What is the treaty that early in this country's history declared that the U.S. is not a Christian nation?

Answer 1

The first answer had the document you're looking for (though the treaty was with BOTH Tripoli and Algiers) --and several others have added details-- but what has NOT been noted is:

1) It does not use exactly the terminology you were asking for, and that may be significant.

Specifically, the treaty refers to the GOVERNMENT of the United States as not being founded on the Christian religion. It does NOT say "NATION"., On examination, this may turn out to have the same sense, but that should not simply be assumed!


2) This is the first of THREE treaties made with the Barbary Muslim states, and the corresponding articles in the others OMIT this line! In fact, the parallel paragraph in the second one (from 1805, ratified 1806) has very few differences from this one, and this is one of them.

'Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Signed at Tripoli November 4, 1796' -
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm#art11

'Treaty of Peace and Amity, Signed at Tripoli June 4, 1805' -
"As the Government of the United States of America, has in itself no character of enmity against the Laws, Religion or Tranquility of Musselmen, and as the said States never have entered into any voluntary war or act of hostility against any Mahometan Nation, except in the defence of their just rights to freely navigate the High Seas: It is declared by the contracting parties that no pretext arising from Religious Opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the Harmony existing between the two Nations. . . "
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1805t.htm#art14

Treaty of Peace, Signed Algiers June 30 and July 3, 1815 -
"As the Government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility of any nation. .. "
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1815t.htm#art15


3) The specific historical CONTEXT of these documents. These treaties were made with MUSLIM countries whose leaders believed that their GOVERNMENTS were to be founded explicitly on Islamic law, and believed (assumed) that things were precisely the same with nations peopled (*at least mainly) by Christians (one might asy "Christian nations") .

The specific articles in question seek to assure them that the government of the USA was not parallel to these Islamic governments, and especially, that the US was not antagonistic toward the Muslim faith, and had no desire whatsoever to impose on the Muslim powers anything that would contradict or undermine their religion.

Note again that only the line being discussed appears ONLY in the first one. The rest is repeated in the 1805 treaty, but not this line. Why?? Consider that in 1796 the US was operating from a position of WEAKNESS, whereas by 1805 they had the upper hand. In the former instance, it would be understandable that the treaty would use stronger language, bending over backwards to demonstrate they had nothing to fear from us.

Frankly, the abbreviated form in the LAST treaty may best capture the central point.


4) There are OTHER treaties early in our history (in 1783 and 1822) that begin "In the name of the Most Holy and Indivisible Trinity" !! Any assessment of how the founders understood the relationship of our nation (and government) to religion (particularly the Christian religion) needs to take this into account as well.
http://www.americanvision.org/articlearchive/02-09-05.asp

In fact, this is my BIG complaint BOTH with those who make strong claims about America as a "Christian nation" AND those who insist there was an extremely strong form of EXCLUSION of Christianity from government... Each seems to think that any evidence that TENDS to support their 'side' is proof of their specific view.

5) In addressing this whole question there is a LOT of other evidence that needs to be carefully considered -- from STATE constitutions to the statements and actions of 'the founders'. (Here too there seem to be two extremes -- one side tends to view all or nearly all the founders as 'deists, clearly not Christians'; the other seems to think nearly all were orthodox Christians.

Neither view does a very good job at crediting evidence on the other side.) And we need to be careful, on both sides, about what we assume from our assessment of the 'personal views' of various leading founders. The point is NOT their individual religious beliefs, but the role of Christianity in the founding, form of government, etc. We can assume NEITHER of the following:
a) 'many were not orthodox Christians, so of course, the made sure the government was NON-Christian'
b) 'many were orthodox Christians, or very friendly to Christianity, so they must have established a government to reflect this'


Finally, note that the expression "Christian nation" is an ambiguous expression. One could easily argue that there is a sense in which the nation has been "de facto" a "Christian NATION, and that its laws have been affected by Christian principles, but the FORM of the government is "secular" NOT religious.

Answer 2

I think the answer you are seeking is "Treaty of peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary,"aka Treaty of Tripoli (1796).

Article 11, states: "As the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

Answer 3

Neither treaty is particularly binding on the daily operation and establishment of the United States. In fact no treaty supercedes or limits those rights accorded to the citizens of the United States.

It wouldn't matter if there was a treaty with Ceylon that calls for all citizen's to grow afros and wear tutus on thursdays, it still makes no difference to the US. If you guys are looking for some way to legally reject the functioning of Christianity in the US you'll need to look somewhere else.

Answer 4

Well, Here's a monkey wrench in your evidence.

The Supreme Court Decision 1892—Church of the Holy Trinity vs. The United States: "Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of The Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian…. This is a religious people. This is historically true."

50 historical examples were cited to prove America was indeed a Christian nation.

If the concern is that Christianity threatens pluralism then
Interestingly enough some felt that Christianity enhanced it.

Patrick Henry made a very clear statement: "It cannot be emphasized too often or too strongly that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians; not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.... It is for this reason that people of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity and freedom of worship here."


The real battle today is not if the USA is a Christian nation or not.

It is the battle of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Somehow it has been inculcated into the public's mind that Christians do not have a right to freedom of speech nor the right to express their beliefs openingly in public schools or public places whereas other religious groups be it new age to atheism have free rein to promote their beliefs.

I find this ironic that those protesting Christianity's influence on the government are the ones that are battling to promote their own influence on the government thus accomplishing the very thing they are protesting at the expense of Christian's freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

I find these protestors of Christianity to be mocking the very principles of the Constitution for their own agendas.

Wake up America and unite your people not divide them.

Answer 5

Treaty of Peace and Friendship

Answer 6

I don't really know of such a treaty but, the way the current administration has been acting, it would be easy to assume the U.S. is not Christian. God have mercy on ALL of us.

Answer 7

I think you're referring to the US Treaty with Tripoli. The full text can be found at:
http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/treaty_tripoli.html

Answer 8

This isn't true!! My gosh one of the Ammendments is: FREEDOM OF RELIGION!!! And as far as I know they haven't taken that away, yet!! I do know they've tried to take prayer out of the school's and out of the "Pledge of Alegiance", but one of the highest Church Supreme Lawyer's faught that one!! And got prayer back into the school's!! Thank-God!!! But yet it was okay for awhile to legally marry the same sex? HOH? What kind of country is this one becomming when they try to do away with religion, but allow Gay Marriages?!! How sad is our country becomming especially when our "Four Father's ran this country on religion?!!!" They must be rolling over in their graves, and ashamed of what our country has become, to date!! I think some of the past few decades and the present, and the future President's need to learn a thing or two from our "Four Father's" that's for sure!! Instead of running our country on "Freedom of GREED!!!" "Freedom to ROB the American People!!" "And the Freedom to allow Mass Murderer's go FREE for the simple reason they have investment's with a Horrible heartless Criminal!!!" What has our country become?!!! I'm almost scared to see what happens in the next year or so he has left!!! I dont think I'm alone on this thought either!! Good Question!!!