Why do even (supposedly) educated people not know their own history?

Question

John McCain recently said "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation."

Where would he get that nonsense from? There is absolutely nothing in the US Constitution that establishes the US as a Christian nation. Nothing. The writers were extremely careful about not mentioning religions or gods.

Is he just pandering for votes or could he honestly be that uneducated about the country he wants to lead?

Answer 1

The USA is NOT a Christian nation... DESPITE the lies that have been told to the religious puppets by the religious puppet-masters. Our Founding fathers went to great lengths to assure that would NOT be the case. The 'law of the land' was NOT based on any Christian or biblical doctrine or writings... it was rooted in the secular humanist ideals of the 'Enlightenment' and the 'Age of Reason'... when mankind began to THROW OFF the yoke of biblical theocracy, and develop a reason and consensus-based concept of the 'rights of man', based on MORAL principles... not 'biblical' principles.

The laws were based upon the Code of Hammurabi (which predates the 10 Commandments by at least 1,000 years), English Common Law, and other sources which included Greek and Roman law. The IDEA for having a 'constitution' came from the Constitution of the Iroquois Confederation.

The 'Treaty of Tripoli' (June 7, 1797) specifically states, in Article 11: "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 Mussulmen (Moslems); and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation (Islam), 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." This treaty, unanimously approved by the Senate and signed into law by John Adams only a few years after the ratification of the Constitution, is taken by constitutional scholars to be a clear and unambiguous declaration of the intent of the founders.

http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/buckner_tripoli.html

For a HISTORICAL deconstruction of the LIE that the laws of our country are based upon Mosaic Law and the 10 Commandments, see this: http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/ten_commandments.htm

For a LEGAL deconstruction of the LIE that the laws of our country are based upon Mosaic Law and the 10 Commandments, see this (by a Christian): http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20030911.html

“The president of the United States has claimed, on more than one occasion, to be in dialogue with God. If he said that he was talking to God through his hairdryer, this would precipitate a national emergency. I fail to see how the addition of a hairdryer makes the claim more ridiculous or offensive.” ~ Sam Harris, 'Letter to a Christian Nation'
.

Answer 2

I believe that this is nothing more than pandering to the people. However, if one takes a close look at some of the original Supreme Court cases, you will note that THEY called this a Christian Nation or a nation based upon the philosophies of Christianity... I know, Ive read the decisions. And, I think that this is where people get the mistaken idea that this is a Christian nation. I believe that our Forefathers intended to separate church and state and that those that came after them misconstrued the "Creator God" of deism with "Christian God."

Answer 3

Yeah- it floored me when I read what he said today. McCain is no mental midget. He's a bright guy- but he may actually believe that this land was created for a particular religious group.

The first settlers here (the Mayflower folk) came to escape religious prosecution in England. And, within a few years were warring with a neighbor colony because they weren't the same version of Christianity as they were. They didn't come here to promote religious freedom. They came to a land where they thought they would be able to impose their own religion on everybody else.

Answer 4

Almost certainly pandering to voters. McCain will do most anything to stay in the race now.

To the broader question which has value in its own right, educated people, like the rest of us, tend to do best remembering facts which support their view of the world, and spend time hunting them out. That can lead to some remarkable gaps in knowledge.

Answer 5

In formal schooling, it is a tossup among Obama and Biden, either one of whom got juris doctorates from prestigious legislation faculties. John McCain got a measure from the US Naval Academy, continuing straight into army carrier. Sarah Palin transferred a couple of occasions, finishing her bachelor's measure on the University of Idaho. In phrases of legislative enjoy, Joe Biden's thirty 5 years within the Senate is by way of a ways essentially the most palms-on schooling, with John McCain's twenty one years within the Senate and 4 years within the House of Representatives coming in subsequent. Quality is complex to degree, despite the fact that if magnificence efficiency is regarded, each Biden and McCain had been recognized for relatively low magnificence rating, while Obama served as president of the Harvard Law Review in legislation university. If you are speakme approximately efficiency and time, Obama most often squeaks by way of on best in formal educational schooling, however combining teachers and enjoy, Biden might be the winner by way of relatively a margin.

Answer 6

Nonsense. If this weren't a Christian nation, things like this would be an unconscionable violation of our Constitutional rights:

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=6937987

But since the president didn't speak out against this, it must be 100% Constitutional. Therefore proving that this is a Christian nation.

Answer 7

Well, since he is pandering for Republican votes, I would say he knows better, but is trying to appeal to the Republican conservative religious. I've been very disappointed in McCain this go-round, he's totally sold out...

Answer 8

It seems like lately John McCain has been doing a lot of pandering.

Here's something even worse:
http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2007/09/18/john-mccain-forgets-what-religion-he-is/

Answer 9

We Americans are infamous as being some of the dumbest people in the world. Not only is this a good example of it, it is also a good example of how dumb we must be that we would believe this kind of non-sense from a politician.

Keep in mind that our society (Here in the U.S.) is fear-based, based on the archaic structures of organized religions who have thrived on fear-based belief systems.

This is how our wheels keep turning, like it or not.

Answer 10

There is NOTHING in the constitution about God. He is not even mentioned, anywhere. McCain is panicky and is sucking up to the right wing fundamentalists.