If this is a nation founded on Christian principals...?

Question

...what are those principals and how are they uniquely Christian? And how do you reconcile the parts of our Constitution that contradict Christ's edicts? For example, the Constitution allows for usury. It also allows retaliatory punishment. Christ said to turn the other cheek.

In fact, I challenge anybody to name even one uniquely Christian principal that is also mandated by US law. I'll grant that there used to be blasphemy laws, but the supreme court ruled those unConstitutional years ago.

Doc, of course i believe that i already know the answer. Prove me wrong and win ten points, dunderhead.

one for, those are not uniquely christian. They are laws handed down by Moses - which predates Christianity. Sorry.

dogsrpc, non-Christians do not have to swear on the bible. Many Muslims affirm on the Koran, and many atheists simply affirm.

George B, that's exactly the point. Fundamentalists are constantly crying that this is a Christian nation founded on Christian principals, but no such animal exists. There are no Christian principals other than accepting Christ, and that is not a mandate of ourlaws.

Rambling vine, I bow to thee and curse spell check for failing to recognize my hominym.

Kungfu, if there was no other religion in the world that taught that cruelty to children and murder were bad things, you'd have a point. But the first and third precepts of Buddhism render your point moot.

And just as an observation, Doc has a BA in history, and according to his bio he's been a practicing doctor, he's an accomplished musician, he fought in four wars and he builds planes. And yet his best answer percentage is 17% to my 31%.

Go figure...

Doc, I may be a simple dunderhead, but I don't believe I've denied any facts.

The US government as established by our Constitution was built on principles. Not Christian principles necessarily, but principles all the same. In fact, some of those principles are decidely NOT Christian principles. Capital punishment and usury I've already noted, but also Capitalism which rewards the accumulation of property, and the designation of the flag and flag code which are clearly graven image worship.

But even those principles which are Christian in our Constitution are principles found in other world religions. Sheikism recognizes that all men are created equal. Paganism recognizes the need for courts. Zoroastrianism appreciates the right to persue happiness. Shamanists have the right to bear arms. Muhamed established a standing army.

So the next time you hear somebody say that this nation was built on Christian principles, call his or her bluff. Then ask them where Christ stood on Federalism.

Answer 1

This nation was not entirely founded on Christian principles. That is a common misconseption put forth by the "moral majority". It is founded mostly on the ideals of democracy and republicanism (not to be confused with the beliefs of modern day republicans)put forth by John Locke, Thomas Paine and the ancient Greeks/Romans . God was intentionally left out of the constitution by James Madison and for good reason. If we had a nation founded mostly on Christianity, corrupt leaders would quickly turn America into a theocracy.

Answer 2

I suspect (strongly) that you believe yourself to already know the answer to this question. So, why ask? Affirmation? Perhaps you, like so many other dunderheads are struggling to remain in your state of denial.

Dear Crabby,
When Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he spoke of FINANCIAL freedom. If you have money, you have more options available from which to choose. If you have no money, you are enslaved to your creditors. He was serving the King of England due notice that we as a people will nolonger be enslaved. AND< when he joined Madison, Henry and Jay to write the new and improved Constitution (over the old and unimproved Articles of Confederation), Henry wanted to make it a law that for a man to have the right to vote, he must first belong to a church and pay tithing. Jefferson and the others thought this a bad idea and tried to talk him out of it. He would not listen. They reasoned that by instituting such a law, that they would then be giving official recognition to one church over another and at that point, we would be no better than the British and their Church of England. They talked him into running for Governor for the state of Virginia. He did and won and was then forced to give up his seat in Congress, thus giving up his right for a say in the writing of that document. And, folks, that particular document was written (with great intent) to be filled with contradictions. It was the Freedom OF Religion not freedom FROM religion. Of all of the member of Congress at that time, only three were non Christian. Perhaps you should study your history a little more closely. Duh-huh.

Gee golly, willikers there Some, I guess I hit a tender spot? Must be that the truth hurts and so, you start throwing rocks. Yep, I WAS a musician -- toured Europe with an Orchestra. Entertained the King and Queen of Sweden and President Ford (twice!) And, I was an IDC in the Navy, spent most of my adult life with the Marine Corps. So, what's your excuse? You must admit, that I spoke the truth. So, get over yourself and stop denying fact.
*the next morning*
I think I see where you are attempting to go with this. Christianity is an updated version of Judeism. Jesus the "Christ" was Jewish, raised in the laws and the ways of His people. That being the case, anyone practicing Christianity is also studying Judeism, meaning that nothing is "Uniquely" Christian. But still, I stand by my response regarding the founders and their beliefs. You asked if this nation is founded on Christian "Principals." Knowing what you inteded and mis spelled -- probably due to a lack of coffee. The answer remains the same, "Yes."

Answer 3

Nope. As X spoke of, various were Unitarians and Universalists. no longer hardcore bible thumpers who felt that all and assorted ought to comply with a particular beleif. And if one needs to argue that it changed into in accordance to Christian beleifs, enable's look at how properly it labored for Salem Massachusetts. Yea, so properly human beings from England had to come back over and positioned a end to the mindlessness.

Answer 4

This nation has laws against murder, against child endangerment, and other laws. Jesus said that whoever harms a child would be better if a millstone were tied around his neck and he was cast into the sea. Exodus 20 explicitly states that murder cannot be commited and later in Leviticus the Bible subscribes capital punishment for those that murder someone. There are two right off.

Answer 5

Do you mean 'principles' or 'principals'?

You'd need a whole lot of Christian principals all huddled together - just to build a small country like Andorra, but I don't think that would work even if you recruited vice principals and headmasters. As soon as you started to build anything, they'd probably all change their minds at once and get back to their schools.

We need principals in our schools, Christian or non-Christian. Even with shrinking landmass due to global warming, we don't need to build countries on principals. Just let them do their job, which is running schools, OK?

Answer 6

The problem is fundamentalists. I have a brother that argues with me that since the founding fathers were christian, we all have to be run under a christian government. Wrong. The founding fathers all practiced various forms of christianity, but none believed that the ruling government should dictate what people believe. Hence, the reason why they left england in the first place. For those who argue that we should have a christian based government because of the founding fathers beliefs, I have a question: what if the founding fathers were muslims? Would you be upset that all the money says "In Allah" we trust? Or if we had to say "One nation under Allah"? Do you only support the founding fathers choices because they reflect your own beliefs? Because it's convenient?

Answer 7

I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.
Thomas Jefferson
I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.
Thomas Jefferson
Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.
Thomas Jefferson
In no instance have... the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people.
James Madison
Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.
James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect.
James Madison
The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.
James Madison

Answer 8

Nice try, but no medal this time. You set up a challenge that, as stated, cannot be won. The qualifier of "uniquely Christian" is the catch. There are no Christian principals that aren't duplicated somewhere else in other religions or beliefs.

Answer 9

Correct. The founding fathers created America as a nation of FREE people, with FREEDOM of religion.

Which real Christians know and support. Its only the religious right cults that have a problem with it--because, as they admit themselves, the Constitution prevents themfrom forcing other s to live according to their false version of Christianity.

ADDENDEUM: Interesting--someof these other "Christians" want you to be waterboarded for "asking"--i.e. free speech, say you hate America and Christ--which no sane person could assume from what you wrote. The best one: that "uniquely Christian laws" include not killing or stealing. Talka about being ignorant of other religions--ALL prohibit those things. They do a great job of proving my point!

Answer 10

I wish you didn't hate America/ Jesus.

People frame the kitchen sink to fit their own broader agenda. Most of the talking heads who posit this as an issue are either selling books or commercial time on their program and know that this is a divisive issue that wall get eyes and/ or ears, like English as the official language.

Response to Sir Crabsalot:
Read what I wrote again. If you give my writing more than a cursory glance, I'm sure you'll see that one cannot reconcile sincerity in my opening statement with what follows.
History is a dynamic and exciting thing, that sadly is frequently minimized and spun to fit the whims or interests of pundits. The fact is that history exists in 4 dimensions, the three dimensions of the past in question and the time of the future. The point of my post was to state that this manipulation of the past occurs daily... that's all. If you are too busy to fully digest a post, I recommend you refrain from commenting on it.