If America was founded to be a Christian nation, as many fundamentalist Christians insist, why isn't .........

Question

the Ten Commandments or Jesus mentioned in the Constitution or in any federal law pertaining to the required following of the Bible?Is the sentence "you shall have no other God before me" or the sentence "You shall not make for yourself an image, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" found in our laws?


For those of you who don't understand what it is I am asking, I am aware of the separation of church and state.But some fundamentalists aren't.They insist that America is a Christian nation and was founded on the Bible.They claim that everything American was born in their faith.And they insist that we must return to this "past time" of being true Christians who follow the Bible.So, this question is directed at them.

For those in denial about the fact that no where in the Constitution or in any nationally inforced law is there a mention of following, specifically the Bible, quote me a national law or Constitutional mention of the word Christ, Bible, or Jesus.Can't?Thought so.If you are going to answer the question then reread it.Of course "God" is mentioned.But whose God and what rules?And how can anyone enforce a faith when no one faith is mentioned?

Answer 1

They confuse being founded *because* of religion with being founded *on* religion. There's no doubt that the early settlers came here to have a place where they could practice their religion free of persecution, but I would think, that having experienced that, they wouldn't wanted to happen to anyone else. Even if they aren't puritan. Because, after all, the christian settlers weren't fleeing jews, or muslims, or atheists. They were fleeing other christians, who just happened to have a slightly different way of worshiping the same god.

Answer 2

You are misinterpreting the idea of a "christian nation" It does not mean that Christianity is mandated. In otherwords, the government is not saying that you are to be a Christian from the religious standpoint. The constitution was written with the intent that the government was not allowed to interfere with the free practice of religion. As the forefathers of what is now the USA were of European background, Judeo-Christian was the most common belief system. You will note that the great majority of our laws dictating moral behavior are taken from the Ten Commandments. That is why those commandments were placed in so many government buildings. They were the "faith" of our first leaders.

Answer 3

They say that because alot of political figures say they're Christian thus, some fundies think that means this is a Christian country. I also think a poll was taken and most people say they're a Christian or something to that effect. Of course, it's NOT a Christian nation. If it was founded on that, it would be in the Constitution like you said. It was founded on religious freedom. Nothing more. I don't think all of the founding fathers were Christians and the whole point of creating another nation was to get the church out of the goverment and the right to choose whatever religion you like without being killed for it.

Answer 4

1) there is No "separation of church and state", that is being misunderstood and misrepresented. This statement came from "one" letter written by Thomas Jefferson.

2) when our documents talk about the Government not making laws concerning church - they meant that the State (country, nation, USA) would not do what England did, by forcing citizens to be members of The Church of ENGLAND.

3) The Ten Commandments are the basis of our laws - plain and simple

4) it is not a "claim", take a good long look at the buildings in Washington, DC

5) "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator ..."

6) "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Did you notice the words "no law respecting an Establishment of religion or Prohibiting the Free Exercise thereof"?

7) there is a "prayer room/chapel" inside the building where Congress meets

8) Supreme Court, Congress, and House of Representatives are opened with "prayer"

9) Historical paintings in the Capitol Building Rotunda::

Baptism of Pochontas

Discovery of the Mississippi - "To the right, a monk prays as a crucifix is set in the ground."

Embarkation of the Pilgrims - "July 22, 1620 - William Brewster, holding the Bible, and pastor John Robinson lead Governor Carver, William Bradford, Miles Standish, and their families in prayer."

10) above the US flag in the House of Representatives are the words ::
"In God We Trust"

11) historical figures in the National Staturay Halls include but are not limited to :

Father Damien = "ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu."

Mother Joseph = "Sisters of Charity of Providence in Montreal, lead missionaries to the Pacific Northwest Territories"

Father Junipero Serra = "Serra was ascetic and uncompromising in his zeal to convert the Indians to Christianity and to make his missions self sufficient"

John Winthrop = "In 1645 Winthrop was instrumental in forming the United Colonies and served as its first president." He was a Puritan.

Brigham Young = President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
________________________________________

I think that speaks for what this nation stands for and was built upon. But you don't have to believe if you don't want to, that is your decision; just make sure it is an educated one.

Answer 5

America WAS founded as a Christian nation. The difference is that within it, there has always been freedom of conscience, where the state itself has not supported one group over another. There has always been diversity. And there has always been a mosiac of all faiths within it. This can be supported by the simple evidence of the oaths made for office, "So help me God."
As far as going back to the Bible, I would suggest to you, that it would be folly to depart from it, that such a "french revolution" or "republican spain" solution is a non-starter.

Answer 6

England and France first used America to send their criminals, just like they did with Australia. Then people came to america so they could practice any religion they wanted to, not just Christianity. It was the only place where people couldn't tell you what to worship because they were 5 thousand miles away across the ocean and couldn't reach you. America was founded on the hard labor of millions of people and the sacrfices of many more millions of honest, hard working people from all countries who wanted a better life. I think we need to remember that rather than trying to force a certain religion on everyone.

Answer 7

Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men

with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

1787 Northwest Ordinance
Article 3;
Religion, Morality, and Knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.

George Washington Farewell Address
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports

Ben Franklin
5 fundamentals of All sound religion
I believe in 1 God, the creator of the universe. That he governs by his providence. that he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render him is to do good to his children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.

This is the religious tenants the founders wanted for Americans.

Sam Adams
These tenants "the religion of America and are the religion of all mankind

Thomas Jefferson
These basic beliefs are the principles "in which God has united us all"

10 commandments on the supreme court building of the US (wonder why the atheists never go after that one)

Answer 8

It is a Christian nation IN NAME ONLY.
It never was --nor will be-- truly Christian ...

Christendom Has Betrayed God and the Bible :
- Unbiblical Doctrines
- - Ungodly Actions
- - - Not Christian
http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/kn37/article_01.htm

Identifying the Wild Beast and Its Mark http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/4/1/article_02.htm

Advanced On-site Search
(In case a link becomes modified, this can be used.) http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm

Answer 9

Well, you probably don't want to hear from me because i agree with you. I'm a firm believer of separation of state and church. Yes the founding fathers wanted separation! Also, did you know that "in god we trust" on our money was not put there until the 1950s (usa).

http://ffrf.org/

Answer 10

The Arabs call us the Great Satan. I think people better start opening their eyes to what is really going down.666