First I want to state for the record I fundamentally do not believe that America is a Christian nation, but I wish to ask a question of those who do.
As a Christian nation does that mean that those who are not Christian: Atheists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Pagans, etc.
Are somehow less American than those who are Christian?
2007-10-15 10:43:44 · 18 answers · asked by Gamla Joe 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I find it funny to see how many have answered just to see the Reactions, that is what the star button is for guys.
2007-10-15 10:50:41 · update #1
George HW Bush seems to think atheists are less than citizens.. that they are not Americans and don't deserve to live here.. Paraphrasing, of course.
But, I do point to the Treaty of Tripoli when addressing the "U.S. is a Christian Nation" crowd. And to those who think many of the Founding Fathers were Christian... many were Deists, not Christian.
2007-10-15 21:34:32 · answer #1 · answered by umwut? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
to the guy who said freedom of religion:
just like to point out, as I was recently studying the founding of our great nation, that when we founded this nation the FREEDOM OF RELIGION was to the different christian sects, not to jews or muslims, there were strick religious laws. I just find that amuzing.
Next we did start out as a christian nation, therefor our laws are innately christian (although they are being changed as we speak to accomodate pagans) But the founding of our nation was christian.
Those who arent christian arent any less american as america has changed since then, now we are different we are no longer a strong god fearing nation we are a nation who DESIRES to be a melting pot (I don't see how loosing your culture is something to be proud of, how about a tossed salad where everything is still in tact??????)
So with america the way it is today there are not any less american, and the other religions werent as big when we were founded.
So were not a christian nation anymore.
thats my opinion...
2007-10-16 04:09:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You mean a Christian nation like Italy and Spain during the Inquisition? How about Germany? Was it a Muslim or Hindu nation during the Holocaust?
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2007-10-15 11:19:14 · answer #3 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
You cannot view this and come to an appropriate conclusion the way you have framed the question now !!!
!. The framers of the contituiton were mostly Christians !!!
2. Their intention was to have a country not ruled by any one church. Obviously they were very successful at that approach !!!
3. The separation of church and state issue has so distorted their original intention !!! So stupity follows !!!
So your question does not fit the parameter-ital intentions of the early framers sense they would say yes we are a christian nation from the standpoint of their own very died in the wool convictions. Measuring that attitude against today they would not come close to saying that we are a christian nation by judging from all that we are doing as a supposed christian nation !!!
Now contrast that to all of the USA population saying they are christian and I would say we have a split mindset in this country !!! What do you think ?????
2007-10-15 12:23:00 · answer #4 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
For me, I think we are a Christian nation because we were predominately founded by people of that faith. The bulk of the Founding Fathers were church members (one of the singers of the Declaration was a pastor). Most of the colonists tha tcame here early on came for religious freedom (Puritans, Quakers, etc). The bulk of our laws are from the Judeo-Christian tradition. Every state consitution has a reference to God, as does almost every international treaty we sign. We swear in our President with his hand on the Bible, as do jurists. Most legislative sessions are opened with prayer in the Christian fashion.
Now to answer your direct question, I think that even though we are a Christian nation, that does not mean we do or should denegrate the contributions of other faiths. A Jewish American is no less an American. Same for Muslims, Atheists, etc. in fact, it is enshrined in our Constitution that we have a freedom to worship as our conscience leads without government intervention or oppression. Precious few countries in the world can say that.
2007-10-15 10:59:17 · answer #5 · answered by Tim 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
The U.S. has a Christian majority, but by law all men are equal and there may not be a State church.
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2007-10-15 20:00:52 · answer #6 · answered by Ivri_Anokhi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if that is so....
Than none of the founding fathers still serving in Congress in 1797 are Americans either - since the unanimously ratified the Treaty with Tripoli.
2007-10-15 10:54:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
According to the Christians I know (my family) that's a big heck yes! "Anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus doesn't believe in America and should be shipped out of the country!" So says me mum. (She is unaware of my own enlightened non-religious state.)
2007-10-15 10:49:14 · answer #8 · answered by 2bzy 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
In God we trust, the American motto. Surely one of the greatest misnomers of all time! America as far as I know is meant to be a non-secular nation. I always assumed a christian nation was one governed on religious principles, but not with any particular discrimination against one who does not follow it. In practice this is grossly untrue.
2007-10-15 10:50:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 4⤋
Obviously you're not an American yourself, if I translate your name correct, Gamla Joe - it's Swedish for Old Joe.
2007-10-15 22:38:03 · answer #10 · answered by neshama 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋