U.S. founded on Christian principles?

[Tara]

Do you think that the U.S. was founded on Christian pricinples? If so, why?

[dianaholberg]

All anybody has to do is read some of the writings of the Founding Fathers. Read their personal letters -- what an eye-opener...

[Tigress]

If the United States was founded purely upon Christian principles and Christianity, I doubt that the first ammendment would gaurantee freedom of religion, and 'God' would most likely have been more a part of the establishment of the ammendments, laws, and so on. Furthermore, anyone who's studied into Washington's life knows well enough that he was a Freemason. The religions of the others are subject to debate, though I think John Adams was a Unitarian, and Franklin a Deist. All believers in God, but not what many may consider to be Christian.

[dianaholberg]

"Freedom of religion" was included to forego a state church like that in Great Britain (Church of England). It had little to do with what we say it is today.

Back then, they didn't use the name of God as freely for fear of "taking the Lord's name in vain". They referred to "divine providence" a lot though. If you read the actual documents, you'll see it.

Lots of Freemasons were and are devout Christians.

See these quotes from John Adams... sounds Christian to me. I am especially struck by this one:

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Benjamin Franklin is very interesting... it would take a person several lifetimes I think to understand him. But he was definitely Christian. Here is one of his sermons. Like all his other writings it is lengthy, but notice that it ends,

To Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and made us priests to our God, be honor and power everlasting.

[Tara]

dianaholberg said:

"Freedom of religion" was included to forego a state church like that in Great Britain (Church of England). It had little to do with what we say it is today.

Well, I can agree with that. However back then, what religions were there? And soon after a few of the first colonies settled down, there was division in the church and I think that's how a lot fo the states started. At least I know Connecticut and Massechussetts started that way...I think

....

[dianaholberg]

Yeah, nearly all of the colonists were Protestants from various denominations. They weren't even very tolerant of each other before the 1700s.

On another line of thought... did you ever wonder why people testifying in our courts had to put their right hand on the Bible and swear, "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God"?

[Tara]

Yes, that's another thing... um, what if a Muslim who believes in the Qur'an or a Jewish person who only believes in the old Testament in our country were to do that? They don't believe in the Bible.

I don't think the Bible should be used anymore. Are there any written rules that one must swear on the Bible? I'm sure it can be changed now that other religions are recognized in our country.

Or better yet, why don't they have things from various religions. Like, they'd ask what religion you are so they know what to ask you to swear by.

But then again, one can always lie.

Forget religion...the point of that is to try to find something that the person takes to heart that they would be willing to swear the truth by. For most people, besides religion, it may be life. But then again, that may sound like a threat and/or an ounce of dictarotship (Saddam anyone?).

Maybe I'm wrong.

[dianaholberg]

Actually, I haven't noticed them using a Bible like that for years. They probably quit for some of the reasons you pointed out.

But it's one more piece of evidence for our Christian heritage as a nation.

[Tara]

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