Why do the "Christian Nation" Americans hang on to history so much?

Question

In Western Europe (which is the part of the world that comes closest to the American society), with a little imagination most nations can be seen as Christian Nations. Simply because in ancient times most people were Christians in those countries.

In these days 7% of the Western Europeans frequently visits a Church. Among those 7% are Christians but also Muslims.

America will, of course, go into this same direction. We can see that the younger generation are less devout Christians, or not even Christians anymore.

How long will this 'hanging on to history' last? If in a hundred years only 5% of the population is Christian, will they still be screaming about what a great Christian Nation the USA is?

I'm asking, because I fail to see the purpose of claiming a nation to be Christian of nature. Don't people make a nation? Or do nations make people?

Answer 1

I think you are making a few assumptions here that aren't quite accurate. Church attendance does not equate religious devotion. I've known many a Christian who was deeply devoted, but did not attend church. So, this isn't to say that Western Europe has renounced religion as a part or way of life. If you can find me a demographic statistics (several from multiple sources would be better) that says Western Europeans prefer secular philosophies over religions belief, then I'll go with you on that journey.

With that assumption, you also then assume that calling a country a Christian nation will become a part of history and is not reflective of current lifestyles. Again, I can't say I agree. See above.

At the heart of Christianity are some basic tenants of life that, I think, everyone can agree with. The most basic element of Christianity is love. So, in that sense, to be called a Christian nation is a compliment and something all nations should strive for.

Sadly, this is not what Christianity is always about. So, then, I come to a question for you: what, exactly, do Christians mean when they refer to this country as a Christian country? What are the parameters of the use of this phrase?

I'm up for debate. You? :D

With all respect and appreciation for your question, I disagree with the premise of your logic.

Answer 2

It's not "hanging onto a nation" it's hanging onto a Christian World view. There's a huge difference. The way we look at Theology, Philosophy, Biology, Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, History, Law, Politics and Economics are all addressed in the Bible. So for a Christian it's not just the nation, it's the character of the World.
History is part of a world view. Their view of history is tied to their Christianity. So it isn't gonna go away as long as Christians are here.

Answer 3

It's winding down, isn't it? Fortunately for us, that's exactly what the Bible said would happen. Being Christian will soon become an extremely unpopular condition to the rest of the world. Soon afterward, the "anti-christ" will appear, preaching world unity. Time is running out. Some people ought to think about investing in an asbestos suit.

Answer 4

Markky, would it surprise you very much if I told you that savvy Christians already expect this, based on prophecy?
We know that it is inevitable...the "beast" (not a man, but a system) will make war with the "saints" (Christians) and, I'm afraid, overcome them. You will see the church and the Bible decline, more and more, until the world thinks that it is dead, and there will be those who celebrate, as if it were Christmas...or should I say "winter holidays"?? (Rev 13:6)
But, Markyy, don't get too excited when you see this, because prophecy is not quite finished yet. There is more. Those two witnesses (yeah, I know, some folks think these witnesses are men, but we know they are the Body and the Word of Christ...that is, His Book, and His Followers) are dead, and won't even get a decent "burial"...but (and don't say your old friend didn't warn you), you will see those two witnesses get back up on their feet, as God breathes new life into them...just before He calls them home, and shuts the gate, forever. (Rev 11)
It makes me sad to know that the church is dying, but it has definitely outlived it's usefulness in the world. We've just about done what we were sent to do...there is hardly a dark corner of the globe left that has not had the Christian message brought to it.
Now, you know, and I know that America was once a great nation...yes, Markyy, a great CHRISTIAN nation...otherwise, all those Christian symbols you and your friends keep complaining about wouldn't be there, now would they? I mean, for most of America's history, the ten commandments have been in our courts, and nobody really minded. We swore "on the Bible", even as kids (and sometimes, even if we were fibbing). Those crosses didn't just grow in place...some of them have been there for decades...or even longer. Kids once leaned to read from the Bible...and school opened with prayer. Science was still taught in the classroom...and no "Creationists" came forward to complain about it. God and science co-existed quite well with one another. Congress still opens each session with Christian prayer to this day, why deny it? So, someone found a clause in a treaty...big huge deal! Whatever the founding fathers meant to do, and I still say they meant to build a Christian nation, since there are too many mentions of God in their writings to simply ignore, they did, indeed, found a Christian nation. Seriously, why bother to deny it? Does it really matter, since, as you say, the times, they are a-changin?
It is a matter of history that the Jews tossed God out of the throne room, back in the time of Samuel. (You can read about it in your Bible. You do have one, I'm sure, but if not, I'm fairly sure you know how to find one online.) And, as you can see, they didn't do terribly well without Him, just as He had told them, through His prophet, Samuel They had been warned that their human kings would be avaricious and cruel...and guess what? You guessed it! Somehow, Samuel knew what he was talking about...well, of course, he did...God had told him! The final blow was when they denied Him when He came to them 2000 years ago, demanding that He be crucified. Jesus told them that "their house would be left to them desolate"...sure enough, around seventy years later....well, you know your history. You know how Titus leveled Jerusalem to the ground...and how, until 1948, they remained "in exile". You don't have to be a great historian, either, to see what has happened since..
As a matter of fact, you could say that the entire world is paying for Abraham's indescretion in taking his wife's slave as a concubine...and you would be right.
I know you are not used to looking at history this way, but try it, just as an exercise.
You just might, before you know it, be standing right next to your old buddy, Angeltress, screaming that we need God back on the throne! (I am a dreamer, I know...but it could happen!)
OK, yes...the church is destined to die...
But, my friend, it is also destined to live forever.
Just so you know, I have been praying for you.
It sure would be great to have you with us!

Answer 5

It's not about Europe vs America;
Which is sow Hatfields vs McCoys.
It's a Globe-All matter of Grace or Law;
Which is a global matter of Life or Death.

'Christ-ian' is about "Christ is the end of the law".
America's 'rule of law' is everything but Christ-ian.
Not to mention great is least of great->greater->greatest.
Baby-lon the "great"<-greater<-greatest is fallen, is fallen.
Gal 5:4 If justified by law law, then fallen from grace above.

GWB's rod of iron rule of law(worketh wrath): Destructive.
Peace, with God, is Biblically "through Jesus -> Christ".
C of J->C is our "peace": Constructive, not Destructive.
Fighting for peace is kinda like Fornicating for chastity.
Peace isn't won by war; It's the absecnce of violence.

There's never any concensus among "carnal" people.
Even the twelve, both old & new, were like a hung jury.
That's why God chose Saul->Paul to be "his witness".

Last 100 years brought consensus among "spiritual" ppl:
Biblical literalism & Human secularism: Both dead ends.
More Excellent: neither broadmindead nor narrowmindead.
Broad Way <-(bwd) Narrow Way (fwd)-> More Excellent Way

Grace isn't law law; It's "above" law vs law & law vs grace.
Grace isn't division-all; Rather it's about unity of the Spirit.

Grace cannot lie(law) nor die(law). Law Law does both.
Grace neither tempts(laws) nor can be tempted(lawed).

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 6

Good question. It's even more weird if we look at the fact tat America wasn't even founded by Christians or meant to be a "Christian Nation" in any way.

Answer 7

The United States is based on FREEDOM.

Is western Europe prospering under it's new Atheism? Do we really want to end up like France?

The truth is the truth, it does not change, we just become more self-centered and spoiled.

Peace!

Answer 8

As the ordinary American moves from mainline Protestantism to casual agnosticism, I think American Christians will go back to 'oh we're so persecuted and Jesus said we would be'. Christianity does make more sense theologically when it's practiced by the 'meek'.

Answer 9

I would think we would be proud to be a *diverse* nation. That was the founding fathers BIG point. Not Christianity.

Answer 10

They are actually rewriting it and then hanging on. I am convinced that they don't realize that there is a big difference between the few pilgrims than settled in New England very early on, and the guys who really founded this country.