If the United States was founded as a Christian nation...?

Question

... were John Adams and the second Senatorial Congress just lying when they unanimously passed the Treaty of Tripoli?

Treaty of Tripoli
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 tranquility 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. "
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm#art11

What do you think?

Answer 1

While we are not a Christian nation in the way that Iran is a Muslim nation, we where founded on Christian principles. Those principles are a carry over from England which in turn is a carry over from the Papacy. We, intentionally, are not a nation of theocrates. Thank God!! As a Christian, I shudder at the notion that we could be a theocracy. Which denomination would we follow? Would we be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or even a Native American religion?

No, John Addams did not lie. But remember that he was buying time to get a navy built and the while Maddison was president, after the War of 1812, we went over and beat them into submission.

Answer 2

1. america ,at the time it was created ,was based on christianity, and continues to be christian in general character to this day
2. adams did not speak for all americans, and the general population of america did not even know what had been published
3. the reason for this statement was to get the muslims off our backs....who were warring against christian nations, and demanding tribute, and committing piracy against them.

As colonies of Great Britain, the United States had been covered by the tribute paid by Great Britain. But, when Great Britain officially recognized the United States as an independent nation in 1783, so did the Barbary States. The first American ship was captured in 1784 by Morocco, and several more were soon captured by Algiers. American merchants soon stopped sailing to the Mediterranean, opting for less profitable but safer markets. This began to drive down the price of American produce, the biggest export to the region, in an economy that was barely beginning to recover from the Revolutionary War. In their correspondence during the summer of 1786, foreign ministers Adams, in England, and Jefferson, in France, were debating whether it would be better to solve this problem by giving in and paying tribute to the Barbary States, or raising a navy and fighting them. So he just denied what we were to get rid of the muslims.

Answer 3

well they did write that in the first treaty to satisfy the radical Muslims they were dealing with. but to get to the thruth when the treaty was renewed that section was taken out. and futhermore you can look into history to find qoutes by John Adams to see he believed this should be a Christian nation. matter of fact John Adams led the charge in wanting this to be a nation devoted to Christ. ( kinda think that is why historians down play his importance as a founding father)
John Adams considered the 4th of July to be a religious holiday. here are a couple of qoutes rom him


We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798


The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
–John Adams in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved

Answer 4

The United States is a FREE nation. The early leaders wanted to be sure that the citizens had the FREEDOM to worship as they liked. Many of the first settlers had run from religious persecution American society has been heavily influenced by Christian beliefs and traditions. It is true that Ben Franklin proposed that delegates at the Convention open their sessions with morning prayers, and people who oppose the separation of church and state try to make a lot out of this. According to the records, Franklin suggested that "henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business."
The point is never take your rights for granted! They are rare in this world.

Answer 5

I think that Muslims then, as now, were rather difficult about doing business with people outside of their own faith.
I think that this treaty was made for the purpose of making money...not for the purpose of establishing America as a secular state.
I think that this is very early proof that politicians will say anything in order to make money.
And I think that nothing has changed.

The early settlers who came to this country were Christians who were looking for freedom to worship the Christian God according to their own beliefs.
When the Declaration of Independence was written, it was written by Christian men who believed in a Creator who created all men equal...
But it seems as if then, as now, they also believed that some men were more equal than others.

I think that money corrupts...and alot of money corrupts even more.
You asked me what I think...
Now you know.

God bless you!

Answer 6

Seperation of Church and State.

Adams was not saying this country was not a Christian nation.

What he was saying is that religion would not be a topic that would cause dissention between this county and other countries.

IN other words, we would not force other nations to believe the way we do.

Answer 7

It wasn't founded on Christian principles. Most of the founding fathers believed in a creator (not necessarily Christian). They felt it was important that we understand that our inalienable rights were endowed by our creator. It doesn't mention Jesus at all.

Answer 8

The USA is a secular nation with freedom of religion at its core.
It was not founded as aChristian nation because the Pilgrim Fathers were escaping the tyranny of the Christian nation of England.

Answer 9

This country was founded on the basis of Freedom of worship. Saying It was founded on God is more accurate.

Answer 10

It wasn't founded as, nor does it in exist in law as, but in practice the US is very much a Christian nation. Too bad - it has such potential.