Debate: Is the US a "Christian nation"?

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Is the US a "christian nation", as many US public figures say?

Background and context

Many say the "the United States is a Christian nation", in political speeches and in conversation generally. This is rooted, on some level, by the fact that the vast majority of the United States initial settlers were Christian, as well as by the fact that the predominant religion in America is Christianity. Yet, many question whether these professions of a the US as "a Christian nation" violate the principles of secularism and separation of Church and State upon which the US was founded. This debate has become particularly pointed in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in which tensions arose from predominantly Muslim Middle East and the predominantly Christian US and West, and in which more Americans began emphasizing the role of Christianity in their country.

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Founding: Was the US intended to be a christian nation by its founders?

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Yes

• The US was founded as a predominantly Christian nation. According to a 2001 census done by the United States Census Bureau, at the time of its founding the United States was 79.8% Christian, while 1.4% of Americans were Jewish, 0.6% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist, 0.4% were Hindu. There were a total of 5.2% Non-Christians in America at the time. Also the only President to ever be Non-Christian was Thomas Jefferson who was a Deist.

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No

• The Founders of America intended for the country to be a-religious. While the majority of the people in America were Christian, several of the founding fathers were Diests, and they wrote our founding documents without one mention of any specific god, let alone the Christian god.

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Swearing in: Does use of the Bible in swearing in ceremonies indicate this?

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Yes

• Elected leaders are sworn in on the bible.. It appears to be a christian nation as it can be clearly seen during the swearing in of United States presidents in which the Bible is used as the book that presidents swear upon.

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No

• US politicians are not obligated to use Bible in swearing-in. Elected officials have the option to use the Bible in swearing-in ceremonies. But, this is only an option, and is in no way an obligation. If they choose to use no book, this is acceptable. If they choose to use a separate religious book, such as the Quran, this is also acceptable. The idea is to ensure that an elected official "swears upon" something holy to them, in order to ensure that their oath of office is taken as seriously as possible.

• The United States very clear separates Church and State. It is in fact far from being a christian state as there is a clear division between the state and the church and is in no such way used in any laws or in carrying out justice in the court of law.

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Write Subquestion here...

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Yes

• God has overseen the growth of American power. God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

• The founding fathers of America believed in Christianity.

We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” – Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech

“In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” [Constitutional Convention, Thursday June 28, 1787]

In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."

In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."

These words of a principal founding member of the United States cannot be simply thrown into the wind. when considering this question.

"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." George Washington's Farewell Address.

“ We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all of our heart.” James Madison. While the last two quotes do not exact the Ideas of a Christian Nation, they do support the concept of a Government Not A-Religious, This also comes from the mouth of the author of the man plan for the constitution, the Virgina Plan, The very fact he signed his name to the parchment of the Constitution of the United States means he supports the Document and there for he believed it could succeed in the world,

there are many other quotations from various members of the Constitutional Convention.

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No

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External links

• "Is America a Christian nation?". The Week. April 7, 2009