Essay about a christian nation - 802 Words

There are many different opinions regarding the idea that the United States is a Christian nation. After reading the Church book, however, I believe it is obvious that our country was not in fact founded on Christianity. Even though many religious right groups insist our laws should enforce the doctrines of Protestant Christianity. The documents written by our founding fathers say otherwise. The U.S. Constitution has no mention of Christianity or Jesus Christ, and is evidence within itself that our country was not founded as a Christian nation. The men who founded the legislature of our country had seen first hand the difficulties that church and state partnerships could create in Europe. The consequences of this partnership are the main†¦show more content†¦7, written by Oliver Ellsworth, who is also awarded for the creating the term â€Å"United States†. In this document Ellsworth plainly states the meaning and affects of the omission of religious tests for office to the general public. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence he spoke of â€Å"unalienable rights endowed by our Creator.† He used generic language that all sects would be able to respond to. Therefore, respect for religious pluralism gradually became more acceptable. Some founders, such as Patrick Henry argued in favor of tax support for Christian churches. But, that battle was lost when Jefferson and Madison helped pass the Virginia Statue for Religious Liberty in 1786 allowing religious freedom to all. This concept was carried over into the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. If a Christian nation had been the goal of the founders, our nation’s documents wouldn’t ensure religious freedom for everyone. Early presidential leaders understood that separation of church and state would be good for all faiths. Thomas Jefferson rejoiced about the religious freedom law, noting that it would ensure religious freedom for â€Å"the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo, the infidel of every denomination.† Even in the Treaty with Tripoli the United States stated that â€Å"the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion†¦Ã¢â‚¬  nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Today, many Americans say they have no religiousShow MoreRelatedChristianity : A Christian Nation1188 Words   |  5 Pagesof America being founded as a Christian Nation and the idea of Jesus being followed in America. America was and is Christian, still, but was not founded on Christianity. Fea does not answer the question regarding America being founded as a Christian nation (Fea 245). Prothero gives some opinion about Jesus in America, but says Jesus is viewed different in the eyes of many Americans (Prothero 9). As much as I want to think that America was founded as a Christian nation, I cannot agree with it. TheRead MoreIs America A Christian Nation?2305 Words   |  10 PagesThis paper is a book critique of The Godless Constitution. The first chapter of the book is titled â€Å"Is America a Christian Nation?† and it is an introduction for the rest of the book. In this chapter, the main idea is to open the reader’s mind about that the constitution was created wit h the idea that religious believes will not influence in the politics of the nation. The authors state that â€Å"The principal framers of the American political system wanted no religious parties in national politics†Read MoreThe United States As A Christian Nation1263 Words   |  6 PagesWas the United States Founded as a Christian Nation? Have you ever wondered why people in the American society think any kind of demonstrated behavior is acceptable? The Christian views once instilled in United States citizens have grown sparse today, in comparison to what they once were. Opinions of many people have changed concerning multiple issues. Many founding views were centered on Godly principles as portrayed in the U.S. Constitution, and as well as the Declaration of Independence. AsRead MoreThe United States As A Christian Nation1277 Words   |  6 Pagesfounded as a Christian nation. After all, our money is emblazoned with â€Å"In God We Trust,† our Pledge of Allegiance declares that we are â€Å"one nation under God,† and in court we swear to â€Å"tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.† It’s true that the Founders were heavily influenced by Christian ideals. And while the U.S. Constitution prohibits any religious test or requirement for public office, the majority of U.S. presidents have been openly Christian. Thomas JeffersonRead MoreIs America a Christian Nation Essay2043 Words   |  9 Pagesamong these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.† Thomas Jefferson wrote those words to express the emotions of a nation that desired freedom, and to shake the foundation of the British Empire. However, this simple, but eloquent phrase has sparked one of the greatest debates in American history. Is America a Christian nation? One question has divided the nation and its politicians since the founding and forming of America. This fiery debate has sparked more controversy than any other debateRead MoreAmerica s Identity Of A Christian Nation1234 Words   |  5 Pagestime, America could be seen as a culture vulture. As far as religion goes, there are several different ways to approach this question was America founded as a Christian nation? And should it pursue a unique identity of a Christian Nation? To answer this questi on thoroughly in my opinion, I felt that America wasn’t founded as a Christian nation along with other influences that were here first. The reason I say this, is because we use to have Indian tribes and they had their beliefs that seemed to alreadyRead MoreWas America Founded as a Christian Nation?927 Words   |  4 PagesWas America Founded as a Christian Nation? Was America founded as a Christian nation? This question to me is very ambiguous. I say this because there you can question exactly how you define specific words or phrases in the context of the question. One that sticks out to me is what they mean by â€Å"founded as†. I myself take this as â€Å"was it founded as a nation the was meant only to support Christianity†. To this I would have to disagree with what I have gathered from discussion and reading from FeasRead MoreLuther And The Christian Nobility Of The German Nation1396 Words   |  6 PagesIn Martin Luther’s To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, Luther writes to the German princes on the three walls that the Catholic Church uses to defend themselves from reform. Luther attacks all three walls for the power it gives to the Pope. His attack of the second wall, that only the pope can interpret scripture, is a tenant of Luther’s theology. The Lutheran belief of Sola Scriptura holds that only Scripture should be the source of all Christian practices, rather than doctrines declaredRead MoreA Christian Nation Through The Eyes Of A Son Of Indian Immigrants991 Words   |  4 PagesA Christian Nation Through the Eyes of a Son of Indian Immigrants Nobody can truly realize the influence Christianity has on daily life around the world quite like one who can be considered an â€Å"outsider†. My parents are Sikh immigrants from the Punjab region of India. Even being raised in a Sikh family, I was always familiar with the religion. Our school breaks were scheduled around Christian holidays, we said the Lord’s Prayer before all of our football games, and I was even taken to church, whereRead More Americas Founding Fathers Did NOT Create a Christian Nation5090 Words   |  21 Pagesof the mind, what one believes to be true either is true or becomes true. - John Lilly For years members of certain extremist organizations have been attempting to convince people that America is, or at least should be, a Christian country and was founded by Christian men. It should go without saying that this is, at best, revisionist history or, at worst, deliberate despicable deception. However, it does not. The discussion is necessary and has become more necessary due to the terrorist attacks