2007-12-05 03:45:42 · 9 answers · asked by sally sue 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
If you read the Declaration of Independence you will see references to "God". That generally implies a Judeo/Christian foundation. (Otherwise it would have referred to Allah, Buddah, or someone else.)
However, great care was taken to make sure that it was understood that no specific religion was favored or exempted as in the countries from which so many of them had come. In many European nations a person could be imprisoned or executed for expressing religious ideas that were not consistant with the state religion of their country. The Constitution specifically states that Congress is not allowed to make any laws regarding the establishment of a church or in prohibiting the free exercise of ones faith. It also says that there is not to be any religious test for anyone running for office.
So, was our nation built on Judeo/Christian principles? Yes. Is it specifically a "Christian nation" in that Christianity is the official "religion of state"? No.
2007-12-05 04:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was not. If you are speaking of the Pilgrams and the Mayflower etc. They were a group of people looking for a place to practice their religion without persecution. If you are speaking of the Revolution and the Constitution, the founding fathers recognized two things, the government can not legislate, created or demand that the people follow one religion and the goverment can not persecute people for their religious beliefs, hence the freedom of religion understanding. You can ask this question in as many ways as you want, it still will not change the basic premise of our country's Constitution.
2007-12-05 03:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Solid question. I think the founding fathers accepted Christianity as the national ethos by default at the very least. It's not as if they had too many alternatives as far as religion went back then.
On the other hand, if you look at a guy like Jefferson his deism would not be accepted as Christianity nowadays. Therefore it is debatable.
2007-12-05 03:58:17 · answer #3 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It never has been. It was founded primarily by Christians. Calling it a "Christian Nation" would mean that Christianity was given preference under the constitution and US law. That's not the case.
2007-12-05 03:51:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's founders held christian beliefs but separated their religion from the Affairs of the State.
2007-12-05 03:51:16 · answer #5 · answered by only p 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
NOT
The main reason for our pilgrimage was freedom of religion
The constitution makes it very clear that NO religious demonination is observed. Therefore the Separation of Church and State.
However, many of the original founding fathers were christians
2007-12-05 03:50:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
NEVER! Freedom of Religion was a tenant from the onset.
2007-12-05 03:53:54 · answer #7 · answered by Wounded Duck 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What's a "Christian Nation" and what makes you think folks here know what that term means?
Y'all GOTTA START EXPLAINING YOURSELVES if ya want any kinda decent answer to your questions!
2007-12-05 03:52:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
It was NOT.
2007-12-05 03:54:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋