Was our country based  on religious ideals?
970860
As written in Article 11 of the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli:\n\n"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 tranquillity, 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."
1077439
The United states was NOT founded on christian principles. George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson , to name a few, were Deists. " As the Government of the United States, is not, in any sense, founded on the christian religion" Treaty of Tripoli 1796. Read before and passed unanimously by the US  Senate. The founders wanted the wall between church and state  because of religious persecution.  They thought no one religion should be able to use the government to force their views on we the people. John Adams wanted it because he didn't want the government to corrupt religion and Thomas Jefferson didn't want religion to corrupt government. It seems they where both right. But alas this debate will go on forever.
834791
For many of us, tradition, morality, religion and superstition and sometimes even patriotism is all a jumble.  Everything is all tangled up together in an old  incomprehensible dusty mess of stuff we were told to do.  That's my impression of religion-- a human construct for socio-cultural purposes.\n\nSpiritual geniuses like Buddha, Mohammed and Jesus all came across the same immutable truths that we need to follow.  These truths sound simple at first-- don't kill each other, you're all interconnected, think about what your're doing, etc.\n\nOver they centuries the efforts at explaining and simplifying this have done quite the opposite, sadly, and have even been used as platforms for political agenda, prejudice and hatred.\n\nI like to tell people that I belong to the Church of the Good Person (just made that name up), which stresses not whom you believe in, but how kindly and fairly you treat each other.
1149737
Hi Reuben,\nWe as Americans have to understand that Christian morals form the foundation of American Judisprudance and American society. The founding men and women of this country also happened to be predominantly Christian. I am not religious myself, but I do believe that it will never be possible to eliminate the theme of religion from Government. \n\nI remember in public high school being alienated for objecting to saying the pledge of allegiance. I was branded anti-American. I objected because I did not believe in the phrase "under God." Nevertheless I was forced to recite the pledge. \n\nMy point is that Christians founded this country and Christians run it for the most part. Life just isnt fair sometimes. It's sad to believe that in the USA we must make compromises with our moral values to acomodate the majority. But when we come to the bottom line, it's not about who's interpertation of the constitution we will accept. It's all about who's making the laws. Who we vote for.
231232
Why does the God you describe have the same "with us or against us" attitude that Bush does? It's this simple. You can practice any given religion, without interference. That is your right. However, your rights stop where the rights of others begin. As everyone else has the same right, to practice any or no religion, you have no right to force your religion on them. God was inserted into our culture at a time when 99% of the people in it were christian. That is simply no longer the case, and equal rights must be upheld. By "erasing" God from our culture, we are not denying his existence, we are simply not affirming it. THAT is the middle ground. We're not saying that we know God doesn't exist, we're saying that we don't know that he does. As a nation. That is, some of us believe, and some of us don't, and some of us aren't sure. You have every right to believe in God, and worship him in any way you choose, within reason. But you do not have the right to demand that our government and our culture support your views over anyone else's. This is equality. The only way you could perceive it as an attack on your beliefs is if you want those beliefs forced on others, or the nation as a whole.
1133394
I think it's gone too far, this country is great because of God and for some reason we've forgotten that. It was founded on the belief that God wanted this country not on the idea that we had to make absurd exceptions based on political correctness.
718543
Religious or Secular approach?\n\nThe modern concept of government is either based on the principal of race or nationality or geographical identity.\n\nIn case of USA the only uniting force is man made constitution which is liable to be rejected by a section of masses.\n\nWhen religion is the base it has no fundamental dispute. In terms of psychology religion serves as Primitive Belief which is undisputed and common to all.\n\nI know that Islam permits fullest religious liberty for non-Muslims in the Islamic state. I believe that other religions must also be having this freedom.\n\nIn case of religion and government there is no distinction so no fundamental clash where as in other societies there must be clashes.\n\nGermany is one example of liberty from religion.\n\nSocialist USSR is another example of refusal to religion.\n\nIn some answers Iraq and Iran have been coded. As for Iraq of Saddam is concerned it was not a Islamic state rather a state of Muslim ruler under secular concepts of modern political philosophies.\n\nIsrael is one example of religious govt. but irony is that Jew-ism is based on race.\n\nIf there is no concept of religion in government than constitution will have to be made like religion as it happens in USA.\n\nA beneficial state may be only one which does not distinguish politics and religion, if it is not based on religion.
561683
No, America's foundation is not Christianity. It became influenced by Christianity, I don't know why since our forefathers were deists ...\n\nThe Treaty of Tripoli, approved by John Adams, states that "The Government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion".
1022258
Interesting that most people have said Nationalism, thats probably true if you're an American since we think we are so great. However in a global scale I think religion is more dividing than nationalism.
732583
This is a complex question but in short I think that most people still cling to the idea of us being a christian country because to say otherwise would indicate that we are a faithless nation. I think that the majority of people in the country still believe in God even though the traditional ways of worship have declined drastically.
322769
Our founding forefathers were Christians. This great country was built on Christian beliefs.  We will always be one nation under God and those whom that offends should GTFO & find another place to live.  I hear Bin Laden has room.\n\n"Funny how those who cry tolerance, refuse to tolerate and those who cry to be heard, refuse to listen."
589766
Christianity the official religion of the country\n\n... another article\nhttp://www.northvegr.org/lore/roas/000_01.php
34869
The country does not deny the concept of God or gods, however the US Government is in an interesting position on this.  They have the first ammendment, which forbids congress from making regulations that favor any particular religion.  What this means in the real world is that state- an federel- provided education MAY NOT impose any particular religous favor, such as reuiring prayer in school assemblies, or teaching any specific relious doctrines.\n\nIn a sense this is odd because the country was founded by people who were, along with other respectable traits, very religious men indeed.\n\nHowever, these people came to America in search of freedom to practice their relious followings.  If the governemt were to pass laws in respect of religious beliefs, all of what America stands for would be gone.  People would begin to flee the country in search of freedom, and America would collapse.\n\nRegardless of whether you personnally support the religious climate of this country, it would do you good to remember that the US still supports a great deal of liberty that other nations, gradually, are begining once again to steal from their people.
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.
667670
Religion is often used as a tool to mantain fear and the statu quo. It's not coincidence that the USA has both such a limited diversity of political ideas and such a high-degree of religious fanatism.
716870
Yes it does prove that. Also the belief that god wanted american's to have the country span from coast to coast. The american mentality was they were doing the "barbarians" (Natives) a favour by converting them and taking over their land.
317517
In one sense you bring up an interesting point.  Let me challenge you with a broader concept...\n\n...do our Laws reflect our Morality....or does Morality stem from the Laws we make each other abide by?\n\nIn their written series of civilization, Will and Ariel Durant made the point in the first book, "Our Oriental Heritage", that man did not need or make laws until he thought his neighbor needed them.\n\nThink on that a bit as you ponder your own question.\n\nIn my own personal opinion, I do believe that faith can and should inform public policy.  In a republic such as ours, we have agreed to abide by the majority, until a new majority comes into being.  And each new majority will bring its' own set of values.