Is America a Christian Nation Essay

I think that the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution did not think about the separation of church and state. At that given time I think that the main focus was getting away from the British government. I believe they were thinking if we can remove ourselves from under the British government we can make our own rules and run our states the way we see best fit. Not if we don’t focus on keep the main focus on strengthening our churches our government could be lost.

Since before the United States was founded, the ideals of Christianity have been integrated into the government in some way, shape, or form. In the early days of the Colonies, Christianity was the centerfold for all government affairs; however, after the constitution was ratified and deemed effective in the United States, the First Amendment was born. The first amendment states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (source). In the early life of the United States, the

Most people believe that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. After all, our money is emblazoned with “In God We Trust,” our Pledge of Allegiance declares that we are “one nation under God,” and in court we swear to “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 Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, two of our most famous presidents, however had no formal religious affiliations. Jefferson shunned orthodox Christianity at an early age and cut and pasted together a condensed version of the New Testament, removing most miracles and all references to Jesus’s divinity. He did, however, continue to believe in God as a precise, impersonal creator of the universe and its laws. Lincoln, on the other hand, spoke frequently of God during his presidency but never formally joined a church. Today, academics remain uncertain about whether or not he was a Christian as some aspects of his faith remain a mystery.

Summary: The division between church and state is a gray line that is often crossed and argued about. For example, Gwen Wilde, the author, argues that the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance requires people who do not believe in God to recite something they do not necessarily believe in. If a person chose not to say the full Pledge, including to utter the words “under God” they run the risk of being called unpatriotic. The author continually argues that the words “under God” add a religious doctrine that not all Americans believe in.

The United States Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, and Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802, are all important documents in our nation’s history and religion. These historical documents were the biggest influence in our country and they continue to shape our powerful nation. In comparing these documents, I will decipher the differences between what the signers of the Declaration of Independence and what the U.S. Constitution thought about the separation of the church and state.

Since the beginning of this great nation there has been a notion of the role of God and religious beliefs on which it was founded. The founding fathers were men of differentiating views on God and religion but the religious views that each held were important to the very principles and laws of the United States of America. An analysis of documents produced during the revolutionary era demonstrate the importance that God and their religious beliefs played in the independence of United States. To understand and see the importance that these religious ideals played in the independence it is important to understand what each founder’s religious ideology, how they developed this ideology

The most prominent piece of evidence for those that believe that this is not a Christian nation is Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli which states, ??the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion?? Source J. This treaty was read aloud to the entire Senate in 1797 and was unanimously approved. President John Adams announced it to the people and it was published in 3 well-know newspapers. According to Ed Buckner, Ph. D, in his speech ?Does the 1796-97 Treaty with Tripoli Matter to Church/ State Separation??, there was no record of protest to the articles within the treaty, Source G. It went without question, in this case, that the government held no religion whatsoever.

In 1639, the founding fathers who were puritans held two views which they wanted to establish in colonial America. They wanted to establish America as a haven of religious freedom as well as a Christian Nation. But in the centuries that followed there was a shift in the wording of the constitution. 150 years later George Washington swore to preserve the constitution which had been amended and there was no mention of God or divine Providence. America does not want to tell the world that it is Christian Republic but that it is a secular nation. (http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/i7500.html)

government and society. It has affected all of America's citizens in one way or another even to

The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes is correct, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl 1:9). It is especially true in America. Racial and ethnic divisions appear to be just as wide as they were during era of slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow. Within the past century, Christianity in America, particularly Evangelical Christianity has endeavored to address social issues like racism but unfortunately has been relatively unsuccessful. Evangelicalism, particularly white evangelicalism must expand their understanding of cultural engagement to include more than abortion and homosexuality. To be relevant, and maintain any semblance of integrity, evangelicalism must apply different strategies regarding racism, classism, justice, and equality. As an African American evangelical preacher, I believe that Scripture had more to say about liberation other than the famous words in Exodus, “Let my people go!” The question is how is an evangelical who is committed to the sufficiency of

Today, within American’s two main political parties, there are controversies over issues that were not relevant to early America. Today, Democrats and Republicans hotly debate issues such as second amendment rights, abortion, and gay rights. These issues touch upon deep moral beliefs. Slowly, our country has evolved into a self-centered, ungodly culture. Citizens have forgotten why America was founded in the first place, for freedom of religion, not to live freely without considering one’s fellow man. When America began her political career, the vast majority of United States citizens were united in the fact that they believed in God and were founded solely in Him. Our founding fathers sought to construct a united nation, “under God.” Worldly matters such as federal government and foreign relations were simply controversial topics, not based on one’s

The author's main purpose for writing A Myth of a Christian Nation is to explain how the world has claimed to be founded on christian principles but has neglected to see that this is a lie that we as christians and people in society have told ourselves to make it seem like we are “ one nation under God”. Boyd also focuses in on and introducing our role in the kingdom of God vs the kingdom of the world and our role in politics and society.

No. Although the Framers were Christian men, I do not believe that they based the constitution on Christian values. In fact, it gives all Americans the right to religious freedom. They were followers of the enlightenment and believed that each person should be able to choose religion for him or herself.

“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” And so finishes the Pledge of Allegiance for the United States of America. Whether or not a person would wish to identify our nation as a Christian one, there is certainly no doubt that the very oath that binds a person into serving it includes serving God. As it follows, many of our laws are centered around our understanding of the Bible, and the morality that can be gleaned from it. Even in our modern time, where the lines are becoming more and more blurred, eighty-three percent of Americans still identify themselves as Christian. A common national ideology is that our country has a favored nation status with God; thus it is our responsibility to ‘sow the

Fact 1.) I have never claimed that the U.S. is a Christian nation, nor have I claimed it is not a Christian nation. James Madison, the last of our Founders Fathers, died almost 180 years ago, we are unable to ask