were laws and rules in place thousands of years before Christianity saying that it was wrong to steal, rape, and kill. Those were not new notions, only found in the Bible. People had already figured that out, so we don't need the Bible to tell us that.

Answer 1

The United States was not founded on Christian morals and was not founded for Christians. It was found BY Christians for the purpose of religious freedom, not just the dominance of one religion.

Answer 2

Good question.

The Christian values and principles this country was based upon wasn't something really based on law. It was moral law if anything. The mere posting of the Ten Commandments in courtrooms throughout the nation is a sure testimony to the Christian belief system.

If you take a look at the majority of our old documents such as the Mayflower compact or the letters written by most of our founding fathers you'll see a Christian theme.

Our first amendment gives the right for anyone to practice whatever religion they desire. This includes Christianity which most of our founding fathers followed. The basic motive behind the first amendment was for this nation never to "force" their beliefs upon their citizens as did England at that time.

Answer 3

uh, the second paragraph of your question is a little odd. You are asking for values specific to Christianity and then list stealing, raping and murder as examples of things that are not specific to Christianity which implies they are normally part of other religions.

Your logic alludes me! Do they not teach critical thinking in schools any more? I guess it's my fault, because as a taxpayer, I always vote against more funding for schools.

Anyway -- why don't you ask these "people on here" who "claim that the U.S. is a christian nation" what they are basing this statement on? Because, as you say, an important part of the Constitution contains language about separation of church and state. Perhaps you should remind these "people on here" about the first amendment.

Glad to know they are still teaching the Constitution in schools.

Answer 4

this is a very good question although nowhere in the Constitution is "separation of church and state" mentioned. That is a side issue. I believe only that our great nation was founded by mostly Christians to escape religious tyranny so any and all faiths could be practised without fear of reprisal. Freedom of Religion was the goal, so everyone no matter what could be free to practise their religion. I don't know about values Specific to Christianity, but I know many of our founding fathers had deep Christian convictions.

Answer 5

Probably the Thanksgiving celebration may give a clue to your question, since legend has it that the pilgrims reunited with their families to thank God for the goods mother earth gave to them , hence solidarity and thankfulness were values taken in count, but you must not forget that it is not quite true that pilgrims abandoned England for lack of religious freedom: actually the masses thought of them as something close to religious radicals ,"fundamentalists" -to use modern words- and they found themselves being harrased by those who not shared their views, not precisely the state. That, I think, explains the existence of many radical Christian denominations in the USA, a very fundamental interpretation of the Bible is what somehow characterizes these groups and such fundamentalism probably has its origin back in those Pilgrims days. Remember that England went through hard political and social changes in the XVIITh century, and many left the country to establish abroad.
Greetings from San Salvador, El Salvador.

Answer 6

They can't specifically answer that question because the U.S wasn't founded on Christian values! In God We Trust wasn't on the money until 1950. You mean to tell me this country is only 56 years old? The same with the Under God line in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Answer 7

When the first settlers came to this land they were escaping the monarchy and religion (catholic) in Europe. They did attempt to have bible doctrine as a set of laws to guide them by.

But really, Jesus himself was tempted by Satan, The bible states Satan is the god of this world. Which is why due to bible prophecy says good will be bad and bad will be good. Not so much christian values, but influenced by Satan.

Answer 8

You're right. America has a Christian heritage, but the Constitution was not based on the Bible.

Answer 9

Well I think that some of the founding ideas like equality and justice for all are Christian morals, but this are just general good morals which doesn't mean that the country is founded on Christianity, rather it is founded on treating each other well

Answer 10

The same values they brought with them from England, and that was the Church of England values, they were patriots at first and most of these English people were faithful to England and the church of England, along with the renegade religions, remember these were the same people that burned witches alive at the stake.

Answer 11

Our nation was developed by Christians with the pretense of acting in God's name but the evidence is to the contrary. This nation was built with the intelligence and labor of the minority for the majority to exceed and excel. It was a widely accepted view that "Christians" had the responsibility to save the world from itself by traveling to spread the gossip and civilize others. The truth is the conquered people were already civilized but were forced to give up their ways of life to follow Chrisitian values.