Because I'm tired of Christians saying that this is a Christian nation...
"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. "
-Thomas Jefferson
"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble...."
-Benjamin Franklin
From the Treaty of Tripoli:
"Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion"
There is more to a country being Christain than whats in the constitution
Uhuh...
Most of the population doesn't go to church, or repent The law seperates church and state Our flag has nothing Christian in it, Most of our leaders are moderates...
So what makes a Christian nation.
The population is mostly Christian, 77%, so if all Christians banded together, they could get anything done they wanted in this country. Is that enough definition of a Christian nation? There's freedom of religion, but that's probably your only argument the other way.
Sucks for you, most Christians don't really care about religion. Do you consider one who says they're Christian, celebrates Christmas and easter, and gets married in a Church but does nothing else Christian? Would those kinds of people try to do something against all other religions?
Remember, only fundamentalists care about what's being taught in schools, and if our laws should remain secular. They make up a small portion of the population.
So your definition of a Christain Nation is how the people act? Well the definition most of us argues is that this is a nation influenced by Christain ways. So we are argueing two different definitions.
1. Christian nation = Government influenced by Christianity Yes, we are a Christian nation. 2. Christian nation = Most of population is Christian Yes, we are a Christian nation. 3. Christain nation = Everyone is forced or pursuaded to be Christian No, in this case, we are not a Christian nation.
Sucks for you, most Christians don't really care about religion.
That is idiotic. Maybe you meant that most people who celebrates Christmas and Easter and gets married are not Christian? Either way, thats just plain dumb. Christians get married in churches. I doubt many non-Christians do too.
So yeah, you may not be forced to be a Christian, but we are a Christian nation in 2 out of the 3 definitions that I presented. I am still waiting for you to reply to what me and devoidless said.
That doesn't make sence. Catholics are Christians! Catholics are a sub group of Christians along with baptists and such. I hate when people seperate the two as if they are two different groups.
1. Christian nation = Government influenced by Christianity
Probably true, but could I have some examples?
That doesn't make sence. Catholics are Christians! Catholics are a sub group of Christians along with baptists and such. I hate when people seperate the two as if they are two different groups.
Tomato tomato (long a sound and short a sound) Personal preference?
I've happen to have been both before, and there is a big difference. Even the National census splits them up. But o well, whatever floats your boat/ makes you sleep at night.
I've happen to have been both before, and there is a big difference.
I hope you aren't saying Catholics aren't Christians. If you mean there's a big difference between Catholic Christians and non-Catholic Christians, I would agree, I've studied other Christian denominations. But Christians are all together in that they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
hmm yakooza what was really the point of this thread? no one is obviously winning here...huh sort of like all threads...you have your for and against...never really seems to end does it? And im pretty sure a thread on the forums isnt gonna change peoples mind. No thread has ever changed the way i look at things
Somers: I agree, but I go on these threads to get a taste of the opposition and to show my viewpoint to others as well. I don't think anyone really comes here with the intention of actually changing opinions, but debating is also kind of fun.
Yakooza, so far you have ignored page 7. You have not said anything explaining why what me and Devoidless said was not true.
By the way, 'Under God' was added during the cold war. ...170 years after the founding fathers...
AH HA! So there IS proof that at one point in time that this was a Christian nation (according to you)! The constitution is not the "nation" so stop using that as your only arguement please. Thank you.
I also must appolagize about the Christian/Catholic arguement. In one sense, they are the same. But legally, they are different. So I do appolagize for my error on that one note.
The reason for me not answering long posts is: A short attention span.
AH HA! So there IS proof that at one point in time that this was a Christian nation (according to you)! The constitution is not the "nation" so stop using that as your only arguement please. Thank you
Thanks for ignoring my other arguments about the founding father's beliefs, and the beliefs about the majority of the population. Besides, a religious organization effecting politics doesn't necesarrily make the US a religious nation.
hmm yakooza what was really the point of this thread? no one is obviously winning here...huh sort of like all threads...you have your for and against...never really seems to end does it? And im pretty sure a thread on the forums isnt gonna change peoples mind. No thread has ever changed the way i look at things
Then get out of the debates forum. Why do you even come here if you're going to bash the nature of the forum? Also, your experiences =/= the experiences of everyone else
That is idiotic. Maybe you meant that most people who celebrates Christmas and Easter and gets married are not Christian? Either way, thats just plain dumb. Christians get married in churches. I doubt many non-Christians do too.
They arn't hardcore Christian, as in they arn't very religious.
Although you do have a point about Christmas and Easter, it's affected American tradition a lot. Although now Christmas is just another
Monday: "20% off on our all new Halloween sale" Tuesday: "20% off on our all new post-Halloween sale" Wednesday: "20% off on our all new before-Christmas sale" (but holidays turning into another corporate payday isn't the point of the thread)
1. Christian nation = Government influenced by Christianity Yes, we are a Christian nation.
Well, most politicians believe in secularism. The only place you see Christianity in today's politics is in the Republican party(majority in neither house)
