Nation founded on Christian Principles?

Question

So I'm looking at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I don't see the Christian Principles there. Please, if you know of some Christian Principles in those documents, then tell me, specifically, what they are.

A few of the principles in the Constitution - Separation of powers, election of leaders, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, right to a jury trial, right to representation, protections against searches and seizures....

I just can't find any Christian Principles there. Help!

itchy - I asked for specifics!!!! All men are created equal is not a 'Christian Principle' - in fact the Bible has strong words about non-Christians at times does it not? Also 'self-evident truths' does not in any way connect to Christianity - there are people from every religion and non-religion which believe in self-evident truths. You make it sound like Christianity is the only belief system which believes in objective truth - which is flat out false.

Also - 'Created' in created equal could apply to every religion or non-religion out there (since parents do in fact create their kids).

But let's pretend its uniquely Christian. The *only* Christian principle this nation was founded on is that humans were created? What about everything else in the Bible? Why is so much else of the Constitution against Christian principles?

"Created doesn't make the amendment Christian it just implies that the followers didn't believe in evolution."

Well that makes sense, since at the time there was no theory of evolution. Darwin wasn't even born yet.

JimPettis: Wow, that's a sad post. You claiming that 'created equal' is a Christian principle, is about as significant as me claiming 'don't murder' is a Babylonian principle. The problem is, both principles are found in MANY religions and MANY areligious philosphies. Claiming it to be Christian is useless at best and dishonest at worst.

"The appointment of judges by a leader or leaders is a Christian principle."

Wrong. It is a principle common to almost all cultures and systems. And I distinctly remember a passage in the Bible which combines ALL the 3 branches of government together - where a person is the executive, the legislative and the judicial. "Isaiah 33:22, "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King;" Separate judges and seperate powers are ANTI-Christian!

"Crime not permitted among officials. Another Christian principle."

No, another generic principle that was around far before Christianity which is still used far and wide in the world today.

"Evil not permitted in judges - definitely a Christian principle"

See above.

"The need for at least 2 witnesses is definitely a Christian principle."

Uh, that's based on the British Treason Act of 1695. And anyway, where in the Bible is this claim? And again, there is nothing uniquely Christian about this claim. I suppose if the Bible said "don't stab yourself with a rusty blade" you would also claim that to be a Christian Principle, when in fact it is a generic old prinicple that the Bible incorporated.

Answer 1

Anyone who thinks that this nation was founded on Christian principles clearly hasn't read Locke or Rousseau. This nation was founded on humanist principles.

I love that while Christians claim the Ten Commandments as the basis of all laws, only two are actually illegal.

Good question-have a star.

Answer 2

The constitution was created by members of a wide variety of religious groups including deists and atheists. they wanted everyone to have freedom to practice other religions. There are no Christian principles there. All the principles there are claimed by Christians can be found in other religions and philosophies and are hence not exclusively Christian and are just general principles that people should follow.

Created doesn't make the amendment Christian it just implies that the followers didn't believe in evolution.

Answer 3

"All men are created equal is not a 'Christian Principle'"
Of course it is. Honest. Christians teach that men were created by God. This is definitely a Christian principle. It is not *only* taught by Christians, but it is most *definitely* a Christian principle. Most non-religious types, then and now, do not believe in the creation of man.

Of course, this line is in the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution!

"in fact the Bible has strong words about non-Christians at times does it not?"
Not really. It has strong words about the wicked and apostates, but non-Christians (as a group) do not, in general, have "strong words" directed at them by scripture.

"Why is so much else of the Constitution against Christian principles?"
Example?

Now, to answer your primary question:
(source: http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Preamble)

Article II Section 1
"He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court..."
The appointment of judges by a leader or leaders is a Christian principle.

Article II Section 4
"The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Crime not permitted among officials. Another Christian principle.

Article III Section 1
"The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior"
Evil not permitted in judges - definitely a Christian principle

Article III Section 3
"No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
The need for at least 2 witnesses is definitely a Christian principle.

I could go on - but clearly the Constitution is rife with Christian principles, even with just a *very* cursory examination.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 4

the constitution and the bill of rights were based on mostly Masonic law.most of the signers and the authors of the documents were masons.whether or not that makes them christian... well lets just say all of the masonic rites are based on the scriptures.
parenthetically speaking most presidents have been masons and a lot of them were in the skull&bones society,including the last 3.

Answer 5

America was founded on Christian principles with a moral standard but we have fallen away from those times and things are different.


We hold these truths to be self evident (implying absolute truth) that all men are CREATED equal (implying a Creator)

Answer 6

This is funny...

Not only are people showing thier utter ignorance in American History, but they are showing it in World History as well. As if there were no moral laws before Jesus? Yeah the Egyptians and the Jews and GREEKS! Can't forget those lawless immoral Greeks.

Answer 7

You don't need any help, your right! Religion loves to sleep in bed with inserting lies into a piece of paper! why do you think that religion and it's churches have become filthy rich? Like Malcolm X would say you have been hoodwinked, you have been bamboozled, you been had!

Answer 8

Looks like a lot of those principles originated in pagan Rome:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_constitution

Answer 9

The part about keeping the Sabbath and coveting might be in there. Capitalism never works with coveting.

Answer 10

You have to read between the lines.