Should the US be officially recognized as a Christian Nation by the Government?
109289
No. It would go against the idea of relgious freedom. Just because most of the population is christion does not mean it should be recognized. That would be like saying the US is a white Nation.
451864
George Washington said "“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion”\n\nI've never heard the quote you talk about. That being said, we have a "Christian" in office now, and look at the condition our country is in. I use the quote around "Christian" because I believe he is a false Christian. The last true Christian we had in office was Jimmy Carter, who is a great person, but a poor leader. True Christians do not have the pride, greed, or lust to be President.\n\nThe seperation of Church and State is not in the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, wrote of a "wall of seperation between church and state" in a letter to the Danbury Baptists. The Constitution states government shall "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
238761
I don't think there are many real Christians in this country. They call themselves Christians, but they want an eye for an eye. That is distinctly un-Christian. Real Christians can only be appalled at Bush's actions and policies, and any real conservative likewise. This is a President who is surrounded by people who want an absolute ruler, answerable to no one.
326701
Christianity in the United States is mostly devoid of the historical setting of Europe.  It tends to be shallow and focus on the externals rather than the interior life.  If it didn't, revivals wouldn't be so important here.  A European Protestant and an American Protestant are completely different animals.  The Anglican Communion is suffering through an heretical American Church that lacks the premises the Europeans enjoy.  The Lutheran Church in Europe probably wouldn't really recognize the Americans except loosely and all the others would be afraid of the Americans.  We do tend to be wacky.\n\nAmericans also are difficult as a people.  In the UK, loss of popular support results in the end of the government and new elections.  In the US, you can't fix mistakes easily or quickly so the role of popular power is different.  Elections occur at fixed intervals rather than when support disappears.  Likewise, because the Church is part of the organs of the state, it does not need to jockey for power as it does in the US.  If an evangelical minister wants to change something, they have to marshal a lot of power outside their own adherents.  This pushes religion into politics in a way that has nothing to do with morals or faith and everything to do with raw power.\n\nBecause education is of a lower quality in America, you have more juvenile discussions on religion.  Most Americans cannot tell you where Miami is.  A television show ran a petition here to end the woman's right to vote and only one potential signer realized what "woman's suffrage," was and got upset.  A majority of Americans, when asked if they would support amendments eliminating freedoms of speech, the press, fair and speedy trial and jury trial were for it when the phrasing was done in affirming ways.  For example, would you be for an amendment that prohibited people from saying "xxxx".  "Should the press be restricted to protect the government from...xxxx?"  "Should criminals be permitted to ...xxxx at trial?"\n\nRead the Yahoo! religion message boards and you will see the difference in literacy.  Most American "bible based" churches use little scripture compared to a Catholic or Anglican Church service, yet they cannot see the issue at all.  Everything that Luther could have feared about the Reformation is alive and well in the US.  Had he been able to look into the future and only seen US Protestantism, he would have burned the 95 Thesis.\n\nThe evolution debate in the US isn't is evolution opposed to Christianity.  It is really, although not stated, is evolution opposed to sola scriptura in extremis.
1106307
It depends on what you mean by "recognized."\n\nIf you mean that a religion is given freedom to be practiced in the USA by anyone who wants to practice it -- then Native American religions are already "recognized."\n\nIf you mean that a religion is given some sort of official status by the US government -- well, that never happens.  \n\nThe US government never formally sanctions or endorses ANY religion -- the US Constitution prevents it.  \n\nIt allows the free practice of any religion, while not officially endorsing or giving special treatment or privilege to any.
252468
You initial question asks about Christendom.  Christendom refers to the Christian world.  The United States today could certainly be considered part of "Christendom" in most cases.  That is not to say that there are non-Christians.\n\nAs for your question about what it means to be an American...You can interpret that one many different ways.  I don't want to do all of your homework for you!
589766
Christianity the official religion of the country\n\n... another article\nhttp://www.northvegr.org/lore/roas/000_01.php
1135762
I am in the right country. This country was founded on the principle of "all men are created equal", not Christian domination. I do agree that "PC" has gone too far. There is no law against wishing someone "Merry Christmas", it's companies that force the issue for fear of offending non-Christians.\n\nI agree with you on the "English as the National Language" point, but the government needs to step up to the plate on this issue, or it'll never happen.\n\nOn to the God issue:\nI am a Christian. I carry Christ's teachings with me in my daily life. I don't need it printed on my money, which, I feel, is an object of lust, therefore sacreligious. America is a "melting pot". Equal right for all regardless of religion, race or sex.\n\nThomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, two of our most prominent Founding Fathers, were Deists. Washington and Jefferson were not particularly religious but tended more toward Deism than Christianity.\n\nThomas Paine, whose writings were a powerful catalyst for the American Revolution, vehemently attacked Christianity in one of his works and refused to embrace Christianity, even on his death-bed.\n\nGod is not mentioned in our Constitution. The Declaration of Independence simply mentions "Nature's God" and a "Creator", neither of which specifically imply a Christian god.\n\nPer the Treaty of Tripoli, endorsed by President John Adams and ratified unanimously by the US Senate in 1797: "the Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion..."\n\nThis is the America I love, one where everyone is free to worship as they please without State interference. That is what the First Amendment to the Constitution is all about.\n\nOne last issue: the pledge. The Pledge of Allegience, as it was written in 1892, was "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty, equality and justice for all." "Equality" was removed and "under God" added. Coincidence?
851309
Oral Roberts said it best...."america is not a Christian nation, there are just a lot of Christians in it"\n\nthanks
260013
Has any one of you read the Constitution?\n\nThe term "separation of Church and State" is not a part of any document asssociated with the US Government.\n\nNot the Constitution.\n\nNot the Declaration of Independence.\n\nNot the Bill of rights.\n\nSooooo. . . .quoting "separation of Church and State" as a reason to make a legal decision is FRADULENT AND ILLEGAL.\n\nStill, you hear it all the time.  That's why it's an issue.
694761
You might do well to remember that the USA was founded on the separation of church and state.\nRemember this famous quote; "Freedom can be measured by the distance between the state and the church."
329646
The United States is currently going through a time where it is not sure of it's religion.  There is supposed to be religious freedom, but it is a Christian country.  I personally am a Christian and I think that is should be part of our culture as a Christian nation.  I'm sorry ur show isn't on.
150605
I think we all need to go back and read the Constitution. Most of you who are against Christianity just go off the crap you hear from other people. Read it. You will find no trace of the words "Separation of Church and State". And to the question.... Because If we werent being persecuted we would have reason to doubt the word of God. Jesus who was ultimate as God and everything good was ultimately executed  in this world. Good and Godly things and people will always be persecuted. Yes our founding fathers found this country with the idea that the government wouldnt rule the church. Because that is what they escaped. Unfortunately many people twist and squeeze the actual words of the constitution and threaten them to say "freedom of religion, as long as youre not christian." Atheists are allowed to be atheists at school, work, and play. Minority religions are accepted. But christians...... we have to hide who we are at work, school, and any public facility. The truth is that nearly 87% of America claims christianity, but only around 12-14 percent agrees that Jesus is God. Or that there is an absolute truth. Or that Jesus not only redeems us but reigns over us. We are to take His yoke upon ourselves. Many "christians" have widely accepted the idea of being saved from hell but reject the idea of yielding their lives to His lordship. Sad, sad, tragedy it is. For those are the ones to whom will say "But I have done great works in your name" and He will say "Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you!"......
600683
No. Government without religion is a cold, heartless government. We need religion to help with compassion and understanding, as well as infusing some much-needed morals into our officials. The US was founded on Christian principles, and nowhere in our founding documents does it say that religion is not allowed in government, only that the government cannot establish (ie: force on you) a religion. \n\nTo all those who will start blathering about "separation of church and state" please note that this phrase is NO WHERE in our documents. It is found in private letters written by Thomas Jefferson a decade after this country was founded.
837922
There is no such separation. It's not then the Constitution, the ESTABLISHMENT clause is. That prevents the Government for creating a church or saying this is the church of the United States.\n\nIf I remember right it was in the papers of Thomas Jefferson that first brought up the separation of church and state, I may be wrong, you can look it up if it's important.\n\nBut lets say a church does want federal money to provide a service to the community, say Meal on Wheels and do it at loss. That's to say the money they receive wouldn't cover the cost of the program. They decide that they would do it for their fellow man. A lot of people would say NO,  separation of church and state. I would say as long as they don't discriminate, don't discuss religion, don't wear their church uniforms if they have one, deliver the meal in an plain car marked with only Meals on Wheel, and agree to some, not a lot, of over site why not? Church's have almost always been able to deliver more aid cheaper then the government.\n\nA lot of people have taken this way too far. First it not in the Constitution and second if the rules are carefully written and any church is willing to follow them why not let them provide the service and fill the need?\n\nJust something to think about.
211226
Nothing.  In America there is seperation of church and state as long as it is presumed that christianity will always be included.
717078
It should be removed because it is not part of the original pledge...Eisenhower added it in the fifties to appease the Christian fundamentalists during the cold war, and separate us from the godless communists. The founding fathers would be p!ssed off if they knew what has happened to this country.