All you said was basically "there were people from the long-ago-time who put "In God We Trust on our currency." You're not only not specifying what authority or basis those people had for doing so, you couldn't even bothered to say who they were. Why even get up in the morning if that's the sort of argument you're going to make?
The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins. From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, and read:
http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx
Yes I agree Christianity has left it's mark, but I don't believe it's a permanent mark - and current trends show that this country is redefining it's self as it always has. We are becoming more and more secular - many laws based in arbitrary social standards related to Christianity are being appealed. New generations are not only turning their back on faith but are actively fighting agaisnt strict traditional religious views on social standards.
That's so idiotic, because you were too lazy to even read the quote within the post you're referencing.
Below is the information again, and if you bother following the link I also provided in that post, it will enlighten you more.
You know, your response wouldn't look so ignorant if you bothered trying to be something more than just insulting.
It may not be Christian but the formers of the nation had some religious ideas and symbols in mind. "In God We Trust" is still used on our currency.
Feel better now, maybe even superior?
What was your point when you said this?
The issue of religious freedom has played a significant role in the history of the United States and the remainder of North America. Europeans came to America to escape religious oppression and forced beliefs by such state-affiliated Christian churches as the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. That civil unrest fueled the desire of America’s forefathers to establish the organization of a country in which the separation of church and state, and the freedom to practice one’s faith without fear of persecution, was guaranteed. That guarantee was enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution (text) as, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”
History of Religion in America
IN 1639, a group of New England Puritans drafted a constitution affirming their faith in God and their intention to organize a Christian Nation. Delegates from the towns of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield drew up the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which made clear that their government rested on divine authority and pursued godly purposes. The opening lines express the framers' trust in God and their dependence on his guidance: "Forasmuch as it hath pleased the All-mighty God by the wise disposition of his divyne providence so to Order and dispose of things, . . . [and] well knowing where a people are gathered togather the word of God requires that to mayntayne the peace and vnion of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established according to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people." Moreover, the aim of the government so instituted was religious: "to mayntayne and presearue the liberty and purity of the gospell of our Lord Jesus which we now professe, as also the disciplyne of the Churches, which according to the truth of the said gospell is now practised amongst vs."1 Like their neighbors in Massachusetts Bay, the Connecticut Puritans determined to plant a "Christian Commonwealth," what Governor John Winthrop hoped would become a "City upon a Hill" that would inspire believers everywhere as a model Christian Nation.2
Those Puritan Fathers exemplify two of the most enduring views of colonial America: America as a haven of religious freedom, and America as a Christian Nation. First, the Puritan settlers had fled England, where Archbishop William Laud had persecuted them because they refused to subscribe to religious beliefs and practices that they deemed to be unscriptural. Now in the American wilderness, they were free to worship according to the dictates of their consciences, governed only by the rule of God's word. And, second, those Puritan Fathers organized a Christian State. They established their Congregational churches as the official religion of Connecticut, supported by tax revenues and defended by the coercive arm of government. The churches defined "heretics," and the state punished them, even to the point of executing those found guilty of "direct, express, presumptuous, or high-minded blasphemy." Moreover, citizenship in the state was directly tied to one's religious faith. The authors of the Fundamental Orders meant for only godly Christians to rule, an intention embodied in the oath of the governor, which committed the chief magistrate to govern "according to the rule of the word of God."3
Sample Chapter for Lambert, F.: The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America.
The forefathers, seriously tried to separate church and state, and create a secular government, many of them having fled religious persecution. But there are many instances of religion, within the government in symbolism and words. It was just impossible for religious people to remove all connotations of their beliefs from every aspect of federal development.
In the justice system they swear on the bible. We used to say the "Pledge of Allegiance" in school everyday. The Supreme Court Building had a frieze of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. The great Seal of the United States says, Annuit Coeptis, which translates roughly to “Providence favors our undertakings”. The whole Seal is basically a bunch of Latin and images favoring the divine.
In the Declaration of Independence it states "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights". I'm not going to attempt to list every little religious reference within the whole system, but it was certainly a part of daily life thru most of our earlier growth.
Are you seriously that unaware of American history and the influences that religion, particularly Christianity had on our country? This whole current generation thinks we always worshiped commerce, war and materialism but it's simply not true. We were a nation of great ideas about fairness, equity, law and patriotic pride. We made the best products in the world at one time, and sought the highest endeavors and achievements that our imaginations could inspire. We won more medals at events than any other nation in the Olympics.
It's sad that you lumped yourself in with the younger and less informed on your historic opinions?
The nation isn't Christian than. It contains a huge selection of the world's religions. Based on your statement the nation can only be called a majority Christian nation.A "nation" describes the people that live within a defined territory. The Cherokee Nation was anything but a theocracy... for example.
that would violate our law. Thus removing the constitution from our republic.Not sure about that. It could be like the UK, Denmark, or Finland. Or Thailand. All of which have state religions. None of those are theocracies or dictatorships. It would probably continue like now, with some Christians arguing for charity for the poor and the sick and measures against income inequality while other Christians emphasize other themes in the Bible.
http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/rachelmccleary/files/state_religion.pdf
Wow, that actually makes me feel kind of sad. Our country doesn't seem to be doing all that well lately.
The forefathers, seriously tried to separate church and state, and create a secular government, many of them having fled religious persecution. But there are many instances of religion, within the government in symbolism and words. It was just impossible for religious people to remove all connotations of their beliefs from every aspect of federal development.
In the justice system they swear on the bible. We used to say the "Pledge of Allegiance" in school everyday. The Supreme Court Building had a frieze of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. The great Seal of the United States says, Annuit Coeptis, which translates roughly to “Providence favors our undertakings”. The whole Seal is basically a bunch of Latin and images favoring the divine.
In the Declaration of Independence it states "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights". I'm not going to attempt to list every little religious reference within the whole system, but it was certainly a part of daily life thru most of our earlier growth.
Are you seriously that unaware of American history and the influences that religion, particularly Christianity had on our country? This whole current generation thinks we always worshiped commerce, war and materialism but it's simply not true. We were a nation of great ideas about fairness, equity, law and patriotic pride. We made the best products in the world at one time, and sought the highest endeavors and achievements that our imaginations could inspire. We won more medals at events than any other nation in the Olympics.
It's sad that you lumped yourself in with the younger and less informed on your historic opinions?
I feel awesome. thanks for asking.
You have it wrong even now. Whether the cup is 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or completely filled with jello it is indeed a cup of jello. However, it is not a jello cup, which would it was a cup created of jello. It's also a cup of air, maybe whipped cream, sprinkles and whatever else is in the cup. BTW I've seen red skies, orange skies, even seen the green flash once. Oh yeah and star strewn black skies.
To say our laws are entirely secular is not quite true. I can't legally buy beer here until noon on Sundays (so I try to stock up on breakfast beer beforehand).
The forefathers, seriously tried to separate church and state, and create a secular government, many of them having fled religious persecution. But there are many instances of religion, within the government in symbolism and words. It was just impossible for religious people to remove all connotations of their beliefs from every aspect of federal development.
In the justice system they swear on the bible. We used to say the "Pledge of Allegiance" in school everyday. The Supreme Court Building had a frieze of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. The great Seal of the United States says, Annuit Coeptis, which translates roughly to “Providence favors our undertakings”. The whole Seal is basically a bunch of Latin and images favoring the divine.
In the Declaration of Independence it states "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights". I'm not going to attempt to list every little religious reference within the whole system, but it was certainly a part of daily life thru most of our earlier growth.
Are you seriously that unaware of American history and the influences that religion, particularly Christianity had on our country? This whole current generation thinks we always worshiped commerce, war and materialism but it's simply not true. We were a nation of great ideas about fairness, equity, law and patriotic pride. We made the best products in the world at one time, and sought the highest endeavors and achievements that our imaginations could inspire. We won more medals at events than any other nation in the Olympics.
It's sad that you lumped yourself in with the younger and less informed on your historic opinions?
that would violate our law. Thus removing the constitution from our republic.
Thomas Jefferson and religion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaI rejoice that in this blessed country of free inquiry and belief, which has surrendered its conscience to neither kings or priests, the genuine doctrine of only one God is reviving, and I trust that there is not a young man now living in the United States who will not die a Unitarian
And your concern warms my heart.Good, I know this is critical to your self esteem.
A Special thread for Bodhisattva.
The United States is not a Christian Nation. That is my stance.
A nation is defined by it's government and it's people - not only by it's majority. To refer to it as A Christian Nation is to falsely represent many Americans.
Our Country grants freedom for all religions and lack thereof. Grand Cathedrals, churches, Temples, Mosques, and Conventions for Non Believers can be found all over this country. All of which are given equal respect and right to exist.
Religion in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our Government and thus our laws are entirely secular. There are a vast array of laws that directly contradict the teachings in the bible and thus God's will (i.e. laws regarding homosexuals, divorce, and other things considered blasphemous). Making the term "Christian Nation" ever more strange and obviously misplaced.
There is no legitimate reason to refer to this Nation as Christian.
None of that changes the fact that it's 3/4 of a cup of jello.
yes really. The constitution and the bill of rights is the law of the land.Not really. Just an amendment to the current constitution at most or a tweaking of judicial opinions at the least. Besides, you simply posed a hypothetical that was wrong-a country can have religious freedom in a real sense and still have a state religion. Many countries now do so. And they are not theocracies or dictatorships. They are, like the US, multicultural and multi-religious yet have a state religion that plays an extremely insignificant role.
And it is so ironic to me. The US Constitution reads like a Unitarian document, written mainly by people who were Unitarians or leaned Unitarian such a Madison. Jefferson himself stated that he thought that within a generation most young people would be Unitarians.
Thomas Jefferson and religion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
And Article 5 of that Constitution tells how the law of the land may be changed. Not that I am suggesting that. But we have had 27 amendments so far and the founders understood that the law of the land would change. And the Courts have, arguably, done some rather strange interpretations. There is considerable disagreement on what the Constitution means.yes really. The constitution and the bill of rights is the law of the land.
And you don't really have religious freedom as we know it in countries with a national religion.
The first ten amendments are the bill of rights. So technically the constitution was only amended 17 times. The first amendment isn't going to be amended.And Article 5 of that Constitution tells how the law of the land may be changed. Not that I am suggesting that. But we have had 27 amendments so far and the founders understood that the law of the land would change.
So?And the Courts have, arguably, done some rather strange interpretations. There is considerable disagreement on what the Constitution means.
I am a strong Christian, and America should not - must not - be a "Christian" nation. Why? Because the beliefs I have are significantly out of step with the great majority of mainstream "Christianity" (for one thing, we strongly oppose the idea of the 'trinity' - Jesus never was and never will be God, nor is He a "mighty God" as the JW's believe)...and I don't want other religions (including mainstream "Christianity") to be teaching my kid religion in school or placing pressure on him to believe as they do.
To put it another way, how would most mainstream "Christians" feel if, say, all of a sudden their town became mostly Mormon, and the schools started holding Mormon-themed presentations and plays, and the children were expected to take part in Mormon-themed events at school? I think we all know where this would lead - and it wouldn't be pretty.
It's not simply a matter of whether America should be a "Christian" nation...but more of which kind of "Christian" nation America would have to be...because there's many different kinds of beliefs when it comes to Christianity.
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