...does it really make any difference that SOME of the founding fathers were Christian? (Most weren't)
2007-10-31 04:59:12 · 18 answers · asked by AuroraDawn 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
BTW...the point of our country NOT being a theocracy is that NO ONE RELIGION is favored over all the others. It's not about your personal religious freedom. You have never been prevented from observing your religions. You are prevented, though, from pushing it where it doesn't belong because this is not a Christian nation. Like it or not.
2007-10-31 05:26:15 · update #1
The question is not whether they were christian or not, it is what they did with the constitution. They unanimously made it non religion because they had to put up with that from where they came. Regardless of what the fundies want we are a democratic republic, not a theocracy.
2007-10-31 05:23:33 · answer #1 · answered by bocasbeachbum 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really. It doesn't matter what they were-what matters is what WE want as a country. Other than the Religious Right, most of us seem happy without a theocracy.
Response to Starfish-You realize that the longest-lasting cultures on Earth have never believed (for the most part) in the Christian God, right? China has the longest continuous history, and India isn't far behind. Your getting your ideas from an theory discredited decades ago.
2007-10-31 12:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by Bob C 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter. Some of the founding fathers were Christian, some deists. And yeah, the US is not, and despite what many think, will never be a theocracy.
2007-10-31 13:10:21 · answer #3 · answered by grumpy geezer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In research, I think you'd find most were; but that's beside your point.
The country was built on Christian principles. One main goal was to establish an environment where we could worship AS we saw fit. I doubt any founding fathers meant worship IF we saw fit.
But for Christians, we see the history of nations that move away from God. They fall. They may prosper for a while, but eventually, they fall. We just don't want that for the USA. While our love of country is less than our love of God, our love of country is strong and we want her to survive LONG after we are dead. Even if we disagree about the 'theocracy' issue, I'm sure you can respect our intent.
2007-10-31 12:12:00 · answer #4 · answered by starfishltd 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yeah the founding fathers were mostly deist, so it's really annoying to hear people ignorantly say that Christianity was meant for this country because the founding fathers were Christian. FALSE. this is a free country, so people need to be accepting of other people's religions because there isn't an official religion and it WASN'T founded with an official religion.
2007-10-31 13:04:38 · answer #5 · answered by ♥M♥ 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are a Christian Nation but a one church nation. The founding fathers did not want one church or religion to be in control.
2007-10-31 21:17:45 · answer #6 · answered by Coop 366 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Responding to the poster 'Death From Above':
Most of the founding fathers were deists. Basically, a vague belief in a judeo-christian god-figure who created the world, then just stepped away and washed his hands of it all. So there's no god judging you or intervening in your life; generally being a good person is all that would be required.
2007-10-31 12:12:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
no.
BTW, we have seen merging of church and state into a curious amalgam in the last 7 years. So, while US is not a theocracy the system we have can be either called *sturch* or *chate*. Which name do you prefer ?
I find your statement about MOST founding fathers not being christian intriguig indeed. What was the belief system of the ones who were not ?
EDIT: Matt, thanks for explaining the difference, I appreciate it.
2007-10-31 12:08:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some were, some were not. The point is, they wanted a country in which the government could NOT tell them which church to go to, or how to worship God. THAT is the TRUE meaning behind "separation of church and state."
Separation of church and state was never intended to stop religion from getting involved in government, but just the opposite, to stop government from getting involved with religion!
2007-10-31 12:04:34 · answer #9 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
hooooo boy...
Almost all of the "Founding Fathers" were Christian, including Franklin and Jefferson, who are widely said to have been non-Christian, or maybe "Deists' , because they sometimes criticized churches and clergy. uh, we Christians are allowed to question, challenge, and sometimes even mock our leaders.
two of our first three Presidents were slaveowners. does that make a difference today? Should we take that to mean that it is ok to kidnap Africans and sel them into bondage?
2007-10-31 12:27:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋