Why does the U.S universally refer to the 2006, which is christian, when the U.S. has no offical religon?
397466
This called tradition... and then you can't omit everything, because that means anti-religion not just secularism.\n\nhaving some symbols that came from christianity or islam or judiasm or buddhism is not matter...but the matter is that you don't discriminate others or you establish a specific religion over others. or you restrain one or more.\n\nbut I agree, there are many things that makes no sense should be omitted like the necessity for oath or swearing in court... but you know it became tradition...\nthe year, hard to change and harmful to change it.
1003634
Because America is screwed and it was screwed from the beginning. We always have biased oppinions and the media uses that to it's advantage. Since there are more Christians in America then any other religion, they impinge that into our values. Not to mention America was orignally formed from people who came here to practice their religion freely.
632025
In America you can change your religion with or without proper reasoning.
583447
Nothing has been stripped away from you. You still have the freedom to practice your religion, as you choose.\nThat is the commonality that separates the U.S. from other cultures. FREEDOM. There are other countries that practice Christianity. That is not what makes the USA the country that it is.\nFreedom is what separates us from others. The freedom to practice Christianity, or Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, etc., or no religion.\nThe freedom to dissent, without being arrested or killed. The freedom to bear arms. The freedom to come and go out of this country, as we please. The freedom to pick and choose our own mates, or none. The freedom to have 0 children or 10 children. The list is endless in this country.\nAs with all "families", we bicker amongst ourselves. But, as with all families, we stand together and fight against outsiders. \nAnd please don't bring up Iraq as an example of not standing together. I don't think too many people would have objected if we had stayed with the original goal of pursuing Bin-Laden and Al-Queda (sp?).\nWe're still more united than you think.\nAs far as the concept of separation of church and state, this is not a theocracy, rather a democracy or republic, however you would like to phrase it. The government should not be "exclusive", but "inclusive". To espouse one particular belief would exclude a very large segment of the population. One should never be made to feel like an "outsider" in ones' own country. Not in the United States. The land of freedom.\nAs long as we still have the right to go to our respective churches (or none) and worship as we please, there should be no complaints.
968137
America has been secular for a long time. Consumerism is our true national religion.\n\nI don't think religion is growing, I just think that fundamentalist evangelical Christianity is becoming more extreme, visible, and well-organized.\n\nAlso, Americans are on average more stupid and ignorant than they have been in a long time- far behind the rest of the 'first world' in education and cultural literacy- so there is plenty of room for faith to fill in where reason is absent.
1048497
Actually, your assumption is wrong. Most of the people of the world believe in some kind of supreme being or an afterlife.\n\nAs far as politics goes, I have this to say: Our elected representatives and 'leaders' don't seem to represent ALL of their people. In the case of Geo. W. Bush, he brings a more radical Christian perspective with him to office. That dictates his stand on the war, gay marriage, etc. He is not fulfilling his duty by representing the whole of the United States. He, like many of his kind, use a "majority rules" attitude, thereby inflicting his ideals on those who do not share his beliefs.\n\nEver heard of "separation of church and state"? Do you know what that means and what that implies? In our above example, it means that the President, elected members of Congress and the Senate should not be bringing their own, personal religious agendas to the table. They should be working for the common good of ALL our country's people. \n\nLikewise, prayer does not belong in public schools. Note I said PUBLIC schools because they are funded by the government and not, say, the Catholic Church. Private schools are allowed to have prayer because they are entities unto themselves and are not funded by the public trust.\n\nAs for "In God We Trust": You should probably understand that our "Founding Fathers" were highly religious people. Puritans to be exact. As such, they founded the United States as the direct result of their persecution in England. It is archane (at best) to say, "In God We Trust" because not everyone believes in God. They may believe in Allah, Buddha, Earth Mother, or may not believe in a god at all. That doesn't make them wrong. It just makes them different.\n\nMany people (not all) believe the "God" should be removed from our currency, from the Pledge of Allegance because "God" is not something that all peoples of the United States believe in. Constitutional ammendments allow us our freedom of religion (and thereby LACK of religion), so why make everyone else do when they do not want to do. That's like saying that everyone should eat peanuts -even if they don't like them, or - more deadly - if they're allergic.\n\nAs for times changing, you're right. Times are changing. It always has and it always will. Hemlines, dancing, music, attitudes towards the human body - all of it. It's called progress. We've moved on from witchhunts and spirits into understanding multiple personalities, seizures, and other conditions we once thought to be the work of the devil.\n\nDon't fear change. Try to embrace it. Or at least try to understand it. You don't even have to like it. While it may not be best for you, it doesn't mean that it's wrong for everyone. Whether that mean believing in a god, our differing political views, or our belief in UFOs.\n\nI hope you try to adjust peacefully.\n\nBest of luck.
394087
Because the secret agenda is to "convert" everybody to Christianity.\n\nThe way Christianity operates specially in the US nowadays is through fear and to do as they say. In other words our leaders are manipulating the people in grounds of religious believes or "moral values".\n\nWe MUST respect everybody and their believes!!!!\n\nGOD has to be bigger than that.
511654
No, but the Republican party is sure touting that there is a war on Christianity to polarize certain groups because that will get them put into office.  There are also groups that think the US should be a theocracy but that is blatantly unconstitutional.  Sorry, it's a democracy where all of us have the same rights.
464785
America was founded on Christian beliefs. Are you suggesting that they close for a whole week? We are also a country of majority rule, and since the country is mainly Christian, majority rules. (Note, I am a non religous person)
699282
Great point! In fact, if America is such a God-Loving country, which I believe it is, why not say "God bless the world" considering the world is the most un-Godly place of all, not America. I think you just changed the way Im going to speak for now on, thanks!
504011
I regret I have to disagree. First of all , it doesn't mean just because you are Christian, you can neccessary be good. There is no relation betwen non corruption and Christian. Secondly, all the examples of problems cited occur in any country. The US is not alone in this. Thirdly, practices such as the death penalty and the conducting of wars are not neccessary bad. Just imagine what would have happen if the US didn't enter the Gulf War to drive the Iraqis from Kuwait. The balance of power will not only be changed in the Middle East, but the whole world.\n\nSo, having said this, I can't say the US is a corrupt place. Not completely anyway.
873616
Thanksgiving is an American holiday. That doesn't even cover a majority of Christians worldwide, let alone everyone else who calls someone "God".
408521
The word "christian" means literally "disciple of christ" or "christ-like"... look at the right-wing republican fundamentalists in this country who call themselves christian, then look at what Jesus actually taught. there is very little similarity....I consider myself a christian, but because of people like pat robertson, jerry falwell, fred phelps, etc. etc. etc., I'm embarrased to call myself a christian.
1027727
Yes, America is hypocritical in allowing some mentions of God in the political space. The reason America gets away with it is because the majority of the population believes in God, so it isn't offensive. I am an atheist and, while the word God doesn't necessarily offend me, it shows that our country is ignorant of other cultures. Which does offend me.
1094132
history shows that the usa votes christian. they wouldnt vote for the buddhist or muslim because of prejudice based on propaganda. i vote libertarian in hopes that they reach a million votes someday so they can be in the debates. the dems & repubs have run this country since day 1 & have done more harm than good. the things the rest of the world has always admired about us are innovations from people, the same innovations the government has always tried to stand in the way of or tax when successful. government doesnt give us our freedom, the fact we're alive does. the constitution & bill of rights are restrictions on gov power.
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!
523960
Muslims I am not certain about.  There is obviously no barrier for Christians since the vast majority of the world's Christains accept evolution.\n\nI don't think many Americans understand that outside of the US Bible-Belt nobody sees any conflict betwen Christianity and scientific thought. Go to England or Brazil or Ethiopia  and talk to Christains tehre and they consider it a complete non issue. Religion is religion, science is science and there is no conflict at all.\n\nThis percieved conflict is entirely a US phenemenon.