How much of a hold do you think Christianity and the church has on U.S. government?

Question

Any examples you can give would be nice.

Answer 1

I believe they have a lot of influence. An example would be the President himself. He started a war based on lies just so he could try to convert them all to Christianity.

Hugs

Answer 2

It deppends on what you mean by "Christianity." In many respects Christians bring their ethics and values to political life--and that of course has an influence, but I wouldn't call it a "hold" on the government.

But, if you are talking about the extremist cults on the right that falsely call themselves "Christian"--they have had a pernicious hold on the government at all levels for the last few years--thoough that is eroding rapidly.

Examples:
The not-so subtle intimidation of teachers if they don't include religious doctrines like "creationism" in science classes.
Bush's veto of the stem cell research bill
Attempts to block hat crime legislation that would include gays

You could also make a good arguement that the policies in the Iraq war (such as they are) are motivated at least partly by this element's open prejudice against Muslims.

However, again note--none of this is supported by real Christians.

Answer 3

Far too much. America’s Founding Fathers did all they could to keep religion out of our government and public life.

America’s democratic republic was the first 100% secular government in human history. The US Constitution (the sole document establishing the US government) does not contain a single mention of God, Jesus, or Christianity. Article VI demands that elected officials swear an oath to the [secular] Constitution and nothing else.

This truth was reinforced in 1797 when the US Congress unanimously (only the 3rd Congressional unanimous vote in the nation’s history) and without objection passed the following, which President John Adams signed into law (it was drafted in 1796 during George Washington’s last year in office):

•“As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion…”

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplom...

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trebor namyl hcaeb --

You need to take your own advice. You have not really studied any of this, have you? You are just repeating right-wing lies and historical falsehoods and pretending like you know what you are talking about, aren't you.

Answer 4

I believe christianity have a significant but unessasary role in our government. Officials use those beleifs to get elected and most of our laws are made based on christian theories that state this or that is wrong. Not based on morals like killing stealing and so on but matters that affect personal life like what we can or can't do with our own bodies. one area I am certain of is the way drug issues are handled. We are arrested for taking drugs because the christians say its bad then the government systems approve you for treatment (aa/na) that is a faith based program that forces you to choose one god and pray that god will take away your desire to use. If you don't meditate and confess to this god you will fail and be on the streets in no time. For there to be a seperation in church/state the line is erased for this aspect. People charged with drug offenses must take these classes to satisfy the courts. If in government there is no god,why are these programs still being facilitated by the states? God saving the drug addict seems to be the only option in their eyes and that's a small minded and discriminating way to administer "treatment".

Answer 5

I think that your asking is more about the christians themselves instead of their religion, but they go hand in hand. I think its more of an under the table situation where its almost unconscious to how the christian values have changed the way our government officials have and will vote.

Answer 6

This morning I received another e-mail by a group called Jerusalem Prayer Team, led by Mike Evans.

The mail was titled AMERICA ATTACK NOW!!!

It was promoting a book written by Evans, extracts from which I've seen and are utter nonsense. And urging the Bush Administration to attack Iran now, before it's "too late".

I'm a Christian and continue to receive these e-mails to keep abreast of the folly pursued by the right wing in Jesus' name.

Answer 7

too much if you ask me. what ever happened to the first amendment???

"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."

apparently our own president cant even follow the first amendment...how very sad. hes so busy saying hes a man of god when USA is supposedly a country that favors no religion.

and doesnt the government have like bible study classes that they attend to? holy crap.

Answer 8

Not enough!!!!

We were founded as a Christian nation! Read some of the history of the founding of our country, the Declaration of Independence, The U. S. Constitution, the "Federalist Papers" and some of George Washington's speeches, especially his "Farewell Address"!

Answer 9

a chokehold in some areas. thankfully still somewhat a democracy. the U.S people associate morals with christians and immoral with atheist. so of course the chances of any amount of atheist government isn't tolerated well.

Answer 10

I am an optomist.

Personally I think religious orginizations have marginal infuence on the american goverment.

Then again I could be wrong.