"The US is a Christian nation." But there are different churches. Is it Catholic, Baptist, Fundamentalist ....

Question

... Church of Christ, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Pentecostal, Presbyterian,or something else?

Does each state get to pick which denomination should serve as its official arbiter of morality and church doctrine as it effects state law?

What happens if a city becomes majority Jewish, Atheist, Muslim, or Hindu? Should people be forced to move from one town or state to another, like they've done in Bosnia and Serbia?

Or would it be better if religion and the government did not mix at all, and we all learn to live together without limiting one another's freedoms?

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MARK: The National Cathedral is the Episcopal Cathedral (Bishop's Church) in Washington. There is no association between the Cathedral and the Government. No Government money went to pay for its construction, and none goes to pay for its maintenance. It's entirely a Church owned institution.

I lived for a long time in the DC area, and many denominations have a "national" church congregation located within the Capital City. I used to sing for one (for hire). It's probably confusing, but just because something goes by the name National does not mean that it's a government entity.

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Answer 1

The US is not a Christian nation, not as far as laws go, at least. There is a separation of church and state written into the Constitution. As Jefferson said, the "priest is the enemy of liberty."

I don't know why so many fundamentalists want their faith to represent all of us, using laws that apply to many different groups. And furthermore, to claim they are being excluded from practicing their beliefs! Where I am from, there are more churches than fast food restaurants, and the largest private school in my state (Liberty University- founded by Jerry Falwell) teaches that dinosaur bones are 3,000 years old. Everyone is free to practice their own brand of insanity.

That's what freedom is about. And this freedom is vital if we want the United States to remain one of the best countries to live in.

Answer 2

You know, I've read the entire Constitution and nowhere in it did I find it written that the United States shall be a Christian nation. The founders certainly acknowledged the hand of God in the creation of the United States (at least most of them did, so it became official). But nowhere does it proclaim an official national religion of any kind, including Christianity. When anyone, including Christians, says this is a "Christian Nation" they are possibly ignorant of the Constitution, to be kind, but more often are simply lying to reinforce thier own doctrines and to impose them upon the entire nation.

We should not have to move from one place to another because of a religious majority, any religious majority. That may be true for the middle eastern world, but America aspires to a higher standard of liberty and freedom. Patriotic Americans cannot allow any religion, Christian or otherwise, to change that.

Answer 3

There is no National State Church in the US un-like England (Anglican), Scandinavia (Lutheran), Russia (Orthodox) etc. The US Constitution guarantees "Freedom of Religion".

This being said, the "National Cathedral" in Washington DC is attended by Episcopal Clergy. I guess being a former British possession, Anglican is appropriate?

Mark

Answer 4

It'll be interesting (and probably tragic) to see how the intensity of religious and cultural intolerance continues to ramp up as the United States becomes more and more diverse.
And, yes, the current government certainly doesn't help things by actively promoting an evangelical Christian agenda.

Answer 5

I suppose they mean "Christian" in the broadest sense possible... followers of the 10 Commandments, the Beatitudes, and all the Biblical admonishments that further their own agendas.

Answer 6

I'm not Christian and I don't consider the US to be either.

Answer 7

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE