Want a "Christian America"? Which One?Just what does it mean to describe America as a "Christian Nation"? The fact is that our nation has two traditions regarding the place of religion. The first tradition we have wisely rejected. The second we have wisely embraced, and it has served us well. The first tradition began with the earliest settlements in North America in the 1600's. Most of these settlers were earnest Christians. Unfortunately, along with great courage and fortitude, they brought with them age-old patterns of established churches and the demand that every community must practice religious uniformity. So Colonial America became yet another land of religious tyranny, with self-styled "Godly" authorities enforcing their particular views on everyone, often in savage ways. Officers of church and state worked hand in hand, claiming the divine right to stamp out any "unorthodox" views. What was it like to live in this "Christian Nation" ? Everyone was forced to pay taxes to support the established church. Anyone who dared to challenge the authorities was whipped or jailed or sent into exile. Education involved religious indoctrination (the first President of Harvard was fired because he became born-again --- as a Baptist!). Four Quakers were hanged in Boston as a warning to dissenters. Nineteen men and women were executed after a full trial convicted them as "witches". These are some of the deadly stories from America as a "Christian Nation". This pattern persisted for almost 150 years. The second tradition came into being after the American Revolution when our Founders, who represented many religious views, began to plan for a new start and a new government. The mood of the nation was changing, with citizens demanding an end to religious tyranny. So, in ratifying the Constitution and Bill of Rights (1787-89), Americans dared to put in place a radical new understanding: namely, that every person should have full liberty of conscience; that religious congregations should be self-sustaining; and that government should get out of the business of promoting and funding religion. This is the principle we call separation of church and state, applied first at the Federal level, and gradually adopted by the individual States. Far from being hostile to religion, this principle has created a nation where religious life is as pervasive and often more vital than anywhere in the world. Just look around! When we are at our best in America, religion is free, government stays out of religious matters and churches stay out of politics. In this way our nation has avoided the deadly religious conflicts that continue to devastate so much of the world. It is this second tradition that has served us well for over 200 years, and this is the "Christian America" we need to support.
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Submitted by church-state on Thu, 03/22/2007 - 6:10pm.
The reason we have freedom of religion is because of Founders knew that religion can be both a great blessing and a great danger........ They also knew that glib talk of "Christian principles" is problemmatic. Speaking of the nation being founded on "Christian principles" gets us into slippery territory. Is it a Christian principle, for instance, to "lord it over others" and demand that everyone in the community must have the same religious belief? Well ---- that was exactly the "Christian principle" that was practiced for some 150 years in Colonial America. Give it some thought. Submitted by thegeyser on Fri, 03/23/2007 - 12:26am.
Your article names no enemy, but you write as if you are under attack. Who is your oppressor? Who is suggesting our nation must practice religious uniformity as dictated by our government? No one is being told how they must worship; however, there are moral laws citizens must obey. What constitutional rights do you feel have been violated or are in jeopardy? Since every society requires moral laws, the next question is: what world view determines these laws. Since the birth of our country, the laws have been founded on a biblical or a Judeo-Christian worldview. Think sodomy laws, adultery, etc. Of course, no stoning ;) But, there is a sense that these things are wrong. Increasingly, today, a postmodern mentality prevails: there is no right or wrong. Or at the very least: "As long as it works for you..." How then can the government dictate morality? It can't without making moral assumptions that certain actions are forbidden or permitted. Who then decides what is acceptable? Our democracy is a reflection of "the people." Democracy is demos and kratos in greek: literally "rule by the people." Since we are a representative democracy, who we choose to represent us should reflect our world view. As a Christian, I am concerned that our laws continue to reflect the moral laws as established in the Bible. I know laws won't change people's hearts toward God, but as a Christian, I would be remiss to vote for people who would alter our country's laws to ignore His moral laws. God's laws are often designed for our protection. Unfortunately, if our nation changes laws permitting sexual immorality, no-fault divorces, rampant gambling, etc., the drift reflects the heart of the people of our country toward God. While I would not recommend that religious people stay out of politics as church-state suggests (quite the contrary), I would suggest that Christian brothers and sisters consider their zeal for and the spiritual health of their family and their local church as first priority. The government can not save people from sin, despite all the government programs out there trying to save people from the fruits of their sin. God will use Christian men and women in government for His glory despite the efforts of man. God never promised we'd live in a Christian nation (at least not this side of eternity). We were promised to be persecuted for our faith. Praise God we do not suffer the persecution known under other governments around the world. Our government funds abortion clinics and an educational system that teaches secular humanism and naturalism, so our government is already spending money based on a worldview where God is absent - a religious position in its own right. Strict separation of church and state as you define it IS terribly problematic - if not darn near impossible.
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The point I'd like to make is "The reason we have freedom of religion is because our fore fathers where christian and founded this country on christian principals" Lets not loose touch of that. Let stop being politically correct and start being morally correct.
God bless. In god we trust.
Steven P Munsey A+, MCP, IASO Orange Park | Green Cove Springs munsey13@comcast.net